- m4/3 coverage
- autofocus
- 14 elements in 10 groups, 1 aspherical, 1 ED element
- 7-blade aperture diaphragm
- smallest aperture is f/22
- 46mm filter ring
- .5" (.15m) minimum focus, 1:1 magnification ratio
- 2.46" (62.5mm) long, 2.48" (63mm) diameter
- 8 ounces (228g) weight
- included lens hood, storage bag
- price US$720
- Model Number H-ES045
Thom's Mini Review: An expensive, dedicated macro lens. I wanted to like this lens, but I kept finding that it didn't live up to my expectations in a couple of areas. Optically, it's excellent, exactly what you'd expect from a Leica-designed lens (and unlike the 25mm f/1.4). I had no problems with it in the optical arena, and it produces excellent macro results, too. The problem is focus. It's a slow-to-focus lens in my experience, and a temperamental one when used with continuous autofocus. Manual focus on the current crop of m4/3 bodies doesn't exactly excite me, and for macro work, getting precise manual focus is also high on the list of desired traits. Generally, I felt I was often fighting to get the focus point I desired with this lens, and that struggle increased the closer the focus point. So the question becomes one of price versus expected performance, and I think this current iteration fails. Perhaps with the GH3's faster autofocus I may change my opinion here, but for the current crop of m4/3 bodies I just felt this lens under delivered on its promise, especially considering its price. Excellent build quality. Not Recommended
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