How wide an M style lens on a Micro 4/3?

[awilder]

Okay, I've read that despite the use of an M adapter for these cameras, M style wide angle lenses for 35mm cameras will give soft edges due to the fact that these optics (somewhat retrofocus) aren't tele-centric. I have a 15/4.5 CV, 21/4.5 ZM and a 35/2 UC Hex. Will any of these work without edge blur and if so which? I'm aware of the 2X crop factor, so at best I'd only have an effective 30 mm wide angle.

 

[justins7]

I don't think people are experiencing edge blur so much as less-than-sharpness, in general. It has something to do with the way the angle of light hits the sensor; the Panasonic lenses are designed to correct for this. Therefore the kit lenses seem super sharp.

The widest M lens I used on a GF1 was a 25mm Canon, and it's fine. Not super sharp, but I never worried much about that anyway. No edge blur, just not as perfect looking as the kit lens.

I still don't know why they are not making a true wide, fast lens for the GF1 yet. 14mm 1.4 would be nice.

 

[Paul T.]

I don't think people are experiencing edge blur so much as less-than-sharpness, in general. It has something to do with the way the angle of light hits the sensor; the Panasonic lenses are designed to correct for this. Therefore the kit lenses seem super sharp.

The widest M lens I used on a GF1 was a 25mm Canon, and it's fine. Not super sharp, but I never worried much about that anyway. No edge blur, just not as perfect looking as the kit lens.

I still don't know why they are not making a true wide, fast lens for the GF1 yet. 14mm 1.4 would be nice.

THere's a 14mm on the way at the end of this year, I heard, altho it's f/2.8 - it would be fiendishly difficult (and expensive) to build a 14/1.4.

 

[justins7]

THere's a 14mm on the way at the end of this year, I heard, altho it's f/2.8 - it would be fiendishly difficult (and expensive) to build a 14/1.4.

I have a 13mm 1.5 C-mount lens from the 60s, now adapted to the GF1. Although it vignettes, it shows that wide apertures can be made for that size. (It even seems like the lens can be physically altered to cover the sensor fully. All a manufacturer has to do is copy this formula and alter the design a bit. I think.)

 

[Finder]

I use 12mm and 21mm cv lenses on my E-P1. Very nice lenses, IMHO.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

The CV 15mm Heliar works quite well. Corners are soft, but not too bad.

The Panasonic 14mm lens, BTW, seems to have sped up a little--they are now saying that it's going to be an f/2.5.

 

[Finder]

12mm cv lens

 

[Finder]

21mm cv lens

 

[awilder]

Thanks fot the posts Finder. Which Micro 4/3 camera was used? The 21 didn't seem too bad. Was that crop equivalent to 100% or was it less? Can I assume my 35 UC Hexanon will be pretty sharp to the edge if closed down a few stops?

 

[Finder]

awilder, the crops were at 100%, although something happens when uploading to rrf. Both images were taken at f/11.

 

[Finder]

Sorry. I use an E-P1. Here is another rff member that uses the 21mm:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77218

 

[Finder]

And again:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77429

 

[Finder]

If you check out e-p1.net, there is a lens sample gallery. You may find it interesting.