3 Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Olympus Micro Four Thirds Users

Christmas is coming, and if you are wondering what to buy as a gift for that friend/relative/family who is an active user of Micro Four Thirds system, and I am making a short list of 3 items which might just be the perfect gift. 

I acknowledge that there are so many gift ideas available already, such as lens pouch, stylish neck straps, memory cards, spare batteries, tripods, camera bags, and the list goes on and on. Nevertheless, these are very specific gifts that can actually significantly add versatality and functionality to that photography enthusiast who particularly use Olympus system, and the best part of all, these gift ideas do not cost an arm or a leg. 

1) Olympus Macro Converter MCON P02
Cost: USD50

A shot taken with M.Zuiko 25mm F1.8 lens, without the MCON P02 Macro Converter

Same shot with the previous taken with M.Zuiko 25mm F1.8 with MCON P02 Macro Converter attached

14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ + MCON P02 Macro Converter

This is basically a macro filter, to be attached to the front of an existing lens. Make sure that the beneficiary of this macro converter has a lens with the filter diameter of 37mm or 46mm opening. The macro converter allows the lens to focus closer to the subject, thus providing larger magnification of the subject. This is a good alternative to a macro lens, since it is small, easy to use, and can work well with a plethora of lenses (12mm F2, 17mm F1.8, 17mm F2.8, 25mm F1.8, 45mm F1.8, kit lens 14-42mm). 

2) Olympus 9mm F8 Fisheye Body Cap Lens

Cost: USD90

9mm F8 Fisheye Body Cap Lens on E-M10

9mm F8 Fisheye Body Cap Lens on E-M10

The second recommended gift idea from me is the inexpensive Olympus 9mm F8 Fisheye body cap lens. It primarily acts as a body cap, and can be used as a fixed F8 pseudo fisheye lens that provides a super wide angle coverage. The lens creates distorted image similar to the effect achieved by using a fisheye lens, and is considerably good in overall image quality. The biggest advantage of this fisheye body cap lens is the superbly tiny size, which is negligible in weight and size and can be slotted easily in your pocket or in the camera bag without wasting any space. This is also a lens that can create dramatically different photography output, an interesting gift to encourage the friend/family/relative to shoot see the world and shoot differently! Read my full review here (click).

3) Olympus ECG-1 or ECG 3 GRIP

External Camera Grip for E-M10 or E-M10 Mark II ONLY

Cost:  USD50 for ECG-1
           USD60 for ECG-3

Here is a quick video demonstration I have recorded to show how the ECG Grip works on E-M10, with the innovative quick release mechanism. 

This gift idea only specifically applies to Olympus OM-D E-M10 and E-M10 Mark II users. If your friend/family/relative uses E-M10/E-M10 Mark II camera and does not have this specially built camera grip, it is surely a welcome to buy one. The ECG-1/3 grip beefs up the hand gripping area, resulting in better camera handling experience and more comfortable long hour shooting with the camera. It has a quick release mechanism, the first of it's kind in the market, to have quick change of memory cards of battery if needed.

Christmas is coming! Though it is hot and sunny in Malaysia we do get long holidays, and I intend to do plenty of shutter therapy. I just can't wait. Happy holidays!