Seeing how popular this lens is I thought this might be a nice idea. I did a search and there are some excellent images taken with this lens dispersed throughout many different threads.
A huge thanks to FM, Paul and Jim B. for showing me the light and getting me along the way to my first alt lens. I already have a Oly 28mm 3.5 on the way.
I know that others have better captures than these, but they are the first shots I've taken outdoors with the lens and I guess I'm just a bit giddy:o)
This first image needs to be seen at original size to appreciate. The infinity focus on this lens is unbelievable. The clock in the back is perfectly readable. The shot is ISO 800 f/8.
I've just done my first tests with a rubber ringed 58 1.2 using Jim Buchanon's excellently machined adapter. I did have to file the rear retaining ring down to clear the mirror on my 1DsMKIII but the infinity focus was spot on. The biggest trick was getting the ball bearing for the aperure detent back in. Well, not really. The problem was getting the aperture ring over the bearing and properly seated. In the end I had to unscrew the small stainless tab on the aperture ring that engages the actual aperture lever, slip the ring on and then re-attach the tab, after first scribing exactly where it had been positioned.
I'm not posting any images yet, but in comparing to my Canon 50mm 1.4, the Rokkor seems very similar wide open with a good amount of ghosting flare. The Rokkor might be slightly sharper but the haze is too much in my opinion.
Stopping down one stop to f/2, the Rokkor improves so dramatically that it's almost like a different lens altogether, becoming both much sharper and more contrasty than the Canon. Those improvement were seen down to f/5.6, where I stopped for the time being.
Since I don't have another lens for comparison, I really don't know if the one I have is typical or not. Wide open, it's certainly not even close the my 85L Canon, which is both sharp and contrasty wide open. And as soon as it's stopped down even one stop, the Rokkor seems to be among the best I've ever seen.
I'll be shooting some low light with it later tonight. We'll see how it does in real world conditions.
Not even suggesting this, in your case, Peter, but that ghosting flare wide open is made worse by bad rear lens elements. Cleaning marks on the rear outside element or an attempt at cleaning the inside of the rear element can exaggerate that flare and really ruin the fine qualities of the lens.
Look forward to some low light examples as the glare is more problematic in brighter scenes.
With all the hype on this lens I was expecting to see several examples of mind-blowing images. What I am seeing here are very ordinary and boring images. Forget the test shots. For wide-open sharpness, nothing can beat the 85L IMO. Let's see some real good examples of what this lens is supposedly capable of.
Peter Figen wrote:
I've just done my first tests with a rubber ringed 58 1.2 using Jim Buchanon's excellently machined adapter. I did have to file the rear retaining ring down to clear the mirror on my 1DsMKIII but the infinity focus was spot on. The biggest trick was getting the ball bearing for the aperure detent back in. Well, not really. The problem was getting the aperture ring over the bearing and properly seated. In the end I had to unscrew the small stainless tab on the aperture ring that engages the actual aperture lever, slip the ring on and then re-attach the tab, after first scribing exactly where it had been positioned.
I'm not posting any images yet, but in comparing to my Canon 50mm 1.4, the Rokkor seems very similar wide open with a good amount of ghosting flare. The Rokkor might be slightly sharper but the haze is too much in my opinion.
Stopping down one stop to f/2, the Rokkor improves so dramatically that it's almost like a different lens altogether, becoming both much sharper and more contrasty than the Canon. Those improvement were seen down to f/5.6, where I stopped for the time being.
Since I don't have another lens for comparison, I really don't know if the one I have is typical or not. Wide open, it's certainly not even close the my 85L Canon, which is both sharp and contrasty wide open. And as soon as it's stopped down even one stop, the Rokkor seems to be among the best I've ever seen.
I'll be shooting some low light with it later tonight. We'll see how it does in real world conditions.
Peter ...Show more →
my zuiko 1.2/50 and 1.2/55 have also that great amount of ghosting flare around bright objects. Also at f2 flare is gone...
Ghosting/flare can be caused by using a chromed adapter, internal dust/haze, or shooting wide open in very bright conditions. My internally clean Zuiko 50/1.2, with a black adapter, shows very little ghosting/flare even wide open on bright objects, in bright light.
pdmphoto wrote:
Ghosting/flare can be caused by using a chromed adapter, internal dust/haze, or shooting wide open in very bright conditions. My internally clean Zuiko 50/1.2, with a black adapter, shows very little ghosting/flare even wide open on bright objects, in bright light.
pdmphoto wrote:
Ghosting/flare can be caused by using a chromed adapter, internal dust/haze, or shooting wide open in very bright conditions. My internally clean Zuiko 50/1.2, with a black adapter, shows very little ghosting/flare even wide open on bright objects, in bright light.
ah ok. Then i'll look for a back OM adapter. I like the bokeh of the 50/1.2 much more better as from the 55/1.2
Hope we can see more of this kind of quality images. It makes what you say more believable or convincing.