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The unrivalled next step in macro

Review: OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko 90 mm 1:3.5 macro

It's what we've all been waiting for: a new macro lens for the Micro Four Thirds system that is supposed to set a new standard in the PRO line for demanding macro photographers, promising among other things unsurpassed weather-resistance, a sophisticated autofocus and unprecedented maximum magnification. Can the new OM System M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5 live up to these expectations? In a word, yes; in fact it actually surpasses them!

The M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5 is the newest addition to the range of OM System lenses suitable for the Micro Four Thirds system. It therefore also works very well with the professional OM-1 camera and all earlier Olympus models. This lens is the third macro lens to be made available as part of the Olympus and OM System range, after the m.Zuiko Digital 60 mm 1:2.8 and the m.Zuiko Digital 30 mm 1:3.5.

The new M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5 is part of the PRO series and can truly be called an all-rounder, with the best build quality, the best internal lenses, perfect image stabilisation and a fantastic autofocus – properties shared by all PRO lenses in the Olympus and OM System range. It is the first macro lens in the PRO series and is intended for serious amateur and professional photographers who want to get the most out of their macro and close-up photography without making any concessions.

Build quality

It should come as no surprise that the build quality of this new M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5 is very good. As with every PRO lens, this macro lens has been finished down to the finest detail, with a mostly metal casing and high-grade coatings on the lens that guarantee perfect image quality. And all that quality is packed into a lens that, according to our scales, weighs just 512 grams – around 20% lighter than macro lenses for other systems.

Naturally the lens also has numerous seals and, thanks to its IPX1 and IP53 weather resistant construction, is splash, dust and frost resistant, meaning you won’t have to avoid challenging conditions. The front element has a special fluorine coating that makes it much easier to clean and to keep clean. The lens is supplied with lens caps and a sun hood. The filter size is 62 mm.

OM-1 • M.Zuiko ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO

Maximum magnification

A macro lens needs no explanation: it is intended to capture the smallest subjects in precise detail. What magnification this can be done up to is indicated by the magnification ratio, which for a normal macro lens is 1:1, i.e. the subject can be captured at its actual size by the camera using that lens. The 1:1 magnification ratio is the benchmark for just about every serious macro lens. But the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5 is not your usual lens, so it goes a whole lot further. True macro photographers will savour the fact that this lens can go far beyond 1:1 magnification, allowing us to take more extreme macro photos at even higher magnifications.

The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5 has a standard magnification of 2:1, but converted to a 35 mm equivalent that comes out at 4:1, meaning a subject can be captured at up to four times its actual size. With the 60 mm macro from Olympus, the maximum magnification was ‘only’ 1x. The new OM System M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5 therefore outdoes the 60 mm macro by a factor of four.

Although photography gets increasingly difficult at these sort of extremes, it’s good to know that the integrated image stabilisation and smooth focusing offer unprecedented and welcome aid. This means that the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5 makes it possible to achieve extreme magnification without compromising on the excellent image quality.

OM-1 • M.Zuiko ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO • 1/125 s • F4 • ISO 400 • Focus Stack

OM-1 • M.Zuiko ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO • 1/500 s • F5.6 • ISO 200 • FL-900R

OM-1 • M.Zuiko ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO • 1/40 s • F4 • ISO 1600

OM-1 • M.Zuiko ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO • 1/250 s • F5 • ISO 1600 • Focus Stack

Even greater magnification: teleconverters

A brilliant choice! OM System has made it possible to use the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5 in combination with the Olympus MC-14 and MC-20 teleconverters, with which you can increase your magnification by a further factor of 1.4x or 2.0x respectively. So, if we use an MC-20 teleconverter with the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5, we get an actual magnification of 4x, which delivers an incredible 8x when converted to 35 mm equivalent. This level of magnification and the teamwork between lens and teleconverter is not only unique but also, we would say, revolutionary. Taking photographs at unprecedented magnification has never been so easy.

OM-1 • M.Zuiko ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO

Focusing

The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5 has an excellent autofocus – quiet, but most importantly fast. And that speed is significant. The extreme magnifications that the lens is capable of require an accurate focus, and in most cases the more accurate the focus, the longer it takes. But not with this lens. It combines perfect speed with effective precision, whether you're close up or further away from your subject.

To make focusing even simpler, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5 has a focus limiter, with which you can easily define the focus range. This allows the autofocus to work even faster within the defined range.

OM-1 • M.Zuiko ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO

The shortest focus range is found in the Super Macro setting, with which focusing is possible at a distance of 22.4 cm, measured from the sensor. In practice, this means you can photograph subjects 5 to 6 cm in front of your lens in order to achieve these extreme magnifications. But you don’t have to, of course. The advantage of a 90 mm macro lens is that you can stay further back from subjects such as insects. At a distance of 33 cm, you still have a 1:1 magnification. This makes it a perfect lens that offers you flexibility in your work. In our practical trials, this versatility was fantastic. Butterflies, caterpillars and ants – all captured without breaking a sweat.

As noted, the autofocus is fast and accurate, while also being smooth and quiet. Nonetheless, many macro photographers still prefer to work using manual focusing, and sometimes there is no other choice. Just like all the PRO lenses, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5 therefore has a sliding focus ring, also known as the MF clutch. You simply slide this backwards and forwards in order to quickly switch between automatic and manual focusing. We found the width of the focus ring to be excellent. It's easy to grip and feels nice and robust. The focus ring also slides very smoothly.

OM-1 • M.Zuiko ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO

Image stabilisation

The risk with extreme magnification is that it becomes difficult to hold your camera still. When using the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5, you can leave your tripod out of the equation in situations where you would normally reach for it. The image stabilisation in the lens, together with the image stabilisation in each OM-D or OM-1 camera, provide enough tools to allow you to shoot by hand, even at maximum magnification. You can therefore stay agile and flexible, making macro photography a lot more fun! The 5-axis image stabilisation is beneficial up to an impressive 7 stops.

Image quality

The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5 has unprecedented image quality of the level you could expect from a PRO lens, with no chromatic aberrations or vignetting. Details are captured with unbelievable clarity – you can count the hairs on an insect’s leg. It is clear that OM System wanted to achieve the best of the best, without entertaining any idea of compromise. Colours are perfect and contrasts pleasant.

Compatible with Focus Stacking

Focus Stacking is a technology beloved of macro photographers who want to add even more sharpness and a greater depth of field to their images. That is why Olympus and OM System already include the Focus Stacking and Focus Bracketing features in their modern cameras. The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5 is no exception, and the accurate focus in combination with image stabilisation means it's even possible to apply these techniques manually.

OM-1 • M.Zuiko ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO • 1/100 s • F4 • ISO 1000

OM-1 • M.Zuiko ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO • 1/250 s • F4 • ISO 125 • Focus Stack

OM-1 • M.Zuiko ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO • 1/100 s • F5.6 • ISO 2500 • Focus Stack

OM-1 • M.Zuiko ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO • 1/125 • F4 • ISO 320

Conclusion

The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5 is an unprecedented piece of equipment that will make the heart of any macro photographer beat that little bit faster. Perfect build quality and peak optical performance make this lens one of the very best macro lenses on the market. The versatility offered by magnification of up to 2x or even 4x in combination with a teleconverter enables almost any kind of macro or close-up photography. Image stabilisation, a fast, limitable autofocus and a simple method of switching to manual focus make the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 90 mm 1:3.5 a great lens to work with. And it should go without saying that the image quality is as good as it gets!

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About the author

TomReuvers

Tom Reuvers is a dutch photographer, who started in 2009. His art of photography can be found in his special photographs of concerts and festivals on the planet, including concerts of Eurovision Song Contest finalists Douwe Bob and Ilse DeLange and also some of the biggest names in music like Franz Ferdinand, Nick Cave, Lumineers, Chrystal Fighters, Slayer, Di-rect, Jan Akkerman, Jake Bugg and Miles Kane. Most of his work is published by Cortonville and VPRO 3VOOR12. As a permanent member of the biggest online concert & festival website FestivalInfo.nl, he travels around to shoot the greatest shows in The Netherlands. Beside concert photography, Tom Reuvers is active as a portrait photographer and works on several projects.

The last years Tom has becoming more and more active in nature photography. He loves macro photography, landscapes and birds. Tom Reuvers wrote more than 12 educational books about photography.

Tom Reuvers is also known for his workshops and trainings. Tom Reuvers is official OM SYSTEM Ambassador.

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