Olympus 40mm OM on D800

[tunebomb]

I'm hoping this is the most appropriate place to start a topic asking this.

Does anyone on here use an Olympus 40mm OM lens on a Nikon full frame?

I'd like to get this - http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/olympusom1n2/shared/zuiko/htmls/40mm.htm

As I think it will be the lens that will satisfy my desire to have a quality optic 40mm on my d800.

I love my 40 cron and 40 as a focal length and it seems as far as my options go for 40 (not 45) this Olympus is my best bet on a Nikon full frame.

Does anyone have this lens that can maybe tell me a bit about it?

Thanks!

 

[Dwig]

It is not possible to adapt OM mount lenses to fit Nikon F mount bodies and retain infinity focus. The register distance on the Nikon mount is 0.5mm longer than that of the Oly OM mount. Even if a zero thickness adapter could be made you wouldn't be able to focus to infinity. In practice, the thinnest possible adapter would probably be in the 4-5mm range leaving a maximum focusing distance with a 40mm lens of around 1m (3ft).

It might be possible to remove the lens' mount and replace it with a Nikon flange. It would probably require some machining to accomplish this. It would still leave you with a totally manual lens.

 

[Particular]

It is not possible to adapt OM mount lenses to fit Nikon F mount bodies and retain infinity focus. The register distance on the Nikon mount is 0.5mm longer than that of the Oly OM mount. Even if a zero thickness adapter could be made you wouldn't be able to focus to infinity. In practice, the thinnest possible adapter would probably be in the 4-5mm range leaving a maximum focusing distance with a 40mm lens of around 1m (3ft). It might be possible to remove the lens' mount and replace it with a Nikon flange. It would probably require some machining to accomplish this. It would still leave you with a totally manual lens.

Leitax actually produces a Olympus to Nikon replacement mount. There are also cheaper knock-offs on eBay.

 

[gustavoAvila]

The Zuiko 40mm has become a collectors item and is priced accordingly.

For less than the going rate for the Olympus, one can purchase a brand new Voigtlander 40mm SL with a warranty and electronic coupling to Nikon bodies.

By all accounts, the Voigtlander is also the better lens optically.

Full disclosure. I am an Olympus OM fanboy and cannot recommend the Zuiko 40mm for any purpose other than collecting.

 

[andrewtc4]

I used the OM 40mm for a bit only for film, would say it's not worth the price. It's very good, the Voigtlander is better overall and once you find a good one and get the Leitax mount you will be well over the cost of a new Voigtlander. The OM is tiny, great if you want to mount it on a tiny camera but is almost too small.

 

[xyz3450]

The OM 40 is rare and that seems to drive its price. I have seen the remarks elsewhere, I recall, about the current price being above it 'quality'. Other zuikos of different focal lengths seem to be much more admired....

 

[vytasn]

The Voigtlander 40mm f/2 SL-II is available in Nikon mount and is superior in every way.

 

[kuzano]

If you want to cheaply find out......

If you want to cheaply find out......

If you want to find out how bad the OM 40MM lens really is, buy a mirrorless PEN, like the E-PL5 for a couple of hundred dollars, and get a $20 adapter to mount the OM mount to a Oly micro 4/3 with the 16 Mp sensor. It will at least give you a good idea how the lens renders images.

Then you will know you don't want to use it (or spend the money necessary) on your D800.

Olympus made a lot of very good images in Zuiko glass. Unfortunately that lens was not one of them.

Had one when I was trying to take advantage of small size when the Olympus OM-1 came out and I bought the OM-1. I bought the 40 in 1987. Did not use the 40 very long. The 50mm f1.8 was just a bit bigger and a better lens.

 

[kuzano]

For those who consider this lens collectable....

For those who consider this lens collectable....

I don't consider any lens collectable unless it's likely to be hard to find.

I have to say that if right now is an example, there are far too many on eBay alone to consider them becoming valuable. They seem to be running $500 and up. But the numbers showing for availability at any given time on eBay would likely preclude any real rise in value.

I guess that depends on how much you like to have "cute" lenses in your collection, but you would be one of many.

Harsh??? sorry, but the numbers are representative of more supply than demand.

 

[sreed2006]

Swimming against the tide of the responses so far, I have and use a Zuiko 40mm F2 and think it is great. I've used it on OM film bodies, and on the Canon 5D and 5D Mark II full frame DSLR bodies using an adapter I bought from the head bartender here years ago.

One thing I think is probably true: no matter what kind of photography equipment you have, there is always something better somewhere else. But the 40/2 is a fine lens, and even if there are better lenses, they aren't a Zuiko 40/2.

 

[Tarocco]

I've heard so many different opinions on the little Zuiko 40mm I hesitated in buying one for years. I have one now, use it on full frame digital cameras (6D, A7) and love it. It's a great people lens but I wouldn't consider it for landscapes, etc. The center is sharp wide open and it has a lovely rendering style. If you want to pixel peep at 36mp it's not the lens for you. A few samples:

 

[tunebomb]

Thank you all so much for the detailed replies. I guess maybe I will end up seeking out the CV 40.

I guess for whatever reason I prefer old glass to new glass, and my only experience with new CV glass is a 35 1.4 nokton which I didn't particularly enjoy, especially with it bending straight lines.

I was hoping the OM 40 was similar in quality to other OM stuff but it seems most people here think otherwise.

Thanks again everyone!