davidearls
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 p.1 #1 · Zuiko 135 f4.5 macro a gem | |
I've been shooting a lot of floral work with the Zuiko 135 f4.5 macro and the Oly auto bellows, and it has very quickly become one of my favorite lenses.
The 135 combines "standard" Oly low-contrast drawing with a less saturated color than what I see in other Olys and lenses from other manufacturers. If I had to draw a comparison to the world of painting, I'd say that where most lenses return color in oil-paint style (rich and saturated), the 135 draws in egg tempera style (delicate and flat). If you go back to your art history book and look at the exquisite illustrated manuscripts and panels created before the Renaissance, you'll see exactly what I mean.
With its deep-throated rear element, the lens will not attach directly to a camera. It's usable on both the telescoping extension tube and the auto bellows. It will stop down normally on the tube, but needs a cable release on the auto bellows.
Oh, and one more thing. It stops down to f45. Now, before the diffraction crowd chuckles into their sleeves, they should look at how exquisitely it renders flower petal textures at f45. No other lens I've ever used draws texture so delicately, and focus-stacks look almost garish compared to the 135 stopped down.
I got mine from KEH, an EX rated copy, for a whopping $159 (somehow I thought I'd paid a little less, but let's face it, there just isn't a whole lot less than $159). I'm happy to post images to this thread if desired, but if you look over on the N&W forum for some of my recent posts (Pinky Madam, Tangerine Dream, a Gladiolus, or the Iris shootout), the images are already there.
Would love to hear from others about their experiences with this lens. I think it's unique, and an absolute killer. My sense is that it would excel as a portrait lens as well, particularly with a patient poser. It likes its long exposure.
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