Olympus Q&A thread

[zuiko85]

Reverse mount rings were available for the OM mount lenses. Consisted of a 49mm to OM mount that screwed into the filter thread and a piece that went on the lens mount with a dummy pin to make the lens stop down to whatever aperture it was set at. Focus fixed at one point only if mounted directly on the camera. There are a number of cheap adapters on ebay, some costing less than $5 but they have no provision for stopping the lens down. The real limitation of reverse adapters however is that, while mounted directly to the body the reproduction ratio is fixed.

 

[sreed2006]

Macro/micro photography question: has anyone here tried going beyond 1:1 reproduction? I'd like to try getting 2:1 or 3:1 reproduction. I realize a bellows wil likely be necesary. Having a flat plane of focus is important too. I own the 50mm f3.5 macro, but it seems to be hitting its limit at 1:1. I'd mainly use it on a m43 body. I know there are several other macros on the om system and am having a tough time weighing their relative merits. Any suggestions? Thanks!

There was a discussion about SLR macro photography late last year that might be helpful.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139005

 

[Chucknova]

I will have an opportunity next week to look at an OM1 and two OM lenses (28mm f3.5 and 75-150mm f4) for sale locally on Craigslist, supposedly in excellent cosmetic and operating condition (for $40!).

I have many manual focus cameras and I'm not sure if I want to get into another brand. I'm interested because I have heard many good things about these cameras but online information about the lenses seems indicate quality can be hit or miss. If I did pick this up I'd likely have the body CLA'd and pick up a 50mm and possibly a 200mm lens so I would spend more money on it.

Please comment, especially on the lens quality. For context, as you can see from my list of cameras I'm not a "high-end" camera user and just a long-time serious amateur.

The cameras you list are all capable of producing of producing world-class images. It's your eye that counts.

 

[Chucknova]

I will have an opportunity next week to look at an OM1 and two OM lenses (28mm f3.5 and 75-150mm f4) for sale locally on Craigslist, supposedly in excellent cosmetic and operating condition (for $40!).

I have many manual focus cameras and I'm not sure if I want to get into another brand. I'm interested because I have heard many good things about these cameras but online information about the lenses seems indicate quality can be hit or miss. If I did pick this up I'd likely have the body CLA'd and pick up a 50mm and possibly a 200mm lens so I would spend more money on it.

Please comment, especially on the lens quality. For context, as you can see from my list of cameras I'm not a "high-end" camera user and just a long-time serious amateur.

The cameras in your list are capable of world-class results.It's your eye that counts. I've used Olympus for 35 years, and can say that they are terrific but you'll have to supply the character.

 

[Moto-Uno]

Help
I've finally got an OM-1n (with working meter) and would like to use my 42mm thread
lenses with this body. Only things I've been able to find are for the Olympus 4/3 digital bodies.
Does anyone know if such an adapter exists for these film bodied Olympus' ? Peter

 

[Range-rover]

Try ebay mostly everything on there.

Range

 

[Moto-Uno]

^ Most everything except a 42mm to OM-1 film camera body. Anybody know for sure if this exists ? Peter

 

[Landshark]

Ummmm. A 43>49mm step up ring on the lens and 49mm reversing ring* would do it.

*Olympus mount

 

[Range-rover]

^ Most everything except a 42mm to OM-1 film camera body. Anybody know for sure if this exists ? Peter

You checked, somebody must know as above

 

[Tiger 68]

^ Most everything except a 42mm to OM-1 film camera body. Anybody know for sure if this exists ? Peter

I went on a similar quest a few years ago, with no success. I did find a reference (long since lost) to an adapter that required an intermediate lens to reach infinity focus, but already then the link was not working.

Most, if not all, references to OM mount adapters on ebay and the web in general are really talking about m4/3 adapters.

Good Luck,
BV

 

[Moto-Uno]

^^ What?
^ That's pretty much all I've found,wonder why? Pretty much every other camera brand
seems to have one available. Peter

 

[jajong]

Well, have a look here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/M42-lens-to...t=US_Filter_Rings_Holders&hash=item3f02809b63

It will probably NOT focus to infinity (doesn't appear to have a corrective lens), but it certainly will do macro.
Cheers,
Jan

 

[David Hughes]

^^ What?
^ That's pretty much all I've found,wonder why? Pretty much every other camera brand
seems to have one available. Peter

Hi,

I think the answer is because no one wants to use non-OM lenses on OM bodies. Most film lens adapters are made to fit the old mount lenses on the new mount bodies and in Olympus's case few people have the previous SLR and so Olympus decided not to bother. And without an Olympus version to copy...

Regards, David

 

[Moto-Uno]

Well, "Jajong" I've placed my order, cheap enough to give it a try. Thanks, Peter

 

[jajong]

Hi Moto-Uno, I hope it works out well. Please let us know.
Cheers,
Jan

 

[Moto-Uno]

^ Well as it turns out it didn't work. One of the three flanges (where it mounts to the OM body needed filing to fit) then of course it became painfully obvious why it wouldn't focus, the lens when threaded in stopped at least 1/4" further out from the body ( and film plane )
The adapter ring would have to be counterbored back into the mounting flange, which is pretty much impossible. It was cheap, so no tears of regret.
Peter

 

[oftheherd]

^ Well as it turns out it didn't work. One of the three flanges (where it mounts to the OM body needed filing to fit) then of course it became painfully obvious why it wouldn't focus, the lens when threaded in stopped at least 1/4" further out from the body ( and film plane )
The adapter ring would have to be counterbored back into the mounting flange, which is pretty much impossible. It was cheap, so no tears of regret.
Peter

Have you considered bellows? Many if not most bellows required adapters for the camera and lens being used. That would allow you to fit M42 lenses on the front, and an Olympus mount on the back, to fit on your camera. I think the added distance of the bellows between the camera and the lens would work out to about 1:1. Extending the bellows would allow you to get greater magnifications. A lot of M42 lenses, and some other manufacturers as well, had a switch for manual aperture. That is, it didn't stay open and just compensate with the camera's meter for measuring. You would of course have to use stop down mode on your camera, but you said your meter was working.

 

[Tiger 68]

^ Well as it turns out it didn't work. One of the three flanges (where it mounts to the OM body needed filing to fit) then of course it became painfully obvious why it wouldn't focus, the lens when threaded in stopped at least 1/4" further out from the body ( and film plane )
The adapter ring would have to be counterbored back into the mounting flange, which is pretty much impossible. It was cheap, so no tears of regret.
Peter

Sorry to hear that it didn't work out. I had high hopes that you had found that particular Holy Grail.
BV

 

[Moto-Uno]

^^ Thanks for the other suggestions,but I believe they're a case of throwing good money after bad. None of the "work arounds" allow use of the lens as they were designed.
Peter

 

[DCB]

Why is my OM1 so much smoother than my OM4T? From the winding to the shutter release...the 1 is just like butter.

Peace