Most 50's(ish) OM lens

[ChrisP]

Are there any lens for OM cameras that have the nice look of original RF lenses (nice swirly bokeh, low contrast and a bunch of character) or would I have to pick up an m42 camera to get an SLR with those kind of characteristics?

 

[shadowfox]

Chris, as far as I can remember using Zuiko 50mm's (I've used them all except 50/2 and 50/1.2), they don't produce swirly bokeh.

Smooth, yes, patterned, sometimes, but I don't remember seeing swirly ones.

If you want swirly, a Biotar M42 would give you that in abundance 🙂

 

[nikku]

OM Zuiko 55/1.2, or maybe one of the old single coated 50/1.4s.

 

[redisburning]

I have a silver nosed 50mm f1.4.

No swirl, but low contrast for sure. my adapter is TERRIBLE though, so YMMV:



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

this is SooC raw. the files look a lot better with some contrast added in and some USM with photoshop but I take it that's not what you want.

 

[ferider]

No Zuiko I have tried is over-corrected to the point of being swirly. All seam to be optimized for beautiful bokeh at the cost of resolution wide open (compared to other older lenses).

There might be tiny differences. But, for example, compared to an M39/M42 Helios 40(-2) all Zuikos are equal.

 

[sreed2006]

I will add to the general consensus so far - none of the Zuiko lenses I have used (21/2, 24/2, 24/2.8, 24/3.5 shift, 28/2, 28/2.8, 28/3.5, 35/2, 35/2.8, 35-80/2.8 zoom, 40/2, 50/1.4, 50/1.8, 50/2, 55/1.2, 75-150/4 zoom, 85/2, 90/2, 100/2, 135/3.5, 200/4, and 500/8 mirror) have swirly bokeh, nor do they produce images that look like early RF lenses.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

The OM system was a modern system, it was introduced in the early 1970s, so the lenses are all basically modern designs similar to the designs of the same types of lenses made today. Nothing unusual or 'character' about them. Just good, sharp modern lenses.