Olympus OM system close-up and macro equipment
Going digital
None of the digital SLRs have a macro system that approaches the one that was available for the Olympus OM, and so there is considerable interest in making the old Olympus equipment work with a modern, digital SLR body.
Adapters that allow normal lenses to focus to infinity are only available for 2 systems – Canon EOS and Four-Thirds, which has bodies from Leitz, Olympus and Panasonic.
None of the early digital SLRs had viewfinders and focusing screens that were well-suited for use with macro equipment, but more recent models have introduced features that are proving useful, including:
| Live View | Provides real-time preview on the LCD screen. |
|---|---|
| Articulated LCD screen | More convenient viewing with the camera low down, or pointing down on a microscope or a copy stand. |
| Remote Live View | Makes the Live View image available on a computer to check focus and exposure, and allows the camera to be operated from the computer. |
| Silent mode | Significantly reduces vibration when used with Live View. The mirror is already up, and an electronic first shutter curtain removes the need for any mechanical action when the exposure starts. |
| Full frame sensor | Makes full use of the 36×24 mm image produced by OM lenses, instead of cropping to APS-C (22.2×14.8 mm) or Four Thirds (17.3×13.0 mm) |
The ideal digital SLR for macro and photomicrography would have all of these features, and be affordable, but this is what appears to been available up to mid 2011:
| Live View | Articulated LCD | Remote Live View | Silent mode | Sensor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS 5D Mk II |  |  | | | FF |
| Canon EOS 7D | | | | | APS-C |
| Canon EOS 40D | | | | | APS-C |
| Canon EOS 50D | | | | | APS-C |
| Canon EOS 60D*** | | | | *** | APS-C |
| Canon EOS 450D | | | | ** | APS-C |
| Canon EOS 500D | | | | ** | APS-C |
| Canon EOS 550D | | | | ** | APS-C |
| Canon EOS 600D | | | | ** | APS-C |
| Canon EOS 1000D | | | | ** | APS-C |
| Canon EOS 1100D | | | | ** | APS-C |
| Olympus E-3 | | | | | 4/3 |
| Olympus E-30 | | | | | 4/3 |
| Olympus E-330 | | | | | 4/3 |
| Olympus E-420 | | | | | 4/3 |
| Olympus E-520 | | | | | 4/3 |
| Olympus E-620 | | | | | 4/3 |
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 | | | | 4/3 |
** The Canon EOS 450D (Rebel XSi), EOS 500D (Rebel T1i), EOS 550D (Rebel T2i), EOS 600D (Rebel T3i), EOS 1000D (Rebel XS) and EOS 1100D (Rebel T3) do not have a selectable silent mode, but this feature is included and is permanently on when Live View is selected. More information from Charles Krebs and Canon USA.
*** The Canon EOS 60D has been reported to have a vibration problem in silent mode.
Most of the Olympus equipment can be fitted to a Canon EOS or Olympus E-series body using readily-available adapters. One exception is the Auto Bellows, because the long release lever on the camera body mount hits the protruding pentaprism on the EOS and E-series bodies. For the EOS 40D, this problem can be fixed by using a 14 mm extension tube, while the EOS 5D MkII needs only a 7 mm tube. Most Olympus E-series bodies also need a 7 mm extension tube when used with the Auto Bellows, although the E-1, E-300 and E-330 do not need a tube.
Send comments or questions to Alan Wood
Created 8th October 2008 — Updated 24th June 2011
Copyright © 2008–2011 Alan Wood