EP-1 owner seeks the light bulb

[ironchefdownunder]

Hey Guys,

I am a new EP-1 owner having come from compacts. I have not had a choice of lens since my Canon EOS650 in the late 80's so am hoping for some advice.

I am seeking a lens that can produce a shallow depth of field for targets a few meters away with nice Bokeh. From reading reviews I take it the Oly 17 2.8 and Lumix 20 1.7 may not deliver what I have in mind.

Example below by the talented Lee Chapman (via Tokyo Times)



Lee uses a Nikkon 85mm 1.4 from what I can tell for this and a number of his other great photos and it is this sort of lens ability I am seeking rather than blurring of background with objects fairly near.

I was investigating the Sigma 30mm 1.4 however Rangefinder member Timothy advised me it doesnt work in autofocus on the EP-1. The other AF option is the Lumix/Leica 25mm 1.4 which I think is 100% ok on the EP-1?

I am not sure if I need autofocus? My EOS650 was I believe Canons first mainstream AF so I have actually never used a manual focus lens... Additionally relying on only a LCD screen to focus is something I wonder about.

I certainly would enjoy the smaller size of an older manual lenses (and I love their beautiful looks). Size is what has kept me away from SLR cameras so that is an important consideration.

So I ask for your suggestions/advice on what lenses might suit?

Regards,
IC.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

The smaller m4/3 sensor makes this a challenge. The 20/1.7 is probably your best bet at this point--the 25/1.4 will give you slightly shallower DOF, but perhaps not as much as you want.

It's an infant format...there is a limited amount of stuff available.

 

[Finder]

Your best bet for what you want and to still retain AF and a small package would be Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm F2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. Lens for the micro 4/3 format. There are now zoom lenses which will give you a narrow depth of field, but they will be bigger.

As far as manually focusing a lens on the E-P1, it is not that bad. It will take some practice. It really depends on how you like to work. However, the lens choice will be larger. With a given field of view, you are going to have a greater depth of field with a micro 4/3 format compared with larger formats. But you should be able to pick up some fast single focal length lenses which will help you achieve what you want.

A small note. I have a 90mm lens for my E-P1. I find the narrow field of view makes it a challenge to work with.

 

[Ronald M]

The bigger the sensor, the easier it is to get what you desire. Unfortunately they get costly and are large.

Small sensors use short focal length lenses which automatically give a large debth of field from the same position.

If you are comitted to small cameras. it is fairly easy to blure a background with photoshop or one of the other editing programs. Ask before purchasing one.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Like the old drag racing saying goes, "Speed costs money, how fast do you want to go?"

You are wanting a result that may not be easily obtainable with the format you've chosen.

 

[paragon]

look at flickr Panasonic 20mm f1.7 and see if there are any images that give you what you want - then take it from there - if you are happy you will then have a $300 solution
There are not many M4/3 lenses on the market - so you are very limited as far as AF is concerned.
The cost effective alternative is to accept MF and buy the fastest Canon, Nikor, Oly, Konica etc., 50mm SLR or RF lens that you can afford plus a Chinese adapter, ($60), - total, probably $150 max - give it a try and if you are unhappy, sell them and you will probably get 75% of the money back that you paid out

 

[Finder]

BTW, e-p1.net a E-p1 forum has a lens achieve showing sample images from specific lenses. You may want to take a look.

 

[ironchefdownunder]

Thanks everyone.

Looking at the photos on that forum link provided tonight and of samples of the 20mm 1.7 lumix and whilst that sure would be great in many ways I cannot see it produce what I am seeking so far.

Now reading more on the numerous older MF lenses I can use with adapters.

many many options...

 

[Andy Kibber]

If you're willing to use a larger camera, you don't have to spend lots of money to get the effect you want. A relatively inexpensive DSLR with a 50 f/1.8 would probably do the trick.

 

[paragon]

Thanks everyone.

Looking at the photos on that forum link provided tonight and of samples of the 20mm 1.7 lumix and whilst that sure would be great in many ways I cannot see it produce what I am seeking so far.

Now reading more on the numerous older MF lenses I can use with adapters.

many many options...

Any MF f1.2 lens that you get will be difficult to focus wide open on the M4/3 cam - some say it's easy, but it is not.
With the exception of a "proper RF", because of the very shallow DOF, it is bad enough on any camera to manually focus at f1.2, (to get the effect that you want), but none of the M4/3s, at this moment, have a "focus confirm" - so it's all done "by eye" plus pressing a couple of buttons, (which is tedious), and using the EVF, (if you have one), or the LCD.
Before you go to any expense, (I would think that the cheapest MF 50mm f1.2 that you will get will be $400 used), try to have a go and see how you get on.
The Nikor or Canon SLR 50/55mm f1.2s are probably the least expensive lenses. If you go any wider at that f value they do start to get expensive - Just a suggestion, look at the CV Nokton 35mm f1.7 images on Flickr........this RF lens can usually be picked up at a reasonable price secondhand and there is also the Canon RF 5cm f1.4, (a lot were made so these are not a bad price, used), but I have never seen any samples using the 5cm lens on a M4/3 and I think that the Canon S adapter to M4/3 is more expensive than most of the others.

Look at the DOF versus F value charts and you will see how shallow the "in focus" area is at f1.2

(also with the image that you have posted, remember the crop factor, FX is x1, DX is x1.6 and M4/3 is x2) i.e 50mm on an FX is 50mm, 50mm on a DX = 80mm and on a M4/3 100mm)

Good Luck

 

[ironchefdownunder]

Many thanks Paragon. I was looking on eBay and saw a Nokton 35mm f1.4 and a Canon FL 50mm f1.2 as a couple of possibilities. I am concerned about the focusing and appreciate the heads up, I need to consider that carefully.

Shall continue looking at sample photos and lenses tonight.