Tuesday 26 November 2013

Olympus Zuiko MC Auto-S 50 mm 1:1.8 [OM]

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 is one my favourite lenses. I used it with Olympus OM-10, then Olympus E-3 and now with Lumix G-2. Every time works great. It's not the fastest of Zuiko 50s , but a very common and useful one. Attached to M4/3 camera gives you a portrait or a close-up lens. During some tests I used it for nature close-ups, because what's most interesting is the bokeh!

Olympus used to manufacture a lot of great 50s. There's of course 50/1.4, but also a nice 55/1.2, which was slightly radioactive. Well, some of them, but those are highly collectible and therefore pricey right now.
However, I like my 50/1.8 and all the effects I can with it.

Taken from the same place, with same settings, but focused at different distance

Zuiko 50/1.8 is a compact, rather light lens. Significantly smaller than most of "digital" 50s designed for DSLRs. If you don't need an autofocus standard, this is a good choice to keep in your bag.

Olympus Zuiko MC 50 mm 1.8
Olympus Zuiko MC 50/1.8 compared to (left to right):
Meopta Openar 40/1.8 (C-mount)
Fujian 35/1.7
and Fujian 25/1.4
It's really sharp and it seems direct light doesn't affect it. You can take a closer look at some samples.
Camera: Lumix G2
Aperture: all photos were taken with aperture F1.8
Mount: M4/3 > 4/3 > OM
Edit: PS CS6 50% scaling

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 against the sun. Maybe a little less sharp then usually.


It is possible to isolate an object from its background.

Here you can see how easy it is to get out of focus. There's only a sweet spot focused properly @1.8.
I got into taking close-ups, so I forgot to take any distance shots. As usually - view from my window was perfect for that. I event captured a bit sunset.

Light on a tree comes from window reflection.
Lens flare! Not as pretty as in Vivitar 28/2.8 OM.

Finally aperture test. There are seven positions on aperture ring and no "halfs". Please, mind that it was a rather windy day, so F1.8 is a bit unfocused and F16 is slightly moved.

Olympus Zuiko 50 mm 1.8 @1.8

Olympus Zuiko 50 mm 1.8 @2.8

Olympus Zuiko 50 mm 1.8 @4.0

Olympus Zuiko 50 mm 1.8 @5.6

Olympus Zuiko 50 mm 1.8 @8.0

Olympus Zuiko 50 mm 1.8 @11.0

Olympus Zuiko 50 mm 1.8 @16.0
And here comes very nice GIF animation made by Picasa. I really like that :)


3 comments:

  1. Truly excellent lenses. Value has been noticed so prices increasing. Smaller than all other 135 format 50mm lenses?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's definitely smaller and lighter than soviet Helios, but when you add all the adapters - C-mount lenses are winners :)
      I've added a shot with some lenses for comparison, if you'd like to take a look at.

      Delete
  2. Wow, it's amazing thing!
    I love your blog! :)

    ReplyDelete