OM, I've become a Zuikoholic!

[markus_h_photography]

Which version of the Zuiko 50/1.8?

Umm. It has MC on the front. Not "made in japan", just "japan". Whatever version that is?

 

[Trius]

Umm. It has MC on the front. Not "made in japan", just "japan". Whatever version that is?

I think version 2 ... I can't remember if there were three versions or four. Hmmm... I think four.

Yes, there is a difference with respect to both sharpness and bokeh. Zuiko-geekery has no bounds. 😀

First version silver nose (F.Zuiko) had harsher bokeh and was not as sharp at wider apertures. All aspects improved with each iteration, but I have a soft spot for the original release - the slight softness was charming. Neither of these shots show that. I vote for #2 as the Zuiko because of the bokeh.

 

[markus_h_photography]

Very good everyone. Yes the second shot is the Zuiko.

The reason I did this little test is that my main 2 film rigs at the moment are the OM2n with 50/1.8 and my Nikon FG with 50/2. Every roll I've shot with the Nikon I look at the scan and just think they look sharper and punchier than the shots I take with the Oly. So I just happened to have both cameras loaded with Pan 50 at the same time so thought that wine bottle shot might be a good way to tell differences.

I think the Nikon lens may have a bit more contrast and I think wide open it seems just as sharp as stopped down but by f4 (which is a more realistic shooting aperture anyway!) there's really nothing in it between the two. At least nothing visible in my scans anyway.

Which is just as well as this morning I just bought two black OM2n bodies. Can't wait for their arrival...

 

[markus_h_photography]

I think version 2 ... I can't remember if there were three versions or four. Hmmm... I think four.

Yes, there is a difference with respect to both sharpness and bokeh. Zuiko-geekery has no bounds. 😀

First version silver nose (F.Zuiko) had harsher bokeh and was not as sharp at wider apertures. All aspects improved with each iteration, but I have a soft spot for the original release - the slight softness was charming. Neither of these shots show that. I vote for #2 as the Zuiko because of the bokeh.

Would love to hear from some Zuiko Geeks on the different versions. I'm guessing there were four. The original "silvernose", then the "F Zuiko", then the "MC", then the MC "made in japan". I have both the F Zuiko and MC (see pic below). I have pulled them both apart for cleaning and the F zuiko appears much better built; not as plasticky inside.

 

[Trius]

The original silver nose was also designated F.Zuiko. All were multi-coated. The MC designation on the trim ring was simply branding. I would assume the multi-coating formula might have changed over the several iterations.

 

[Prest_400]

I've got a MiJ 50 1.8, great lens that surpasses many newer optics as an adapted legacy lens on my EPL2. It is deadly sharp, and the sharpest I have around for that camera.

Sadly mine fell once a couple of years ago and hit the mount. Still works perfectly fine except for wide open and close distances, where it's out of whack in my OM-1.

Well, the OM-1 itself has seen better days and it's time for a CLA. Having seen this thread I grabbed it and... It's rather jammed. Shutter releases but the button stays stuck as "down", using the selftimer and shaking it a bit returns. It began to jam by using the selftimer a couple months ago.
Thankfully it held quite well through my semester abroad, and came far with me.

I spent the morning fixing my dad's old road bike, and it's a beauty to see a classic roadworthy again. I'm not shooting 35mm lately, but I do take into account that an overhaul must be made soon.

 

[Tijmendal]

I'm looking at a Zuiko 28mm f/2.0, but am wondering what the difference between silvernose and 'normal' (eg. blacknose) is in terms of glass or build. Is it just a cosmetic difference? I would prefer a black nose, but I've found a seller that has a reasonably priced copy of the silvernose.

 

[johank]

OMs are small nice and userfriedly. My small heard have lenses between 17 and 200 mm. Much liked are 24/2,8, 85/2 and 50/3,5 or 135/4,5 Macro on a Telescopic Tube or Bellow.

I have got much information from following Books. Olympus, The OM System Lens Handbook, 208 p, 1984. Carl Shipman, How to select & use Olympus SLR Cameras, Isbn 0-89586-015-5, 208 p. Franz Pangler, The world of OM-Systems, 1975, 237 p.

If you search the Net there is a lot to get on Olympus OM.

They are trusty good compainons to my RFF Contaxes and Leicas in their own field.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

A long, long time ago I used to think that F Zuiko was the name of the designer, then I wondered why his or her brother or sister D Zuiko designed some of the lenses. Then someone told me: that was long before the internet...

Regards, David

PS In pre-internet what they told you was usually true, unlike nowadays.

 

[markus_h_photography]

Hi,

A long, long time ago I used to think that F Zuiko was the name of the designer, then I wondered why his or her brother or sister D Zuiko designed some of the lenses. Then someone told me: that was long before the internet...

Regards, David

PS In pre-internet what they told you was usually true, unlike nowadays.

Please don't forget the often overlooked uncle "G Zuiko" !

 

[ravilamir]

I think version 2 ... I can't remember if there were three versions or four. Hmmm... I think four.

Yes, there is a difference with respect to both sharpness and bokeh. Zuiko-geekery has no bounds. 😀

First version silver nose (F.Zuiko) had harsher bokeh and was not as sharp at wider apertures. All aspects improved with each iteration, but I have a soft spot for the original release - the slight softness was charming. Neither of these shots show that. I vote for #2 as the Zuiko because of the bokeh.

The repair manual mentions 5 types. Some are minor differences in bolts and bobs. Others are design or coating differences.
http://olympus.dementix.org/Hardware/PDFs/50mm_f1.8.pdf

There is a list of coatings for many lens and their serial number.
Some early 50/1.8 are referred as SC: http://olympus.dementix.org/Hardware/misc/lensCoatings.txt

 

[Trius]

There is a list of coatings for many lens and their serial number.
Some early 50/1.8 are referred as SC: http://olympus.dementix.org/Hardware/misc/lensCoatings.txt

I'm not sure that is authoritative - it appears to be a list of lenses with serial numbers and observations by owners. I'm not disputing it, but when I see SC listed and the coating characteristics having more than one colour (e.g., "purple, yellow") I have doubts.

Maybe John Hermanson can provide some insight.

 

[silkyfeet]

I'm looking at a Zuiko 28mm f/2.0, but am wondering what the difference between silvernose and 'normal' (eg. blacknose) is in terms of glass or build. Is it just a cosmetic difference? I would prefer a black nose, but I've found a seller that has a reasonably priced copy of the silvernose.

i recently found a sliver nose and would love someone to comment on this also. ive been shooting with the 28mm 2.8 and really like the 28mm focal length. as i live in uk and narrow side streets with sunny 16 is 2.8 so if im using slow speed film not shooting wide open would help with performance.

 

[adresaba]

 

[Shab]

In the last months I'm using my X-Pro 1 and some lenses. And there are some of my beloved OM lenses. 🙂

Here you have some photos:

Both with the Zuiko G 50mm 1.4.

 

[Shab]

One more with the same lens and camera, but in a different style:

 

[Darinwc]

Wow, that surprised me. I thought A was the Zuiko. I dont remember it having such nice bokeh. And it is a tad sharper than the nikkor. The Zuiko may have some vignetting though. Maybe that is the difference you are feeling.

But i think the Nikkor 50mm f1.8 would have been a better matchup. i have the long nose version and its pretty awesome. The design 6 elements in 5 groups is closer to the zuiko wheras the nikkor f2 was 6 elements 4 groups.

 

[rhl-oregon]

Delightful and deeply felt images as ever, with what I think of as your signature-- the tremendous appreciation for space surrounding your subjects.

In the last months I'm using my X-Pro 1 and some lenses. And there are some of my beloved OM lenses. 🙂

Here you have some photos:

Both with the Zuiko G 50mm 1.4.

 

[Shab]

Robert, thank you very much for your words! 🙂

 

[calebarchie]

i very much like your style too, and how you manage to make the digi and film results indiscernible from each other!

wish i lived in such a pretty place to..