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

Maybe think of it as what "kit" you want to build.

I used to be a 50-kind-of-guy and my kit consisted of 28-50-100, but my vision and attitude to photography has slightly changed and now I prefer 40 as my standard lens. Unfotunately the Zuiko 40 is too expensive, so 35 will have to do for now. I already have 85, and I'm looking for 24/2.8 to complete the slightly wider kit 24-35-85.
 
I LOVE my sub 1.1mil 50/1.4...probably my favorite lens all around. I am also enjoying my 35/2.8 (I had the 35/2 and wasn't impressed, especially wide open). I also have the 28/3.5 which is great and the Tamron 90/2.5 SP which is also great.

I'd love to get my hands on a 40/2 and an 85/2!
 
Well, I've learned I have a lot to learn regarding the incredible variety of lenses in the OM system. My OM-2 arrived yesterday and the 50/1.8 today and I'm in the process of running some Porta NC 400 through it now. I really like how it handles, feels comfortable to dial in the aperture setting and focus.... The wish list is starting and will probably grow as lenses are added and new lenses are needed....;) but now...... 85/2 or 100/2, 24/2.8, along with the 50/1.8 I have will be a good start....
John
 
I'm new to the OM system, will be starting out with the 28/2, 40/2, 35-70/3.5-4.5 and the 100/2.8.

Should cover pretty much most of what I usually photograph.

I haven't used a zoom lens in like 20 years, so should be interesting.
 
Not a great shot or post, and the ISO 800 film doesn't give the best tonality. But, here is a shot from the 21/2, wide open, closest focus.


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I see there are a couple 85/2 lenses at KEH for $349, but can't find a 100/2 anywhere. What would be the estimated price for one in very good condition? I have some gear to trade for glass but want to present a fair offer for either the 85 or 100.
John
 
I will be posting items in the classifieds trade section in a little while. I would like to get a
85/2 & 28/2 in exchange for my Rolleiflex Automat MX-EVS, 75mm f3.5 Tessar
Serial # 1490XXX. A like new Voigtlander VC Meter II, 10 rolls Tri-X 400 (120) and 20 rolls PortaNC 400 (120).
 
johnny9fingers said:
I will be posting items in the classifieds trade section in a little while. I would like to get a
85/2 & 28/2 in exchange for my Rolleiflex Automat MX-EVS, 75mm f3.5 Tessar
Serial # 1490XXX. A like new Voigtlander VC Meter II, 10 rolls Tri-X 400 (120) and 20 rolls PortaNC 400 (120).
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Well, I've posted the ad in the trade section, hope I get a few bites....My second OM-2 body arrived yesterday so the collection of OM gear continues...:D
 
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.
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I must respectfully disagree. Your camera's meter must be off or your comparison with the Nikon/Nikkor combo must be faulty. I've used my lenses extensively with Astia slide film, using both my camera meter and a Gossen Luna Pro F which matched pretty much perfectly. More importantly, the slides ended up being pretty much perfectly exposed on a consistent basis. If Zuiko lenses were really "at least a stop slower" than their rating, the slides would not have been properly exposed, particularly where exposure was manually set using a handheld light meter.
 
Dean Cho said:
I must respectfully disagree. Your camera's meter must be off or your comparison with the Nikon/Nikkor combo must be faulty. I've used my lenses extensively with Astia slide film, using both my camera meter and a Gossen Luna Pro F which matched pretty much perfectly. More importantly, the slides ended up being pretty much perfectly exposed on a consistent basis. If Zuiko lenses were really "at least a stop slower" than their rating, the slides would not have been properly exposed, particularly where exposure was manually set using a handheld light meter.
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My 55/1.2 was nearly two stops slower than my other f/1.2 lenses. It was slower than a 50/2.0 and about 1/3 faster than a 50/1.2 at f/2.8. This was not just based of off the meter reading but the actual exposure.
 
I have posted some gear in the trade section of the classifieds. I am interested in the following lenses: 35mm f2.0, 35mm f2.8, 40mm f2.0, 50mm f1.2,
85mm f2.0, 100mm f2.0, 100mm f2.8, 135mm f2.8.
Please contact me and we can work out an equitable trade of my gear for one or two or any other combination of these lenses.....
 
mabelsound said:
Can anyone explain the difference between the MIJ and non-MIJ lenses? And the ones that just say "Japan"?
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The miJ was the last version of the 50/1.8. Not a complete description, but a general guide:

First generation was "silver nose" (chrome on front surround), labeled F.Zuiko. May have been single coated, I don't know for sure, but I believe some cognescenti have said so.

Black (non "silver nose") version of F.Zuiko. Maybe same formula, not sure if coatings were changed.

both of the above are not known to be the sharpest of the Zuiko 50/1.8, but do have nice colour balance and contrast is lower (though not too low, IMO) than later versions.

Models labeled simply "Japan" are sharper and have improved coating, more contrasty, though not overly so. Most of the "Japan" versions are black nose and are multicoated, some versions say "MC", but not all lenses without the MC label are single coated.

miJ ("made in Japan") was the last/latest 50/1.8, sharpest, most advanced coating.

John and other OM experts can feel free to weigh in and correct my mistakes/omissions.

I have a silver-nose F.Zuiko (thanks,Cale!) and an miJ, in addition to a couple of 50/1.4. My daughter has a Japan MC.

They all do well with Kodachrome. :D
 
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