Olympus EPL1 with Zeiss 85mm/1.4

raid

raid

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I used to love using my old Zeiss 85/1.4 on the EP2, and now I have tried it out on the EPL1. This lens was made in Rollei QBM mount for the Rollei 35mm SLR system (maybe in the 60's or 70's?). I have used this lens on film cameras, and I loved its outcome, but I now like it even more with the digital M 4/3 cameras. The EPL1 has a 7x magnification help for focusing and internal stabilization, and since my lens has a broken aperture mechanism, and it can only be used wide open. I need this help for better focusing. The color rendition of these old Zeiss lenses are (in my opinion) first class. The perspective may be that of a 170mm lens, but I get great looking portraits from across the room.

Zeiss%20Planar%2085%201.4%20EPL1-15%20s%20new-M.jpg


I also have the 35mm/1.4 Distagon (without any flaws), which I also use with M 4/3 cameras. Both lenses are heavy.
 
Lina

Zeiss%20Planar%2085%201.4%20EPL1%20%20_-16-XL.jpg


It is my favorite in-the-shade-lens.

Dana

I took this photo a few minutes ago.

Olympus%20Zeiss%20set-3-XL.jpg
 
I also have the 50mm/1.4 Planar and the 50mm/1.8 in QBM mount. They make great portrait lenses with the M 4/3. I missed the boat once when Amedeo was going to do a few custom modifications to the 50mm lenses to be in M mount. All images shown in this thread so far are with the 85/1.4.

Lina

Olympus%20Zeiss%20set-2-XL.jpg


Dana


Zeiss%20Planar%2085%201.4%20dana-XL.jpg
 
There is no better way to get Zeiss lenses at an affordable cost than buying QBM lenses. They have gone up in price though since the introduction of M 4/3 lenses and other cameras with interchangeable mounts. I once read an article on the lenses in Shutterbug magazine, and I went on a hunt (there was no internet then). I found the pair {35/1.4 and 85/1.4} for the sum of $400 for both together. Now, each lens can cost $1000. The same lenses were also made in Contax SLR mount at a higher cost.


Lina

Zeiss%20Planar%2085%201.4%20EPL1-12s%20new.jpg


Zeiss%20Planar%2085%201.4%20EPL1%20%20_-2-XL.jpg
 
There is also a lighter 85/2.8 Sonnar les in QBM. I have not used it yet. I have a Scheider 50/1.8 and a Rolleinar 55/1.4. I will use them all.
 
Thank you, Steve. I feel most relaxed while taking photos of people when I use this combo. I focus on the eye lashes (that can be seen one by one). I wish that all modern Leica cameras had such a built in 7x or 10x magnifying assistance and IS in RFF focusing.
 
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