What old Zuiko lens?

[bavanor]

Hey fellow Olympus owners. If you were going to buy some of the older Zuilko lens to use with the adapter for the Olympus E-1, which lenses would you get?

Aaron

[ditto1958]

The cheapest and perhaps one of the best for using with an adapter is the plain old 50mm f1.8. Some of the images I have seen posted using them on E-system cameras are astoundly good.

They are extremely common on ebay. I actually got one once for about $2 (not including S & H of course). If you can't find a good one being sold separately, buy a cheap OM-1 or OM-10 that has one included. It basically comes free with the camera. You can sell the camera back again and probably will get about the same as you paid for camera and lens.

I wouldn't pay a lot of money for the expensive fast OM Zuikos. The OM's seem to work best when stopped down a bit. The 135mm f3.5 is also a pretty inexpensive one that seems to work pretty well with an adapter.

The fun part about it is experimenting. There are lots of old Zuikos available and many are not too expensive.

[bavanor]

Thanks Ditto. I am just curious what other people think would be the best lens to use on the new digital system. Price shouldn't play that much of a part. I just don't know much about the old lenses.

aaron

[ditto1958]

Here's an interesting article John Foster did comparing quite a few OM lenses on E cameras:

http://www.biofos.com/cornucop/omz_e1.html

[Paul Shields]

I've been playing around with a few old Z's. I found the 50mm 1.8 to be very sharp and clear. The 50mm 3.5 Macro really works well in macro ( ). I've had some great shots with the 24mm 2.8, lovely contrasty images. The 135mm 2.8 becomes a very nice and bright long lens. Don't forget other brands as well though - I recently snagged a Tamron SP f/2.5 90mm macro - and it's resolving power is incredible. Also the Vivitar Series 1 lenses can be measured up to the Zuiko's in certain lengths. I would also recommend getting the 2XA converter, which will double up the focal length of most Zuiko's. This link has some nice detail on the various OMZ's - click me

There's a whole world of 'classic' lenses out there waiting to be snapped up - shame we can't go really wide with them on our E-x's though*

[bavanor]

Thanks for the ideas and links everybody.

[FFS]

Originally Posted by Paul

I've been playing around with a few old Z's. I found the 50mm 1.8 to be very sharp and clear. The 50mm 3.5 Macro really works well in macro ( ). I've had some great shots with the 24mm 2.8, lovely contrasty images. The 135mm 2.8 becomes a very nice and bright long lens. Don't forget other brands as well though - I recently snagged a Tamron SP f/2.5 90mm macro - and it's resolving power is incredible. Also the Vivitar Series 1 lenses can be measured up to the Zuiko's in certain lengths.

Paul,

How does the Zuiko 50/3.5 macro compared to the Tamron 90/2.5 macro, in terms of contrast and sharpness?* They both are about the same price, so which one is better?* Also do you have the 52BB or 52B version of the Tamron?* (52BB - 52mm objective, 52B - 49mm objective)

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by FFS

Paul,

How does the Zuiko 50/3.5 macro compared to the Tamron 90/2.5 macro, in terms of contrast and sharpness? They both are about the same price, so which one is better? Also do you have the 52BB or 52B version of the Tamron? (52BB - 52mm objective, 52B - 49mm objective)

That's a great question, and I wish I could answer it. Unfortunately the 90/2.5 literally snapped in half in my hands after only shooting a 'roll' (I tihnk I got screwed on *bay). However, the detail I got from it was really very good (I'll see if I still have some examples). It gets a lot closer than the Zuiko 50/3.5 and seems to be very well built. So much so that I have a snipe on another one that's ending in an hour or so. I think the Tamron is a great buy and I'm determined to get another one. Also looking for the Tamron tubes - I think it will be an outstanding macro option on any E* camera. For the types of macro stuff I'm into the lack of AF or auto exposure is not a problem. Can't wait to get another.

[FFS]

Originally Posted by Paul

That's a great question, and I wish I could answer it. Unfortunately the 90/2.5 literally snapped in half in my hands after only shooting a 'roll' (I tihnk I got screwed on *bay).

Ouch.* Sorry about that.* How could that happen, does the lens body come apart by itself or is there a piece of the lens that breaks?

I agree re: Tamron lens quality, escpecially the 90/2.5 which is known to be a very good quality portrait/macro lens. Both the 52BB and 52B versions are not made anymore and have been replaced by the 90/2.8. The Adaptall mount is also a nice feature that opens up the option of using the lens with different bodies.

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by FFS

Ouch. Sorry about that. How could that happen, does the lens body come apart by itself or is there a piece of the lens that breaks?

The focus ring was very sticky, so I took the lens off the E-1 and gave it a bit more of a forceful twist. The lens actually split in two! The insides have a screw thread running inside the body and I must have sheared it off... I mustn't know my own strength. It had beautiful internal construction though (apart from snapping in half!).

I'm actively seeking another as I thought it was a great lens while it lasted. Hope to get one with the tubes included.

[nsurit]

I use my 85mm f2 frequently. The Tamron SP 90mm f2.5 is a good one as well as the Zuiko 50mm f3.5. The Tamron 180mm f2.5 is nice. The 50mm 1.2 or 55mm f1.2 give you and equivalent 100mm or 110mm f1.2 which isn't too shabby. If you are using these manual focus lenses, you might as well get a set of extension tubes . . . heck you might even want to get an OM body and shoot some film. Bill Barber

[FFS]

How about Tamron SP 80-200 2.8 (model 30A)? Anybody using the adaptall version zoom lens with the E-Series? I know it is heavier, has less coverage, and is manual only compared to ZD 50-200, but the lens is a bit faster and cost about a quarter of ZD 50-200.

[nsurit]

Originally Posted by Paul

That's a great question, and I wish I could answer it. Unfortunately the 90/2.5 literally snapped in half in my hands after only shooting a 'roll' (I tihnk I got screwed on *bay). However, the detail I got from it was really very good (I'll see if I still have some examples).* It gets a lot closer than the Zuiko 50/3.5 and seems to be very well built. So much so that I have a snipe on another one that's ending in an hour or so. I think the Tamron is a great buy and I'm determined to get another one. Also looking for the Tamron tubes - I think it will be an outstanding macro option on any E* camera. For the types of macro stuff I'm into the lack of AF or auto exposure is not a problem. Can't wait to get another.

Are you sure the Tamron didn't just have an extension tube attached to it and that is what can off? These lenses are made like tanks, I find it hard to believe it just broke in two. The extension tube, is supposed to come off as the lens can be used either eith it or without it. Don't mean to treat you like an idiot and some folks who have never used manual focus much, may think they broke it when it came apart. Bill Barber

[Paul Shields]

No - you can treat me like an idiot, that's not a problem . It definitely sheared in the middle (with little bits of metal fragments sticking out ). I'll see if I can find out where I chucked it and post a pic of it. Either I have a lot more strength than I realised or there was something wrong with this example. I was very impressed with the internal construction though! This was the 49mm filter model, which I think was all metal - my replacement has the 55mm filter and has some plastic components, and also has the 1:1 tube.

[bavanor]

We want pictures Paul. What were you thinking by not posting them in the first place. Must see disaster of the lens.

[FFS]

Originally Posted by Paul

This was the 49mm filter model, which I think was all metal - my replacement has the 55mm filter and has some plastic components, and also has the 1:1 tube.

I would be more careful with the 55mm (52BB), since parts of its body is made of plastic. It is common to see cracked plastic aperture window in 52BB. I can actually feel the lens creaks a bit if I hold the plastic part to turn it to mount on to the camera. I feel it is safer to hold on to the metal parts when turning. Despite this shortcoming, I think 52BB is the newer model that replaces the 52B (49mm).

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by bavanor

We want pictures Paul. What were you thinking by not posting them in the first place. Must see disaster of the lens.

Unfortunately, I must have binned it as I can't find it. As a small consolation, here's a snap of the replacement Tamron and tube (with hood from the broken Tamron - available for free with caps for anyone who wants one - maybe I'll post this in the 'giveaway' thread). Also is my recently snagged OM 1.8 50mm ('made in Japan' version) which was basically new in box - I can't see any sign of usage whatsoever, either on the camera or the packaging. Only a small premium on the usual 1.8's going all the time on ebay. However, I'm not one for leaving things on the shelf so this will be getting well used either on the E-1 or OM4ti.