Hi Martin:
I don't recall saying the 50mm f/3.5 Zuiko:
"doesn't seem to perform so well."
Quite to the contrary. At optimum aperture I haven't seen anything better in
the Zuiko lineup. On the other hand, it doesn't hold performance across all
apertures, which is typical of the optical formula. But you have the 50mm
f/1.8 for shooting in the f/1.8 to f/5.6 range. I used the 50mm f/3.5 for
years as a field botanist and it's a great lens. Compact as all get out,
offers f/22 in a pinch, great corner performance for landscape work. I miss
that lens.
Rule out using the 35-105mm for serious macro work. Zooms consistently do
poorly in macro range and, I recall, the Popular Photography test proved that.
Getting auto extension tubes would set you back from your goal of picking up
a 50mm f/3.5 While you could then use the tubes with the f/3.5, they
required that the lens helical be racked all the way out to kick in close
focus aberration correction. That limits their usefulness, in my opinion.
But the 25mm one is probably good to have around for those times when you
just got to shot at 1:1 I'd be more inclined to get the lens first.
Warning: you will eventually be eyeing the 80mm 1:1 and Telescoping Auto
Tube.
:-)
Gary Reese
Las Vegas, NV
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