Hidden wonder or waste of technology?

[Akira]

There have been some buzz about the hidden wonder of the Japanese official New Year's greeting card.

The red lines right above the numbers "0" and "8" of "2018" seen below left in the image #1 are actually not the simple red lines but the greeting message of Japanese "Happy New Year".

[Jack Dahlgren]

明けましておめでとうございます

Hope you had a nice New Years!

[Akira]

明けましておめでとうございます, Jack!

I think I've already had a good start.  Hope you a prospective year 2018!

[richardHaw]

it's for using micro-nikkor 

this is for counterfeit protection

[MFloyd]

Micro-printing.  Very usual on banknotes. With some nanoparticle inks and exotic printing methods (Gaussian laser), it is claimed that they can produce print patterns down to the size of 2 microns....

[armando_m]

what is it that we're looking at? a ticket?

[Akira]

it's for using micro-nikkor 

this is for counterfeit protection

Yeah, I know.  The lens was an RMS mount Zuiko MC Macro 38/3.5.

Micro-printing.  Very usual on banknotes. With some nanoparticle inks and exotic printing methods (Gaussian laser), it is claimed that they can produce print patterns down to the size of 2 microns....

The quality of micro-printing on our bank notes are much better.  These letters are printed on the post card and not that clear.

what is it that we're looking at? a ticket?

This is a Japanese post card for the New Year's greetings.  Japan Post officially prints the cards designed for each year based on the Oriental Zodiac.

[FredCrowBear]

What is your experience with the Zuiko MC Macro 38/3.5?

[Akira]

What is your experience with the Zuiko MC Macro 38/3.5?

On today's hi-res sensors, its optical quality is so-so.  Its preset aperture is handy.  I bought mine for 9,000 JPY, so it's good enough for casual closeups at 3-5x.  The working distance at those magnifications is around 2cm, which makes the lighting easier when necessary.

For serious works, you may want to look for Macro Nikkor, Zeiss Luminar, Mitsutoyo, etc.

[FredCrowBear]

It looks like it could be a lot of fun for only 9000 JPY!
Add 2cm seem to be a very reasonable working distance, considering the magnification. 

[Akira]

It looks like it could be a lot of fun for only 9000 JPY!
Add 2cm seem to be a very reasonable working distance, considering the magnification.

Indeed it's a fun lens.

Correction: the working distance was even longer.  Here is a table showing the relationship between the magnification, extension and working distance (I also have the table for 20/3.5 and upload here as well):