OM, I've become a Zuikoholic!

[TXForester]

After using the focus assist magnification some more, I can see now that this lens is still quite sharp at 3.5 😀

Unfortunately for the oil on the blades, having the lens serviced for $100 is more than it is worth, so I will keep using it as-is until I can learn some basic lens repair on lesser optics first.

Hope you get it sorted out. I've used mine on a 4/3 body (E-510).

 

[gliderbee]

My latest baby only a mother can love ...

My latest baby only a mother can love ...

In perfect working condition and it looks like a new one, but it's a hungry baby: it needs FIVE SR44 to work, plus 3 AAA in the lens itself ...

Stefan.

 

[vbsoto]

OM2n, Zuiko 28/2.8

 

[Rodchenko]

Stefan, you have the ugly duckling. Let's hope it turns out to be a swan.

I wonder if you could get sponsored by Duracell. 😀

 

[wblynch]

In perfect working condition and it looks like a new one, but it's a hungry baby: it needs FIVE SR44 to work, plus 3 AAA in the lens itself ...

Stefan.

very nice.. You are also free to use all OM mount lenses, not restricted to the "auto-focus" ones.

If I'm not mistaken the OM-30 has the focus comfirmation light for manual lenses. I could use that feature.

 

[TXForester]

If I'm not mistaken the OM-30 has the focus comfirmation light for manual lenses. I could use that feature.

I got curious about this statement and went to http://butkus.org/chinon/index.html and looked up the OM30 manual. It appears you are correct and it tells you which direction to turn the focus ring.

 

[gliderbee]

very nice.. You are also free to use all OM mount lenses, not restricted to the "auto-focus" ones.

If I'm not mistaken the OM-30 has the focus comfirmation light for manual lenses. I could use that feature.

Because of your message, I tried it, and indeed, it works very nice! It suddenly makes it quite attractive to actually use it!

Now I just need to see how long it will work with those five batteries and manual lenses.


Stefan.

 

[gliderbee]

And to make the story complete, that zoomlens can autofocus itself: I have tried it on my OM-1: just pushing the knobs at the side makes it focussing; a strange feeling for me: autofocus on a OM-1. .. I thougt it was just a powerfocus, but it actually finds the correct focus by pushing the knobs.

Stefan

 

[shadowfox]

It's been a while since I get a zuiko:

Got it today, my gamble paid off (Happy dance!!)
I blur the non-important part of the above picture 😀

 

[Noll]

I lucked out and found an OM4 w. 50/1.8, and case at a thrift store for $20 earlier today. Beautiful condition and clean too. This body did not see much use. Though at the store, the mirror was stuck up, and didn't wind. Not knowing much about its electronic operation, I recalled reading Vickko's excellent repair tutorial not too long ago and decided it was worth a chance in case it was jammed. Worst case, I'd have another 50mm lens to play with.

It turned out to be even easier than that. I popped a couple button cells in and *cue the hallelujah chorus* it sprang back to life!

I am totally geeking out about all it's features.

 

[Rodchenko]

That's a real find!

 

[Kkiuru]

Just picked up a couple of used Zuikos from some fella locally.

28mm f/ 3.5
35-70mm f/ 4

Didn't really need the 28mm, i have the f/ 2.8 version. But the little zoom, i hope it was worth the money. Never tried it b4.

Price was reasonable; both lenses + lens hood for the 28mm and 49mm Hoya skylight 1b filter - 15 EUROS!!!

 

[Noll]

Now check the battery check function and determine if it is self-canceling after 30 seconds. If so, it has updated circuitry that doesn't drain the batteries in a day or so. If not, and you must manually cancel the battery check after 30 seconds, lay in a supply of batteries and remove after using.

For $20, you have a pretty good find. Is it a "Made in Japan" 50/1.8?

Interesting issue about the battery drain. I checked and it does not stop ringing. For now I'm using cheap alkaline lr44's, so if I kill a couple to see if the drain issue applies, it will be worth it to know.

The 50/1.8 is a "black nose" version made in Japan in the 1.6 million range (did Olympus really offshore these to another country towards the end of the OM line? How sad..). I may take some test shots on my 4/3 digital to see if I can detect any differences between the old and new configuration.

Finally got her seals replaced and some sticker gunk cleaned up 😀

 

[redisburning]

The 50/1.8 is a "black nose" version made in Japan in the 1.6 million range (did Olympus really offshore these to another country towards the end of the OM line? How sad..).

it is not, see JSU's photo.

no, they did not. all of the 50/1.8s were made in Japan. I am unaware of any OM zuiko primes that were not, for that matter.

your lens appears to be from the chrome ring phase out period and is probably single coated. it is definitely a different optical formula than later lenses. having owned two MiJ 50/1.8s, honestly Id not say it's the end of the world. if you want samples, maybe FilmFan can post some, I happen to know he has one. I never bothered to shoot mine on film.

btw can someone tell me the market price for the 50/1.2?

 

[wblynch]

They were all made in Japan.

It's called that for the "made in Japan" on the lens ring, differentiating it from earlier versions. It was the last version made and had the best coatings and "improvements".

There were about 6 versions of the 50/1.8

The >1.1 million thing is for the 50/1.4. -nothing to do with the 1.8

 

[redisburning]

the wonderful world of Olympus "improvements".

sometimes they were better coatings, or completely different formulas (the 50/1.4, for example), or just made on new machines to higher standards. of course I suspect some were cost saving measures.

at any rate it would be nice if there were more resources available regarding what actually happened.

 

[wblynch]

the wonderful world of Olympus "improvements".

...of course I suspect some were cost saving measures.

EX-actly!

My observations are that the earliest lenses had a one piece mount (like a cup) with a problematic aperture lever which was changed to a more solid mount with a plate. This was an improvement since the cup style mount could be bent and then bind up the focusing. The plates could be readily replaced and light baffles more easily added by the engineers.

But the famous "Japan" and "made in Japan" 1.8's, along with the sought after >1.1 million 1.4's, had a sealed front group that can't be internally cleaned.

If anyone knows other functional changes please share.

 

[thereabouts]

Hello.

Just checking in to the 'holics thread. I've read more posts than I thought I ever would and I've learned loads. Thanks.

I got myself an OM-1n and got the battery converted and a CLA and it purrs nicely.

I have a couple of questions. I also have the 50mm 1.4 silver nose. I do find it a little bit... 'flat'. It also seems to vignette quite a lot at 1.4.

Question 1 is, is it worth me chasing down an MC version of this lens (the fabled 1.1M). Is it that big a deal? They do seem quite rare and expensive.

Question 2. I have a Topcor 58mm 1.8 lens which I never use, because it's attached to a tank of a Topcon RE-2 camera. Are there any adapters which would allow me to mount the lens on my OM-1n? eBay just seems to have adapters to fit the digital M4/3 cameras.

 

[kanzlr]

personally I found the olympus 50/1.4 (>1.1M) to be not as stellar as you would guess from the raving comments.

It is a run off the mill fast 50. Not bad at f2.8, but not stellar below.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

It says "Made in Japan" because the USA import laws require(d) it. Useful for dating things made before 1871 but that date's off the cuff. Most of the ones I've looked at are marked somewhere or the other.

Regards, David