I'm looking at the specs for the olympus 4/3 macro lenses on B&H. Under magnification, for the 50mm f/2.0 macro, it states:

1:2 (1:1 35mm equivalent)

I thought I understood what lifesize (1:1) meant in that the image on the sensor is the same size as the real life object; therefore, 1:2 means the image on the sensor is half the size as in real life.

So, what does it mean to have a 1:1 in 35mm equvalent? Isn't lifesize on the sensor/film the same regardless of the sensor/film size? Is this some sort of marketing thing?

TIA,
Evan

What they mean is that the smallest subject size with which you can fill the frame is as with a 1:1 macro in 35mm format. To be precise, 1:2 in 4/3 fills the frame with a subject about 26x35mm, whereas 1:1 in 35mm fills the frame with a subject 24x36mm.


But the 4/3 macro lens I like most is the new, cheaper 35/3.5 1:1 macro, which can fill the 8MP frame of an E-500 with a tiny 13x17.3mm field. Smaller pixels have their advantages for us bug photography fans!

I kind of figured that's what they were getting at. I also agree that the 35mm macro seems to be the way to go for the mag and the price difference. We just received a bunch of the E500s at work and they seem to be very nicely set up.