Olympus Zuiko MC Auto-S 50 mm 1:1.8 with Focal Reducer 0.7x [OM > EF > m4/3]

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 is my favourite manual focus lens. It's really sharp, provides good contrast and is really comfortable to use. Not to mention its creamy bokeh.
That's why I was wondering how it'd work with my

Focal Reducer 0.7x

(more elaborate description, packaging, FR photos and first impressions here).

I was waiting for over a month, but it finally came - EF > OM adapter. A really solid piece of metal I must say - a trustworthy one. It fits my EF Focal Reducer even better than EF > M42 used before.

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 without Focal Reducer EF - aperture unknown.

Previously I presented you first impressions with Micro Four Thirds Focal Reducer 0.7x with EF mount. Unfortunately, I didn't used best possible lenses. Both Beroflex 85/1.7 and MIR-1B 37/2.8 weren't the sharpest tools in my box. Also it was the middle of winter, it was snowing, so the conditions were far from perfect. Recently it got much warmer and sunnier, so today I'd like to present you razor-sharp Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 with OM mount.

Samples of Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 with Focal Reducer for Micro Four Thirds

At the beginning of this post I mentioned creamy bokeh. I had to try it again with Focal Reducer, so here it is:

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 with Focal Reducer EF - @1.8

It was warm and sunny day, but very windy. Left photo is the only one I managed to focus properly at F1.8.

A lot of people concern about the details, when using Focal Reducer. That's obvious - you're adding an extra glass element to your perfect lens - how much would it mess the picture? It turns out - not that much. Or at least for me - it's fully usable and preserved details are amazing.

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 with Focal Reducer EF - @2.8

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 with Focal Reducer EF - @1.8

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 with Focal Reducer EF - @1.8

You can see that even at F1.8 image is sharp, vivid and full of details.
But hey! What about...

...the infamous blue spot?

I've taken some shots against the sun, but didn't realised any spot that would hurt my image badly. Just typical lack of contrast and some veiling flare.

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 with Focal Reducer EF - @1.8 - shot against the sun, veiling flare visible.

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 with Focal Reducer EF - @5.6 - shot against the sun, veiling flare and a bit of rainbow visible.

In the picture below you can see some blue stains, but is that it? I'm guessing it's just a common flare. From what I've read - blue spot is supposed to appear in the centre.

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 with Focal Reducer EF - aperture unknown - shot against the sun.

Blue spot or common lens flare - doesn't matter to me. It's still a great combination!

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 WITH and WITHOUT Focal Reducer

That's the most interesting part of the test. How does the lens behave WITH and WITHOUT Focal Reducer in the same conditions.

Unfortunately... I have to admit something. I've realised this just a moment before, when I was picking photos for this post. In some shots with Focal Reducer focusing point was pushed closer. Forgive me that imperfection. I must've touched focusing ring, while changing aperture.

Also... there's no shot taken with Focal Reducer @1.8 - it was too bright and all samples were overexposed. So lets begin with F2.8.

WITH Focal Reducer

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 with Focal Reducer EF - @2.8

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 with Focal Reducer EF - @4.0

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 with Focal Reducer EF - @5.6

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 with Focal Reducer EF - @8.0

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 with Focal Reducer EF - @11

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 with Focal Reducer EF - @16

WITHOUT Focal Reducer - bare Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 without Focal Reducer EF - @2.8

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 without Focal Reducer EF - @4.0

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 without Focal Reducer EF - @5.6

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 without Focal Reducer EF - @8.0

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 without Focal Reducer EF - @11

Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 without Focal Reducer EF - @16

Final test: 100% crop samples

All 100% samples are from photos taken at aperture F2.8. 

100% crop samples from Olympus Zuiko 50/1.8 with and without Focal Reducer.

Conclusion

If you still need shooting charts, drawing diagrams and measuring - feel free to do!
For me - Focal Reducer is a perfectly usable solution, that reduces aperture value by + 1 EV step and gathers a larger field of view - something so valued at small Micro Four Thirds sensor.

Hope you enjoyed this test :) Cheers!