OM, I've become a Zuikoholic!

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.

Pixel peeping on my OMD, my 50/1.4 (sn.394858) is tack sharp at f2.0.

p1424114302.jpg
 
I think it's one of the best fifties I've ever shot. Sharp wide open even.

Mine too - comparable to the v3/v4 M Summicrons that I used. And my OM 50/1.4 (> 1.1Mio) is very good as well, comparable to my v2 M-Summilux.

My conclusion of these discussions are:

1) most Zuikos had strong sample variation. And I've experienced it with other focal lengths as well (28/2 and 85/2). If you have a good Zuiko, keep it.
2) newer lenses are likely better, and if only because the manufacturing process must have improved.
3) Macros have to be built to tighter tolerances. The impact of sample variation must be less when you look at non-macro behavior.

Also, on a tripod, with normal cable release use, I get "sharper" pictures with my Nikons (F, F3, and FM) than with my OMs (and I've tried OM[1234]). Then again, Nikons are louder. Must have something to do with how mirror damping is implemented and sequenced with the shutter. Cameras are not just light-tight boxes. I like my current OM1 and OM2 bodies. But since I've tried the Nikons, I will continue to use OMs hand-held only.

One more note for you tripod users: if you want best results with your OM1, fold up the mirror before exposing. And at exposures longer than 10 sec, the viewfinder can leak onto film - found that out only last year. The best remedy is an eye piece cover as made for Pentax cameras (it fits).

Roland.
 
Also, on a tripod, with normal cable release use, I get "sharper" pictures with my Nikons (F, F3, and FM) than with my OMs (and I've tried OM[1234]). Then again, Nikons are louder. Must have something to do with how mirror damping is implemented and sequenced with the shutter. Cameras are not just light-tight boxes. I like my current OM1 and OM2 bodies. But since I've tried the Nikons, I will continue to use OMs hand-held only.
Roland.

I once read this is due to the way the aperture is actuated on Olympus bodies (ie pushed instead of released)
 
Thanks, Steve. Remind me (I don't have my 4 anymore), does the OM4 move the mirror at the beginning of the cycle when used with self timer ? I recall something about it that made tripod use easier ....

BTW, I obviously like that I can close the eye piece on my F3 finders (note that I now use the DE-2 on your old/my new camera :) ).
 
All of the 50mm Zuikos that I've used have been fine, with the exception of the old 55mm F1.2 which I found almost unusably soft when the aperture was fully open. I bought a 50mm 1.8 back in 1979 when I bought my first OM-1 and it is still a very sharp, contrasty lens.
 
I have an 50mm 1.8 F. Zuiko... and I'm really happy with it!

One picture taken in the beach, the past weeks with the OM-1N:

 
Motor drive covers sell for rather more than battery covers. The battery cover for my OM2SP is the same size as a motordrive cover.

That said, i still haven't got one. I do, however, have a couple of OM battery covers which don't fit.
 
Zuiko 180mm f2.8

Zuiko 180mm f2.8

Don't hear much about this lens. Is it not as good as the regularly discussed 28's, 50's and 85mm? I've seen one going recently for a reasonable price, and I just wondered what everyone's thoughts were about it. How does it compare to it's famous Nikon rival?
 
Don't hear much about this lens. Is it not as good as the regularly discussed 28's, 50's and 85mm? I've seen one going recently for a reasonable price, and I just wondered what everyone's thoughts were about it. How does it compare to it's famous Nikon rival?

http://zone-10.com/cmsm/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=268&Itemid=97

youre not going to find that many long lens fans around here. the interest tends to top out at around ~100mm. this is the rangefinder forum, after all.
 
^^^ speak for yourself, redisburning :)

Don't hear much about this lens. Is it not as good as the regularly discussed 28's, 50's and 85mm? I've seen one going recently for a reasonable price, and I just wondered what everyone's thoughts were about it. How does it compare to it's famous Nikon rival?

The 180/2.8 is my favorite Zuiko. It's really, really good, and exceptionally compact (smaller than the respective Nikkor, and an ED lens, too).

Hand-held:

4.jpg


Roland.
 
Back
Top Bottom