LUMIX G Macro Lens, 30MM, F2.8 ASPH, MIRRORLESS Micro Four Thirds, MEGA Optical I.S, H-HS030 (USA Black)

I had considered buying the Panasonic 30mm f2.8 macro lens earlier, but since I already had several lenses that worked very well with various two-element achromatic close-up lenses attached, I hesitated at the original price. When the price briefly dipped considerably, I eagerly bought this rather nifty little macro lens. My first impression was that it was very good - but the first sample I got was slightly softer left to right in the frame, with a lower right corner that was a bit soft even at mid stops, so I returned it for an exchange. The second sample of this lens was well-aligned and very good to the corners even wide open at f2.8 (this is unusual...). Additionally, this lens has unusually low out-of-focus CA, something VERY desirable with a macro lens. Also, this lens is very good with infrared photography, which most lenses are not. As others have mentioned, as a result of having a short focal-length (for a macro lens), when focused nearly or at 1:1 (with a 17.3x13mm field coverage at 1:1), the front of the lens is VERY close to subjects! All things considered, at full retail price, this lens is a good buy, and at the price I paid, I consider this lens to be one of those lucky "steals"...! Highly recommended! More lens reviews (with samples) are here: http://www.david-ruether-photography.com/MFT-Lenses.htm --DR

I ordered this lens a month or more ago, and it came yesterday, so this is not a long term use review. I have put it through its paces though and can give an opinion. If you want a lens that you can use to take pictures of tiny jumping spiders that are so detailed you can see the hairs on their bodies and all of their eyes; this is not the lens for you. If you want a macro lens for getting better close up shots of flowers and small objects, and that you can use without a tripod then this lens deserves a look. This is probably not the best lens for butterflies and other larger insects though unless you find some that don't mind having the lens pushed rather close to them. On my GX7 set for auto white balance colors are rendered accurately in daylight and with an external diffused flash attached to the camera. I do have various close up filters and extension tubes that can be used for macro photography, and enjoy using them, but this is much more convenient as it can focus both close and far away. The instruction sheet says because of the focus range is from around four inches to infinity the lens may focus slower than some. It might, but so far focus speed has been fine. Pros Stabilized Simple Easy manual focus Accurate color rendering Short focal length allows for hand held macro photography Con No included lens hood. Which may not matter for macro work but would be nice for general use. A screw in hood will work I'm sure. Edit: the pictures I attached did not stick for some reason. Sorry. They looked nice. As will yours.

Very good sharpness and the ability to get true 1:1 magnification is nice. It's compact, it's lightweight and I find myself using it more than I thought I would (not just for macro shots).

No idea why, but i can't add pictures. I click on the option and my review just submits instead. I would have shown images of pixels on my 4K monitor and close up images of a circuit board. I have had this lens less than 1 hour now. First impressions: 1. This lens is NOT a zoom lens. If you want to pull in something far away, get something else. It has no zoom function at all. 2. What it does do is focus on everything. I got good focus on less than 1" away or across the yard or miles away, the lens quickly brings it all into focus. If you need a lens with highly flexible focal ranges, get this lens. I did a test. Focus at the wall from 1" and then at the mountains many miles away and back again. It took 1 maybe 1.5 seconds from extreme to extreme before it was focused...VERY NICE! You barely hear the focusing motor in a very quiet setting. Maybe like with some video cameras, it's own mic will pick up the focus motor, but I barely hear anything with total silence around me. So far so good. I take a lot of pictures and video of very close things and at less than 2 feet max. I need very near focal ranges.

I've been using a 40 year old 55/3.5 Micro-Nikkor and a stack of adapters on my MFT cameras while waiting for a lower priced macro lens to come out. When I saw this one for under $300 and read the reviews, I decided to quit waiting and buy it. As you can see from the photos below, I'm still getting used to how this lens focuses, and controlling the depth of field, but overall I'm very pleased with it. Sharpness and contrast are excellent for a camera in this price range, and you can get larger than 1:1 images if you get close enough. The autofocus has problems locking on to a small object that's some distance in front of a background, but you can use manual focusing to get around that. All the photos below were shot hand held, so you can expect sharper images and better control of focus if you use a tripod. At 30mm, the effective focal length is close to that of my trusty old Micro-Nikkor, which is to say it's good if you can get very close to your subject. I'd really like a longer focal length, both to be able to get close ups of subjects that are farther away and for the reduced aberrations that come with increased focal length (Nikon's sharpest lens was the 105 Micro--Nikkor). I image that eventually I'll save my pennies and buy the Olympus or the Leica/Panasonic, but for now I'm very happy with the results I'm getting from this lens.

Very sharp, but narrow DOF even at larger apertures (maybe that's an inherent quality of all macro lenses; I don't know)

great lens for taking pictures of jewelry def worth the upfront investment. it even works with the autofocus on the camera if i click the button to take a picture it automatically focuses. better for close pictures but no complaints so far

Even though it's a macro lens. I think it's great lens for both landscape and close-up. Images come out clear & crisp. Most importantly, the OIS feature of Panasonic lens makes all the difference in the world if you're also using a Panasonic body. (My sample images here were taken with a Lumix DC-G95)

Cet objectif donne des photos très claire comme on peut le voir sur la photo incluse. ce chocolat est pourtant très petit et pourtant la netteté est impeccable. Je le recommande!

Got premium build quality (metal barrel), but doesnt come with a hood. While the ommission of hood makes sense as it cud be an obstruction to getting really close. However, the chances of the lens getting a bit of scratch is high. Light and compact. Can be used for portrait. Good addition for my mft collection.

Paired with a Panasonic G9ii, this lens never leaves my body. I throw this combination in a drawstring pouch and throw it in my bag with the Leica 15mm. Optics near flawless, colour rendition is rich and micro contrast is as good as full frame glass. Only gripe is that the focus ring is a bit stiff but the autofocus on this lens is so quick that I never use it.

Bought the lens for digitizing old slides. Does a great job. Very pleased. Great sharpness in the slides and in test shots of other close up objects.

Sharp , great for doing unique videos of small objects