OM, I've become a Zuikoholic!

My dear fellow Zuikoholics - now that Rangefinderforum is back online: I scanned a number of images from the 21mm f/2.0 recently. I have a love/hate relationship with this lens: At f/4.0 and less, it's extraordinary across the frame - really on top of its game. I'm talking Zeiss-distagon 21mm game here. But there are times when that f/2.0 aperture is really necessary. It has hellacious optical aberrations anywhere off-centre at this aperture though - so don't even think of using it in bright light at this aperture if you're photographing a reasonably flat field. But in darkness, it's really quite useful. And the OM-3Ti finder plus 2-series screen is an extraordinary experience with this lens in the dark.


At f/4 - f/5.6:

main_street_life_by_philosomatographer-d4ixayp.jpg


screen_printing_workshop_by_philosomatographer-d4ixb50.jpg


old_book_press_by_philosomatographer-d4ixbhj.jpg


In extreme darkness, at f/2.0:

visible_from_above_by_philosomatographer-d4ixbu6.jpg


four_walling_by_philosomatographer-d4ixbdt.jpg


heartlight_by_philosomatographer-d4ixbpj.jpg


I had a brief experimental flirtation with a Nikon F, which may yet find a permanent place in my life. The 1960s Nikkor-H.C 50/2.0 might just be the best fifty ever, for my money, and the things are built better than Leicas.

But I think the Olympus remains the best tool for me when it comes to 35mm, I am afraid...
​
 
I guess I have to put my hand up also

I guess I have to put my hand up also

Hello all, first post, though have been lurking and using a lot of the posts here to decide on my purchase below.

Very exciting night for me , today I have just bought the outfit listed below, yes, it is not strictly all Olympus but the base of it is......I am a bit chuffed.....my Xmas gift to myself......it is all in wonderful condition and I look forward to using it.

[FONT=&quot]Camera Bodies
Olympus OM2 x 1
Olympus OM2n (type 1) x 1
Olympus OM2n (type 2) x 1

Additional Focusing Screens
1-1 x 1
1-3 x 1
1-5 x 1
1-7 x 1

Winders
Olympus Winder 1 x 2
Olympus Winder 2 x 1

Flashphoto Group
Olympus Bounce Grip 2 x 2
Olympus Electronic Flash T32 x 3
Olympus Electronic Flash Zoom Adapter T32 x 2
Olympus TTL Auto Cord T0.3m x 1
Olympus TTL Auto Cord T0.6m x 2
Olympus TTL Auto Cord T2m x 1
Olympus TTL Auto Cord T5m x 1
Olympus TTL Auto Multi Connector x 1
Olympus Accessory Shoe 3 x 1
Olympus Accessory Shoe 4 x 3
Olympus TTL Auto Connector Type 3 x 3
Olympus TTL Auto Connector Type 4 x 1

Lenses
Sigma 16mm F2.8 Fisheye, Standard filters Y52, O56, R60, case.
Tokina 17mm F3.5 Wide, LMC1 filter, pouch.
Zuiko 50mm F3.5 Macro, case.
Zuiko 50mm F1.4 Standard, Skylight filter, Aluminium hood, case.
Tokina ATX 28-85mm F3.5-4.5 Zoom, Skylight filter, pouch.
Tokina ATX 35-200mm F3.5-4.5 Zoom, Skylight filter, pouch.
Vivitar 35-200mm F3-4.5 Zoom, Skylight filter, pouch.
Tokina 100-300mm F5.6 Zoom, Skylight filter, pouch.
Sigma 600mm F8 Catadioptric, standard filters, case.
Kenko 2X Teleplus MC7, case. x 2
Vivitar Auto Extension Tubes 12mm, 20mm, 36mm, pouch.
Zelox Zoom Slide Duplicator.
Tamron Adaptall 2 mount for OM

Filters
55mm - Y (K2) - O (G) - R (25A) - 81A - PL - Star Six - Duto - Pulsator - Fog A - Fog B.
62mm - 81A - PL.
72mm - Skylight
46-58 Adapter
49-55 Adapter
52-58 Adapter

Odds
570mm x 420mm x 205mm Aluminium camera case.
Changing bag.
White Flash Umbrella.
Several lens caps and hoods.
Puffer brush
Instruction Manuals[/FONT]
 
tomalophicon said:
Leeston, what's a Pulsator filter?
Click to expand...

I did not have a clue, so I Googled and found the following:

"Each point of light becomes a burst of colour of equal energy.
Hard to create this effect in PS "

"diffracting filter that splits the incoming light into its various
colour components – Spectra – Pulsator – Andromeda"

I will have to use and check it out..
 
Advise requested.

I'm considering either an OM 21/2 or 24/2 for use on OM-4T and E-5 cameras.

On OM-4T the idea for use is with flash for parties and groups and then on E-5 as a standard lens.

Any comments about preferences for one or the other appreciated.

(My other OM lenses are 50/1.8 and 350/2.8)

Thanks,

Texsport
 
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I'm going to have to try my 21mm f2.0 some more. I've had it for years (original owner), but I've barely used it, although I've been very pleased with the color and sharpness of the pics from the few times I used it. Mine is in mint condition, but the focusing ring turns a bit stiffly, although smoothly. I think this probably from disuse, as it is starting to turn more easily after I've been turning the ring back and forth a bunch of times -- probably redistributing the lubricant.

I've tended to use a Zuiko 24mm f2.8 (multicoated version) or Zuiko 18mm (w/hood) when I need something wide. Both of those lenses are superb, being sharp across the picture field, and are universally regarded as excellent lenses. Unfortunately, a good condition 18mm is now really hard to find, especially with the matching hood that you need to use filters on the lens.
 
hi, i never had the chance to try the 21f2, would love it, but i had the 24f2 and it is such a great lens at close range, they can show quite a lot of distortion at mid range. i might look for another one! 😉

Om4 24f2





 
ok, now me too....

Bought my first OM 1 in 1977. That got stolen, and I replaced it with an OM 1n about 1981.
Sometime around 1990, the light meter wasn't working properly anymore, and I stopped using it.

I've got a 1.8/50, a 3.5/28, and a 2.8/135 - a gem of a lens.

Recently I had the body refurbed and converted to 1.5 V. Just got back from a trip to Asia with it. Can't wait to get the films into my darkroom.

Hope to be able to post the first images soon
 
Speaking of 24mm lenses, what do you folks think of the 24mm shift? I have one, but haven't actually taken photos with it in years -- partially for fear that the enormous, beautiful front element (which doesn't take any filters) will get bashed or scratched. I should get over this psychological hangup!

I have used a 35mm shift (a rare multi-coated one) a fair bit lately, and it does take sharp pics, even though using the manual diaphram is a bit time-consuming. It''s alot more compact and does take 49mm filters to protect the front element.
 
The 24/2 used to be my primary OM wide angle lens. I had a very beat-up, early (1970s) silver-nosed copy with some heave yellowing (these definitely also had radioactive elements in them, mine cleared up somewhat after leaving it in the sun for a week).

It was a truly great performer, even wide-open (better corrected than the 21/2 wide open, for sure). I gave it to my dear brother, and switched to a 21/2:


Montecasino Rearranged
Montecasino_Rearranged_by_philosomatographer.jpg

(OM-1n, 24mm at f/2.0, Kodak TMZ P3200, 5x7in darkroom print)

Mothership Bar
Mothership_Bar_by_philosomatographer.jpg

(OM-2n, 24mm at f/2.0, Ilford FP4+, 8x10in darkroom print)​
 
Happy Holidays everyone!

Here's a photo celebrating the season, taken with the OM1, 50/1.4 and Kodak Portra 400. It's underexposed two stops. Unfortunately, no one in town push processes color film any more, but Portra does surprisingly well anyway, despite my lack of technical skills or that of my local drug store's photo lab!

That's my wife in downtown Greensboro at the Festival of Lights. The city kicks off the Holiday season by closing the streets, lighting the big tree in City Park and a big party breaks out with music on every other street corner.


6534073081_3516301a9d_b.jpg
[/url]
Nanci, My Deer by pggunn1, on Flickr[/IMG]
 
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