What are the primo must have lenses for the OM system?

Thanks everyone, looks like I won't run out of glass to shop for in the near future 😉
I have a 50/1.8 on the way and will probably look to add a 85/2 next. I will probably try to work a trade as extra cash is hard to come by. Might think about trading my Rolleiflex Automat MX-EVS for some glass,,, hmmmm......
 
50 f2 Macro is one of the sharpest lenses ever made for a 35mm camera. Expensive though, and a pain to focus because of its short focus ring throw in the non-macro range.

For a great all-rount 50, the 50/1.4 with serial over 1,100,000 is one of the best 50mm f1.4 lenses made by anyone, extremely sharp even wide open. Better than the Nikon 50/1.4 in my opinion.

The 100/2.8, already mentioned here by others is a very sharp portrait lens with great bokeh and it is CHEAP compared to the 80/2, which is not as sharp and costs 3 times as much used.

The 28/2.8 and 24/2.8 are both better than the f2 versions and cost very little.

The 40/2 pancake lens is neat, great bokeh and perfect focal length for street photography. I used mine A LOT for that when I lived in Santa Fe. Unfortunately very expensive. Its not as sharp as the 50mm zuikos, especially wide open (it sucks wide open) but from f2.8 down it is good.
 
All the primes i used were decent. i didn't think they were any better or worse than my Nikkor lenses. The one I particularly liked was the 35-80/2.8. Though I didn't use it extensively, it was a beast in its time.
 
Also keep in mind OM lenses are must slower than their rating from what I've seen. My 55/1.2 was close to a t/2.8. Most of my other Zuiko's were at least a stop slower than equivalent rated Nikkor lenses.
 
A question for Chis maybe?

I have the 24mm f2.8 ... it's haze and dust free but seems to be very flare prone to me ... extrordinarily so in fact!

Is this normal for this lens because it's way worse than any other Zuiko I own ... aim it at any light source and away it goes!
 
Zuiko lenses are fantastic!

My choice would be
Zuiko 85/2 (superb in every way!)
Zuiko 24/2 (never owned it but a friend has it and I've envied him ever since he got it)
 
If this is your first experience of Oly OMs I think I would have a standard 50mm f1.8 as a starter. If you get hold of one of the later type with 'made in japan' written round the lens it shouldn't cost you 'an arm and a leg', but any other in good condition is worth a trial. See how you like the system, how the lens focuses, how the aperture ring feels in your fingers and run a favourite make of film through. Then take stock. Did the camera balance well in your hands? (important this). How do you feel about it in comparison with your other cameras? Do you now want to extend the system? What do you want to do with the camera that you can't with the standard lens?
I suppose I am naturally cautious - like to have some money in my pocket and keep it there. No use spending out and then regreting it. Nevertheless the suggestions and advice the other guys have given is valuable and interesting - and it's on the basis of their experiences. If, and it's a big if, you can get to try other lenses on your cameras before you buy, that would be ideal. However there seems to be a good market for quality Oly lenses if you decide you don't like something you have.
I graduated to Oly OMs, deviated, and have now returned.
Whatever, have fun.
jesse
 
I only have the wide fl Zuikos and use them on crop DSLR. As such, my fav is the 2/21 and 2/28. Next up would be the super expensive Zeiss' offerings. I heard a lot of good things about the 2/40 but rare and expensive.

If you are on a budget, I would highly recommend the 28/3.5. It's no slouch. I got mine for USD10 attached with OM10. On film/FF DSLR, this tiny one is sharp corner to corner.

At any rate, hood is highly recommended, especially if you get a SC older version instead of multi-coated ones.
 
TWoK said:
Also keep in mind OM lenses are must slower than their rating from what I've seen. My 55/1.2 was close to a t/2.8. Most of my other Zuiko's were at least a stop slower than equivalent rated Nikkor lenses.
Click to expand...

That 2 and a half stops. If you thought that, most likely the camera body needed its meter checked. I've shot OM and Nikon (with an F4) side by side and got identical meter readings and exposures.
 
Thanks again everyone for all the great information, you've given me quite a bit of data to digest.
Jesse, I am doing exactly what you said. Once I bought the OM-2 I ordered a 50/1.8 and they should both arrive tomorrow. I will run a few rolls through and If it seems like a good fit for me I'll start picking up a few more lenses. The first will probably be the 85/2 as I like that length quite a bit.
John
 
All Zuikos are good - pick your lenses for their focal length, and you will get some good ones. I've got 4, 21mm, a couple 50s, and a 100:

olysystem.jpg
 
John
The 85/2 might be a bit difficult to find. Goodness knows what the price might be either. You might consider the 100/2.8 as an alternative - a bit longer, and a bit slower but .... It might be a bit cheaper if you are on a budget!!
jesse
 
24/2 - landscape, indoor
35/2 - street, all purpose really
85/2 - portrait
135/? - short tele, perfect pairing with the 35mm for street/travel <-- the only one missing in my kit
300/4.5 - birds, bears, etc.
35-70/3.6 - if you like zoom

2659594358_f1e5d1bc8b_m.jpg

* not a current snapshot of the OM kit, but looks about the same.
 
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I'm a recent convert to the OM system, having purchased a used OM1 body with 3 lenses on Ebay back in the summer. I have the 50 1.9 MIJ, the 28 3.5 and the 35-70 3.6.

The zoom is kinda growing on me, wasn't too interested when I first got it but it's a nice lens (big, heavy piece of glass)

I've since purchased a second OM1 body and both have visited the good doctor John Hermanson for overhauls.

Paul
 
Keith said:
A question for Chis maybe?

I have the 24mm f2.8 ... it's haze and dust free but seems to be very flare prone to me ... extrordinarily so in fact!

Is this normal for this lens because it's way worse than any other Zuiko I own ... aim it at any light source and away it goes!
Click to expand...

I haven't had the lens for long, but I didn't notice any flare with streetlights on a foggy night. According to this site there were MultiCoated and non-MC versions of the lens. I think I remember something about brown coatings (non-MC) vs purple ones (MC).

Actually this page is useful for anyone looking into OM lenses:
http://www.datasync.com/~farrar/zuiko.html

So far I have the 21/2, 24/2.8 and miJ 50/1.8. I'd like to try the 28/2, which I hear is excellent.
 
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Chriscrawfordphoto said:
That 2 and a half stops. If you thought that, most likely the camera body needed its meter checked. I've shot OM and Nikon (with an F4) side by side and got identical meter readings and exposures.
Click to expand...
That was mounted on a 5D with proper adapters. I'm not the only one to notice this issue. The 55/1.2 is the slowest 1.2 lens around. For the most part I found my Zuiko's slow across the range for their advertised f-stop.
 
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