Olympus OM system close-up and macro equipment

Lieberkühn Reflectors

Introduction

Olympus has a well-deserved reputation for innovation in macrophotography, but has here adopted an invention from the 1700s, the speculum of Dr N. Lieberkühn, which used a flame as its light source. The speculum, now called a reflector, is designed to reflect a parallel beam of light and focus it onto the subject. The Olympus version is made of aluminium with a semi-matte finish.

Lieberkühn Reflector PM-LM-38

Olympus OM Lieberkühn Reflector PM-LM-38 (with Zuiko Auto-Macro 38 mm f/2.8 and Shade Stage Plate PM-LM-SP)

There are two models, the PM-LM-20 for use with the Zuiko Macro 20 mm f/3.5 lens and the Zuiko Auto-Macro 20 mm f/2 lens, and the PM-LM-38 for use with the Zuiko Macro 38 mm f/3.5 lens and the Zuiko Auto-Macro 38 mm f/2.8 lens.

Lieberkühn Reflector PM-LM-38

Olympus OM Lieberkühn Reflector PM-LM-38

Light from the Trans-Illuminator is reflected by the Centering Mirror in the Trans-Illuminator Base, passes upwards through the transparent area of the Shade Stage Plate, and is then reflected down by the Lieberkühn reflector, onto the subject, which rests on one of the opaque interrupter plates in the centre of the Shade Stage Plate.

Shadowless lighting with Lieberkühn Reflector

  PM-LM-20 PM-LM-38
Compatible lenses Zuiko Macro 20 mm f/3.5
Zuiko Auto-Macro 20 mm f/2
Zuiko Macro 38 mm f/3.5
Zuiko Auto-Macro 38 mm f/2.8
Fitting 21 mm clamp-on 32 mm clamp-on
External diameter   67.8 mm
Internal diameter   18.0 mm
US catalog no. 104-200 104-201
Introduced 1972 1972
Discontinued   2002

Versions

Only one version of each model is known.

Instruction leaflet

Instructions were not provided with the Lieberkühn Reflectors.

Send comments or questions to Alan Wood

Unicode Encoded
Created 18th May 2001   —   Updated 20th July 2005
Copyright © 2001–2005 Alan Wood

Olympus OM system close-up and macro equipment