Macro and the 17mm F1.8 lens

[mgversion1]

Recently I became the proud owner of the Olympus 17mm F1.8 lens. I wanted it as a general purpose lens, as you might imagine. I had an idea, I wonder if my MCON-P02 would fit it? I checked the Olympus website and it does, it also does in real life too

I tried it out this morning and I think there is some potential. The close focus distance of the 17mm is usually 25cm but with the MCON-P02 it is half that, maybe a bit closer even (one day I'll check it more carefully). I feel it makes a big difference and could help you get some nice shots of flowers. This might be good for casual use, maybe for holidays because I don't usually take my 60mm macro lens on such trips.

I put a few example photos here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/kULXn7on4q3yWEVYA
It's Google Photos so it downsizes and it's just a quick selection from a few minutes this morning - don't expect much! When I took the photos they are all JPEG, no post-processing at all. GX80, handheld.

By the way, I think the MCON-P02 deserves more airtime. Years ago I was using it a lot with my 45mm F1.8 lens. I wrote the following article:
https://mgxp.blogspot.com/2015/09/olymp ... erter.html

[mgversion1]

Just in case anyone is interested...

Since last August my initial enthusiasum has waned. The MCON-02 does work well with the 17mm f1.8 but I don't think it helps enough to warrant the extra USD 90 or so it costs, it isn't that good. If you have both the 17mm and 45mm f1.8 lenses, then yes, it is worth it because when you use the MCON-02 with the 45mm it makes a lot of difference.

I recently wrote an article on the Olympus 17mm f1.8 and my impressions. I discuss close up photography and the MCON-P02 there.
https://mgxp.blogspot.com/2021/04/olymp ... -four.html

[Rob Trek]

Great article on the 17mm and I agree with your conclusions.

Have you tried comparing the MCON to extension tubes?

[DeMorcan]

Thank you for sharing your blog. I also saw the link in it to the 25/1.7. I agree with what you said about that lens. It was so much better than the kits lenses. Although once I got the 12-60, I no longer needed it for sharp good light photos. I did bookmark your blog.

[GearHead]

I read your great and thorough reviews of the Oly 17mm f1.8.
I was surprised that you purchased a new one for $230. Wow! It is still $499 at Olympus and on sale at B&H for $449. I thought I was fortunate to get it for $50 off! Four years later it is still my go to lens.

[edjuh]

That's indeed a good read.
I saved it as a pdf ( just in case )

[mgversion1]

Thanks to all for the comments. I am glad if my articles on my blog have been a help or of interest.

I am still using my Oly 17mm f1.8 quite a bit. I am not doing much macro with it though! But it was fun to experiment.

[mgversion1]

I read your great and thorough reviews of the Oly 17mm f1.8.
I was surprised that you purchased a new one for $230. Wow! It is still $499 at Olympus and on sale at B&H for $449. I thought I was fortunate to get it for $50 off! Four years later it is still my go to lens.

I really was lucky with that deal last year. I haven't seen it so cheap since and there have been a few Olympus discounts.
I live in Switzerland and the usual price for the 17mm f1.8 is about CHF 380 (incl. 7% sales tax). Today, CHF 380 is about USD 416. So it is perhaps cheaper here than in the US.