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Archive 2011 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

tomasg
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

Hi,

I'm currently using Olympus OM 50/1.8 on my nex-3, but I'm thinking of changing it to OM 50/1.4 because of one extra stop. My 50/1.8 is a quite soft @ 1.8. Would the 50/1.4 give me extra sharpness @ 1.8 , comparing with my 50/1.8 @ 1.8? I use the lens for some portraits and stitched panoramas. It is good @f/2.8, superb @ >f/4 but it could be better when using wide open.

And I would like to add some 24mm glass to my 50 but my budget is not high. Could think of OM 24/2.8, but what about it's sharpness at wide open? Anyone having examples? Or should I get some other 24mm? Would love to have 24mm lens with good sharpness at least at f/2.8 .

By the way, a capture with my OM 50/1.8, with bit of black and white pp.


	http://tomasg.lt/uploads/luka.jpg

Nov 30, 2011 at 06:23 PM

RustyBug
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

The Oly 24/2.8 is well regarded by many (I've got a pair). BUT, the thing that gives the Oly's such regard is their abilities in the corners. Generally speaking, my Oly's have more even sharpness across all zones of the frame ... compared with my Nikon AIS glass that has more central sharpness, but pays the penalty in the corners/edges a bit more.

On the NEX, the better corner handling of the Oly would be unrealized. I might suggest the Nikon 28/2.8 AIS if you are looking for a SHARP wide that doesn't need to perform sharply in the corners (on a crop body). Of course, the Nikon's & Oly's have different drawing styles, so that's a preference as well.

I've got the Nikon 28/2.8 AIS and 20/2.8 AIS ... I would imagine the 24 would be similar.

Nov 30, 2011 at 07:33 PM

alexandre
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

Kent nailed it about even sharpness of Oly wides.
About 50/1.4, I'd take a Zuiko or a Super-Tak, both are very good in the sweet spot and can be had for less than $100. On FF it's a no-brainer for me tho

Nov 30, 2011 at 11:19 PM

redisburning
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

Im not sold on the Zuiko 50mm f1.4, any version. I really like the two macro 50s though.

Personally if I didnt have OM film cameras I'd have the Nikon 58mm f1.4.

Nov 30, 2011 at 11:35 PM

sebboh
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

i doubt the OM 50/1.4 would be much improvement in sharpness over the f/1.8 at wide apertures. i'd choose the takumar/pentax, nikkor, or canon fd for that.

for 24mm and sharp wide open, i chose the minolta MD 24/2.8 (49mm filter thread). it's very sharp in the center wide open and nearly as compact as the OM 24/2.8. corners (even on NEX) aren't sharp till you stop down a bit, but they're not bad. here's a couple of wide open shots with the minolta on a NEX:
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6059/5905179236_3af79c58d5_b.jpg
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6036/6243706653_da3e9c9cfa_b.jpg

Nov 30, 2011 at 11:48 PM

LightShow
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

Currently my most used WA is a Nikkor 24/2.8 NC
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/6070nikkor/wides/24mm.htm
I just picked up a S-M-C 28/3.5 so it could challenge my Nikkor for top spot.

Dec 01, 2011 at 12:18 AM

AhamB
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

tomasg wrote:
Hi,

I'm currently using Olympus OM 50/1.8 on my nex-3, but I'm thinking of changing it to OM 50/1.4 because of one extra stop.

Actually it's 2/3 of a stop, not a full stop.

Dec 01, 2011 at 12:47 AM

tomasg
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

Thank You all for good replies, I think I'll try Minolta 24/2.8. Is there some valuable ~50mm on the same mount?

Dec 01, 2011 at 10:04 AM

alexandre
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

sebboh wrote:
i doubt the OM 50/1.4 would be much improvement in sharpness over the f/1.8 at wide apertures. i'd choose the takumar/pentax, nikkor, or canon fd for that.

Even using them on a crop camera like the NEX?

Dec 01, 2011 at 10:53 AM

sebboh
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

tomasg wrote:
Thank You all for good replies, I think I'll try Minolta 24/2.8. Is there some valuable ~50mm on the same mount?

the rokkor MC PG 50/1.4 is actually my favorite 50/1.4 (till i shoot a summilux), it's not going to win any awards for wide open sharpness though. most people used to modern lenses are put off by it's wide open softness and lower contrast (stopped down a few stops it has no trouble outresolving the sensor from corner to corner). they can be had for around $50 though (note the rokkor 50/1.4 lenses with a 49mm filter thread are a different optical design and i have not experience with them).

alexandre wrote:
Even using them on a crop camera like the NEX?

especially on the crop actually. both the OMs are relatively weak in the center at wide apertures and can't hold up to the higher pixel densities as well in my experience. on FF it shouldn't be as obvious with the larger pixels and the corners hold up pretty well i'm told (i've never shot them on FF). the OMs have other advantages though - small size, color (subjective), and i prefer their rendering for people versus the nikkor and pentax equivalents (no personal experience with the canon fd).

Dec 01, 2011 at 11:42 AM

alexandre
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

Fair enough, thnaks for the clarification

Dec 01, 2011 at 11:57 AM

ocean2059
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

I have used 50/1.4 and 24/2.8 on the NEX 5N. The IQ from these two lenses on the NEX 5N is average at best. I was kind of disappointed since I really like these two lenses when I was using film cameras.

Dec 01, 2011 at 04:30 PM

sebboh
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

ocean2059 wrote:
I have used 50/1.4 and 24/2.8 on the NEX 5N. The IQ from these two lenses on the NEX 5N is average at best. I was kind of disappointed since I really like these two lenses when I was using film cameras.

which versions of the lenses do you have (55mm or 49mm filter thread)? with regard to 24mm have you shimmed your adapter to get proper infinity stop? both versions have floating elements and i noticed substantial improvement (especially in the corners and at infinity) after i shimmed the adapter. the 50mm i love for its look not it's raw optical performance (though it's never let me down in that regard for landscape).

Dec 01, 2011 at 04:35 PM

ocean2059
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

Sebboh, thanks. My 50/1.4 is a 49mm filter threaded one. I will check the proper infinity stop for the adapter.

Dec 01, 2011 at 04:52 PM

sebboh
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

ocean2059 wrote:
Sebboh, thanks. My 50/1.4 is a 49mm filter threaded one. I will check the proper infinity stop for the adapter.

ah, mine (the MC PG) is a 55mm filter thread with a different optical design. i've not seen many shots that looked that impressive with the 49mm filter thread version so i've never bothered trying one out.

my 24/2.8 is the 49mm filter thread version and i've heard conflicting reports about which version is better in what areas (again i've only used one version). my general feeling from talking to people and looking at shots with them is that the 49mm version is sharper in the center with higher contrast and better performance up close while suffering from more vignetting and sharpness fall off at the edges. i suspect the 49mm filter thread version performs better on aps-c while the 55mm filter thread version would be better on FF. i've seen amazing pictures with both lenses though corners are always a weakness (i have to stop down to f/16 on my film cameras to get the corners good enough).

edit: shimming the adapter will only improve performance of the 24mm not the 50mm as the optics on 50mm move as one unit (no floating elements).

Dec 01, 2011 at 05:14 PM

Dustin Gent
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

I had an OM 50mm 1,4 and 1,8. Both are great. I also had the radioactive Pentax 50mm 1,4 as well, that I actually liked better than the OMs.

I had both OM 24mm 2.0 and 2.8. Both are fabulous. I sold my OM 24mm 2.8 when I bought the Tokina 17mm 3.5. (that is how good my Tokina is!)

Dec 02, 2011 at 07:48 AM

dasrocket
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

I have acquired an OM 50 1.4 and OM 21 3.5 and have been using them both on my NEX 3 & 7. they have proven to be the best MF glass in their respective FLs of all the lenses I have ever owned (meaning a combination of size, price, sharpness and colour).

I blame them for making me misplace my other MF lenses as I have not even looked at them since..

Jul 11, 2012 at 02:28 PM

FlyPenFly
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

I've read a lot of good things about the OM21mm. Might have to pick one up.

What's great about the OM lenses is overall size with adapter.

A smart person should design and make collapsing NEX/MFT adapters. They get bigger when you need to use them just like the way the Oly MFT kit lenses collapse.

Kickstarter Project?

Jul 11, 2012 at 02:50 PM

AmbientMike
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

I have early mc 50/1.8. Probably won't bother with zeiss doubt it's much better. One 50/1.8 got 90 lp/ mm in the mp tests! F/2 i feel the 50/1.4 is better. These can vary a lot generally mc is better. Single coated got 80 lp/ mm in mp tests a very high result. The mc might be exceptional.

Jul 15, 2012 at 11:04 PM

redisburning
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Some questions about Olympus OM 50 & 24

my now sold c/y 50/1.7 destroyed both my MiJ 50/1.8 and silvernose 50/1.4, and only my MC 50/3.5 could keep up; that was only at f5.6 and smaller, though.

I like the OM lenses, and use them frequently, but they hardly compare to the ZM lenses in terms of raw optical performance. The Zeisses have them beat on everything other than price, but then again I don't know what something like my 28/2 ran for new.

IMO and YMMV of course.

Jul 16, 2012 at 07:58 AM

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