HU Olympus Zuiko 50mm f1.2 - not cheap!

[Frontman]

Yesterday I found a Zuiko 50/1.2 still new in the box for $500, including tax. Maybe I can sell it on Ebay for $1K?

Last night I picked up another Zuiko 40/2 in new condition, it even included the original hood and Olympus filter. The price was $400. Maybe I can get $1200 for it on Ebay?

I also found a second 55/1.2 in surprisingly good shape for $200. It was an older thorium-glass model, and the glass was very yellowed, but I got the yellowing out of another 55/1.2 by exposing it to sunlight daily.

Time for me to open an ebay store I guess, especially if the prices keep going up as they have been.

What I want to find is a Zuiko OM 18mm lens. If anyone has an 18mm and would be interested in trading for any of the above, please let me know.

 

[kbg32]

While the OM system was great, I still have mine, I do think it is overhyped. I had a girlfriend who had a Contax slr system. We shot the same things side by side, then compared the transparencies. No contest, the Contax/Zeiss designed lenses blew the Zuikos out of the water. Contrast, sharpness, and color were far superior to the Zuikos.

You may see my Olympus system up for sale here soon.

 

[kbg32]

Yesterday I found a Zuiko 50/1.2 still new in the box for $500, including tax. Maybe I can sell it on Ebay for $1K?

Last night I picked up another Zuiko 40/2 in new condition, it even included the original hood and Olympus filter. The price was $400. Maybe I can get $1200 for it on Ebay?

I also found a second 55/1.2 in surprisingly good shape for $200. It was an older thorium-glass model, and the glass was very yellowed, but I got the yellowing out of another 55/1.2 by exposing it to sunlight daily.

Time for me to open an ebay store I guess, especially if the prices keep going up as they have been.

What I want to find is a Zuiko OM 18mm lens. If anyone has an 18mm and would be interested in trading for any of the above, please let me know.

You can get rid of the yellowing by leaving the lens in a sunny area. Put some tinfoil under the rear element while facing lens into the sun. At least this is what I read somewhere.

 

[rxmd]

Canon FD for manual focus.

Oh, and the OM hype is not without merit.

Most hypes aren't entirely without merit, it's just that things get overblown. They're decent cameras. Whether they are the best thing since sliced bread is another matter.

 

[Trius]

As an unabashed Zuiko-head, I have to admit that Hexanon and Zeiss lenses attract me ... the Hex 40/1.8 is simply stunning. But neither of the Konica bodies I have (FS-1 and T4) can touch an OM body, especially for that all-important photographic task of seeing the photo.

I don't know about the Contax RTS bodies, but I can't pull the trigger at current prices just to check it out.

I once bought a Nikkormat FTn w/ 50/1.4. A sledge hammer of a body, and the glass was fine. But I couldn't warm to it, it didn't really encourage use, so I sold it.

BTW, we are pretty obsessive about glass on this forum. Not necessarily a bad thing unless it keeps us from actually using what we DO have.

 

[nikku]

Most hypes aren't entirely without merit, it's just that things get overblown. They're decent cameras. Whether they are the best thing since sliced bread is another matter.

Some lenses in the lineup are stronger than others, but what really attracts me to the OM system is the small size and excellent engineering. That's why people compare the OM system to rangefinders, because it's roughly the same size as an interchangeable lens rangefinder. I'm a big fan of Olympus, as they are and have always been a lens company first, a camera company second. This is apparent in their approach to the E-system of DSLRs. But some of their lenses are merely ordinary. I was never a big fan of the 100/2.8, 200/4 or the 35/2.8. I think Nikon's manual focus offerings in those focal lengths are superior. The Zuiko 28/3.5 kills the old Nikkor 28/3.5, however, and the price/performance ratio of the Zuiko 50/1.8 is astounding.

While the OM system was great, I still have mine, I do think it is overhyped. I had a girlfriend who had a Contax slr system. We shot the same things side by side, then compared the transparencies. No contest, the Contax/Zeiss designed lenses blew the Zuikos out of the water. Contrast, sharpness, and color were far superior to the Zuikos.

The Contax RTS is sexy as hell, and there is no denying that Zeiss glass, but I have a hard time believing those lenses "blew the Zuikos out of the water." With a few exceptions, under similar conditions lenses of the same vintage will produce similar images. Where you will see the biggest differences are in the out of focus rendering and color rendition (though with the latter, film choice and processing are more important). That said, you could have also been shooting single-coated Zuikos against multi-coated Zeiss lenses, which would certainly affect contrast and apparent sharpness.

Anyway, it isn't just the glass that got me hooked on the OM system, it's the size and light weight. My OM-2n with 28/2 and 135/3.5 is my go-to "street" setup, but really any two lenses from my current lineup would work well together. I also keep a Nikkormat FTn to be able to use my non-ai 35/2 Nikkor, and I pair that with a 135/2.8 Asanuma that is no slouch either. But it's just not as convenient to carry around.

 

[ferider]

WRT performance, I concluded that the OM Zuikos are just optimized differently than other pro lenses of their time. For landscape type wide open shots, some Pentax, Leica SLR, Contax, Konica, etc. lenses will be much "better" than OM Zuikos, which all become really sharp only at f5.6 or so.

If you want close up performance wide open with very nice bokeh and mellow colors OM Zuikos are perfect. Just close down if you want high resolution at infinity - makes sense anyways, for me at least.

To the OP: the 50/1.2 was also the last OM lens sold new, together with the OM4TI and/or OM2000. I remember since I bought one from B+H in the 90s (long gone now).

Roland.

 

[David Murphy]

I think those Oly 50mm f/1.2 generally goes for around $450ish (in say, KEH BGN condition), depending on condition and accessories. Of course with BIN you can subtract 8% if you're willing to wait 90 days.

Kevin's prices on eBay are probably higher to reflect eBay's somewhat usurious closing fees.

Sometimes they give the BIN cash back instantly - seems unpredictable.

 

[David Murphy]

As an unabashed Zuiko-head, I have to admit that Hexanon and Zeiss lenses attract me ... the Hex 40/1.8 is simply stunning. But neither of the Konica bodies I have (FS-1 and T4) can touch an OM body, especially for that all-important photographic task of seeing the photo.

I don't know about the Contax RTS bodies, but I can't pull the trigger at current prices just to check it out.

I once bought a Nikkormat FTn w/ 50/1.4. A sledge hammer of a body, and the glass was fine. But I couldn't warm to it, it didn't really encourage use, so I sold it.

BTW, we are pretty obsessive about glass on this forum. Not necessarily a bad thing unless it keeps us from actually using what we DO have.

Not to wander too far off topic, but I fully agree. Hex glass is really an incredible bargain too (at least for now). I have a Hexanon 50mm F1.4 and a Hex 28mm F2.8 that I use on an Autoreflex - produces exceptionally sharp and contrasty images (weighs a lot though). The camera and lenses are beautifully made too.

 

[kbg32]

The Contax RTS is sexy as hell, and there is no denying that Zeiss glass, but I have a hard time believing those lenses "blew the Zuikos out of the water." With a few exceptions, under similar conditions lenses of the same vintage will produce similar images. Where you will see the biggest differences are in the out of focus rendering and color rendition (though with the latter, film choice and processing are more important). That said, you could have also been shooting single-coated Zuikos against multi-coated Zeiss lenses, which would certainly affect contrast and apparent sharpness.

Do your own test. We used the same transparency film and the same lab.

 

[nikku]

WRT performance, I concluded that the OM Zuikos are just optimized differently than other pro lenses of their time. For landscape type wide open shots, some Pentax, Leica SLR, Contax, Konica, etc. lenses will be much "better" than OM Zuikos, which all become really sharp only at f5.6 or so.

If you want close up performance wide open with very nice bokeh and mellow colors OM Zuikos are perfect. Just close down if you want high resolution at infinity - makes sense anyways, for me at least.

Roland.

Makes sense that I would like Zuikos then, because of the way I like to shoot.

Do your own test. We used the same transparency film and the same lab.

Just checked KEH prices...holy cow, I hope the Zeiss lenses outperformed the Zuikos! Part of the reason Zuikos are so prized is their relative affordability. That doesn't seem to be quite the case these days, but they are certainly more affordable than their C/Y counterparts.

In any case, I'm more than happy with my Zuikos 🙂

OM-2n w/ Zuiko 85/2 @ f4, 1/125 sec handheld, Superia 200 drugstore processing and scanning:

 

[nikku]

One more just for fun. Zuiko 85/2 @f4.

 

[Chris101]

here somethin for you from Olympus to chew on Keith...i added the ''......'' (dots) to separate , the comment alongside the 1.2/50mm to highlight the one we are talking about and the 'YVMV' at the end...😀



Compatible Lens.........Recommended Focal Length and F Stop Range

Wide-angle
Zuiko Fish Eye 8 mm F2.8....F4-F8
Zuiko Fish Eye 16 mm F3.5.....F4-F8
Zuiko 18 mm F3.5......F5.6-F8
Zuiko 21 mm F2........F2.8-F8
Zuiko 21 mm F3.5......F4-F8
Zuiko 24 mm F2.........F2.8-F8
Zuiko 24 mm F2.8......F4-F8
Zuiko 28 mm F2.........F4-F8
Zuiko 28 mm F2.8......F5.6-F8
Zuiko 28 mm F3.5......F5.6-F8
Zuiko 35 mm F2.........F4-F8
Zuiko 35 mm F2.8.......F4-F8
Zuiko Shift 24 mm F3.5......F5.6-F8
Zuiko Shift 35 mm F2.8.......F4-F8


Standard
Zuiko 40 mm F2.......F4-F8
Zuiko 50 mm F1.2.....F4-F8 [quite poor for digital capture according to Olympus!]
Zuiko 50 mm F1.4......F2.8-F8
Zuiko 50 mm F1.8......F2.8-F8
Zuiko 55 mm F1.2......F2.8-F8


Tele
Zuiko 85 mm F2......F5.6-F8
Zuiko 100 mm F2......F2.8-F8
Zuiko 100 mm F2.8....F5.6-F8
Zuiko 135 mm F2.8.....F5.6-F8
Zuiko 135 mm F3.5......F5.6-F8
Zuiko 180 mm F2.........F2-F11
Zuiko 180 mm F2.8......F4-F8
Zuiko 200 mm F4.........F8-F11
Zuiko 200 mm F5.........F5-F5.6
Zuiko 250 mm F2.........F2-F11
Zuiko 350 mm F2.8.......F2.8-F11

Zuiko Reflex 500 mm F8.....F8


Macro
Zuiko Macro 50 mm F2......F2.8-F8
Zuiko Macro 50 mm F3.5....F3.5-F8
Zuiko Macro 80 mm F4.......F5.6-F11
Zuiko Macro 90 mm F2........F4-F8
Zuiko Macro 135 mm F4.5.....F4.5-F11


Zoom
Zuiko Zoom 28-48 mm F4
F5.6-F8 at focal length of 28-48 mm F11 also possible at focal length around 36 mm
Zuiko Zoom 35-70mmF3.5-4.5
F5.6 at focal length of 35-50 mm F8 also possible at focal length around 35 mm F4 also possible at focal length around 50 mm
Zuiko Zoom 35-70 mm F3.6
F5.6-F8 at focal length of 50-70 mm
Zuiko Zoom 35-70 mm F4
F8 at focal length of 35-50 mm F5.6 also possible at focal length around 35 mm
Zuiko Zoom 35-70 mm F4 (AF)
F8 at focal length of 35-50 mm F5.6 also possible at focal length around 35 mm
Zuiko Zoom 35-80 mm F2.8
F5.6-F8 at focal length of 35-80 mm F4 also possible at focal length around 35 mm
Zuiko Zoom 35-105 mm F3.5-4.5
F8 at focal length of 60-105 mm F5.6 also possible at focal length around 60 mm
Zuiko Zoom 50-250 mm F5
F8 at focal length around 250 mm
Zuiko Zoom 65-200 mm F4
F8 at focal length of 115-200 mm F5.6 also possible at focal length around 115 mm
Zuiko Zoom 75-150 mm F4
F5.6-F8 at focal length of 105-150 mm
Zuiko Zoom 85-250 mm F5
F5.6 at focal length of 150-250 mm F8 also possible at focal length around 150 mm
Zuiko Zoom 100-200 mm F5
F5.6-F11 at focal length of 140-200 mm F5 also possible at focal length around 200 mm
Lens release button
1Fit the Four Thirds Adapter into the camera’s lens mount by aligning the lens attachment marks and turn it in the direction of the arrow until it locks into position. ・To remove the Four Thirds Adapter, turn the lens in the opposite
direction while pressing down the lens release button. 2 Attach an Olympus OM system lens.

Notes
・Autofocus (AF) is not available. ・Stop-down metering is used. Spot metering mode does not work properly. ・Although it is possible to use the A (aperture-priority AE) mode in auto
exposure, the aperture display is not available. ・The aperture display is not available in M (Manual) exposure. ・In the P (Program AE) or S (Shutter speed-priority AE) mode, the shutter
releases, but the auto exposure control does not work. ・The distance scale on the OM system lens may not indicate the actual
distance. Always use the viewfinder for focusing. ・For recommended lenses, focal lengths and aperture (F-number) ranges,
see the OM system compatibility on the right. For inquiries, contact your nearest Olympus dealer.
Dimensions Weight
Main Specifications
: Ø 62 x 7.5mm (Ø 2.4 x 0.3 in) : 50g (1.8 oz)

Notes (1) The recommended values shown above are based on Olympus standards. [YVMV] (2) It is not recommended to use an OM system lens that is not listed above. (3) When an OM system lens is mounted on a Four Thirds System SLR camera, the image
angle will be equivalent to that of a 35mm film camera lens with double the focal length.

This is talking about using them on a digital slr though, right? You know, to ensure that the cone of light is narrow enough to illuminate the sensor evenly.

 

[nikku]

i;d say its hard to argue with Olympus if they have tested them and come up with these results...put it this way if we ignore the facts with this then do we ignore all previous facts about the details or quality of the OM lenses from Olympus....or do we just want to hear that they are great no matter what...i wish they were, i have an investment in some very pricy zuiko, im not about to stop using it, but if i didnt have it i would give pause and consider buying new gear optimised for digital instead, so it has better dual usability

buying OM stuff just for digital seems somewhat foolish to me

It is foolish, at least for use on Olympus 4/3rds cameras. Olympus built their digital SLR system from the ground up, and optimized their lenses for a 4/3rds sensor. Oly 4/3rds lenses are extremely sharp wide open, much sharper than any comparable OM Zuikos wide open. OM Zuikos, however, are a "shortcut" to fast long glass, as any Digital Zuiko lens faster than f3.5 is going to be pricey. Even the modestly priced ZD 50/2 macro costs hundreds more than an OMZ 50/1.4 or 50/1.8, and is about the same price as the 50/1.2. I have an E-410 and much prefer using it with the kit lens than any of my OM Zuikos. However, I get the feeling that many people who buy OM lenses for use on digital are full frame Canon users looking for cheaper options in the ultra wide and ultra fast range. It seems that people using OM Zuikos on digital Olympus bodies already owned the OM glass.

 

[Trius]

But the OM 24 & 35 shift lenses are very good, and critical Canon users seem happy with the results. I imagine CA might be a bit of an issue, but not enough that can't be fixed in post.

For me the attraction of OM lenses on 4/3 or m4/3 is accessibility -- I have the lenses, some of them quite good. I wouldn't be shooting for billboard size.

 

[nikku]

foolish and false economy, much better off buying good canon lenses for canon digital,,most people buying OM for canon are doing so because some drongo tells them its a magic bullet on some forum (everywhere), cheap shortcut or hidden secret...drongo's! the myth has spread so far and wide now it wouldnt matter what anyone says , its a fact OM Zuiko is great for digi canons {says while coughing up pixels}, its like sticking unleaded petrol in a car that takes Super or vice versa

Agreed, and it's silly because Canon prime lenses for EOS are really not that expensive. I also think there is an obsession currently with really thin DoF and "bokeh" that also drives the use of cheaper, faster, older manual focus lenses on digital cameras, as new, fast lenses are pretty expensive in comparison (like the Canon 50/1.2L).

 

[nikku]

But the OM 24 & 35 shift lenses are very good, and critical Canon users seem happy with the results. I imagine CA might be a bit of an issue, but not enough that can't be fixed in post.

For me the attraction of OM lenses on 4/3 or m4/3 is accessibility -- I have the lenses, some of them quite good. I wouldn't be shooting for billboard size.

You fall into the second category of shooters I mentioned (I also fall into this category)--those who use the lenses because they have them. That makes sense. What doesn't make sense is those digital users who are driving up the prices on these older lens because they are supposedly better that what is available in the users' native mount. I guess if there is a significant price difference it could make some sense, but I don't even shoot EOS so what do I know?

 

[jmkelly]

You guys have raised some questions for me, so I just pulled out my wife's E-300 with the digital 50mm f2 macro, and mounted up my old 50mm f1.2 on the Olympus adapter for a comparison shot. Don't bust my chops too bad - this was just spur-of-the-moment and not tightly controlled. Both of the shots below were SHQ jpgs at ISO 400. One was shot on autofocus with the digital macro lens at f2.0 in aperture mode; speed was 1/25th. The other was shot on manual focus with the OM lens at f1.2 in manual mode; speed was 1/60th. Images were resized in Photoshop but I applied no other pp.

It may be pretty easy to tell which is which, especially if you go to this folder to check out the full-sized originals. But bottom line, it seems to me that the OM lens does not do that bad wide-open on the E-300.

 

[nikku]

FYI, as of 2/1/2010 keh.com has a couple nice looking copies for sale for around $500, as well as several copies of the 40/2 and 35/2 for a decent price.

 

[ethics_gradient]

Anyone have experience disassembling the 55mm f/1.2? I just got mine in the mail today, which has a sticky/very sluggish aperture. On my own I was able to get the first two elements off, but no further. There's a set of notches for a spanner on the "big piece" but I cannot get it to budge. I found an exploded parts diagram but it's not helping much (I'm also going on about 4 and a half hours of sleep, maybe it'll make more sense tomorrow 😛)

Yes, I know I can send it in (actually have another lens that's going out for re-re-adjustment this week), but I'm picking up lens repair as a hobby and would like to try doing it myself.

I've tested it wide open (or maybe slightly less than wide open, the blades are really sluggish) and while it's not tack sharp, it's certainly acceptable. Look forward to shooting with it once I get it back in working condition!