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 ViewProvides real-time preview on the LCD screen.
Articulated LCD screenMore convenient viewing with the camera low down, or pointing down on a microscope or a copy stand.
Remote Live ViewMakes the Live View image available on a computer to check focus and exposure, and allows the camera to be operated from the computer.
Silent modeSignificantly 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 sensorMakes 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 ViewArticulated
LCD
Remote
Live View
Silent
mode
Sensor
Canon EOS 5D Mk IIYesNoYesYesFF
Canon EOS 7DYesNoYesYesAPS-C
Canon EOS 40DYesNoYesYesAPS-C
Canon EOS 50DYesNoYesYesAPS-C
Canon EOS 60D***YesYesYesYes***APS-C
Canon EOS 450DYesNoYesYes**APS-C
Canon EOS 500DYesNoYesYes**APS-C
Canon EOS 550DYesNoYesYes**APS-C
Canon EOS 600DYesYesYesYes**APS-C
Canon EOS 1000DYesNoYesYes**APS-C
Canon EOS 1100DYesNoYesYes**APS-C
Olympus E-3YesYesNoNo4/3
Olympus E-30YesYesNoNo4/3
Olympus E-330YesYesNoNo4/3
Olympus E-420YesNoNoNo4/3
Olympus E-520YesNoNoNo4/3
Olympus E-620YesYesNoNo4/3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1YesNoNo4/3

** 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.

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Created 8th October 2008   —   Updated 24th June 2011
Copyright © 2008–2011 Alan Wood

Olympus OM system close-up and macro equipment