Showcase Olympus 50mm f1.4 OM

[SpaceManSpiff]

OLYPMUS OM-SYSTEM ZUIKO MC AUTO-S 1:1.4 f=50mm 833279

This is a remarkably compact lens that came off an Oly OM-10 (not larger than the OM 50 f1.8 or the 28 f2.8). The lens takes a 49mm filter, but none of the following shots were with a filter.

My copy is in excellent condition. Wide open it is not very contrasty. Sharpness is good, noticeably better at f2 and impressively so by f5.6. For whatever reason, this lens is less "glowy" (I am sure there is a technical term for this) than the OM 50 1.8 that I have. The lens is a little moody, with the bokeh changing from smooth to slightly nervous (maybe depending on how far away the background is?). Very happy with the performance of this lens.


Pictures were all taken in RAW with a NEX-6, and PP processed to my liking. I did not use a lens hood. On with the show.

First some Irises.
ISO 100, f1.4, 1/320

NEX-6    ----          1/320s    ISO 100

ISO 100, f2.8, 1/80

NEX-6    ----          1/80s    ISO 100

ISO 100, f1.4, 1/500 (slight crop)

NEX-6    ----          1/500s    ISO 100

For a break in the botany monotony, a dog portrait
ISO 100, f1.4, 1/1000

NEX-6    ----          1/1000s    ISO 100

An interesting and creepy clay sculpture I came across at a artist retreat
ISO 100, f1.4, 1/2000 (Slight crop)

NEX-6    ----          1/2000s    ISO 100

and some lilacs to finish off (moderate crop)
ISO 100, f1.4 (I think, maybe f2), 1/1250

NEX-6    ----          1/1250s    ISO 100

 

[NickCyprus]

Great results!

 

[davect01]

Looks like a great lens.

 

[Amin]

Lovely photos. Looks like a very sharp lens from f/1.4 and pleasing character too.

 

[SpaceManSpiff]

Thanks guys!
Glad you liked the photos, I figured they would be more interesting than my regular test photos. I am super happy with the lens. So far I am really enjoying the OM optical formula.

 

[John D.]

Very, very nice..! I'll have to try my sample on my A7R, and I would be thrilled if my results are the same as yours.. Many thanks for posting these images!

- John

 

[SpaceManSpiff]

Thanks John! I would really like to see how your lens performs on the A7r. I have been toying with the idea of renting an A7 to see how it does with my OM legacy glass. Please post some up when you get the chance.

 

[John D.]

Hi Eric.!

It would be my pleasure! As well - I have way too many OM Zuiko lenses - so, if you want shots of most of the popular ones - let me know and I'll try to post them up, OK? They include:

OM Zuiko 16mm f/3.5 fisheye;
OM Zuiko 35mm f/2.8 shift lens
OM Zuiko 35-70mm f/3.6
OM Zuiko 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5
OM Zuiko 28-48mm f/4.0
OM Zuiko 50mm f/1.4
OM Zuiko 50mm f/1.2
OM Zuiko 100mm f/2.8

etc....

Do you want me to post the images from the 50mm f/1.4 from my A7R in this thread - or start a new thread with that combination?

Best to you!

- John

 

[SpaceManSpiff]

John, post the 50 f1.4 images here (FF is fine, I did not intend for it to be an aps-c only thread).

As for the other OM lenses, I would be very interested in seeing those images (but in a different thread obviously ).

 

[John D.]

It would be my pleasure.!

Let me try for tomorrow, OK? And I'll post them in this thread from my A7R.

As well - I did post images from the OM Zuiko 50mm f/1.2 (actually - I have a few of those - interestingly enough?) - in this thread:

https://www.talkemount.com/showthread.php?t=6517&page=2

Anyway - if you have any lenses that I listed above in your legacy collection - I'll post some samples from those as well in a different threads for you.

Best to you!

- John

 

[John D.]

Hi Eric.!

Here are some VERY quick shots this AM (just a test) giving you an idea of the performance of the OM 50mm 1.4 on an A7R. Had I spent some more time with these tests - be assured that the lens certainly "delivers". I'm impressed primarily with the incredible bokeh @f/1.4 up to f/2.0 and the traditional Zuiko colors. I will tell you that to focus at f/1.4 is challenging given the minuscule DOF on a FF sensor, though!!?

Full Frame performance - f/1.4 - darn good center and corner performance and slight vignette:

   ---            

Center Crop f/1.4:

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Center crop - another frame - while I was taking it, a Bumblebee was stalking - f/4.0:

   ---            

Bokeh - f/1.4:

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My best to you!

- John

 

[SpaceManSpiff]

Thanks John!

Looks really good on the A7r too! (Amazing crop ability with those 36mp btw).
I bet it can be hard to get the focus nailed wide open, I sometimes struggle with my NEX.

 

[Eugg]

instead of broken OM 50mm f1.8 purchased a 50mm 1.4

I am not pixelpeeper, so don't see big difference in terms of IQ

NEX6

<a href="http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/rocky232/view/832437" target="_blank">

   ---            

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<a href="http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/rocky232/view/832436" target="_blank">

   ---            

"800" height="443" border="0" title="DSC02219-5.jpg[/img]"DSC02219-5.jpg"/></a>

 

[chrid]

looks great, I love my Om lens's, they are amazingly tiny yet offer such astounding performance. no wonder they called this the slr leica system

 

[SpaceManSpiff]

Been using the OM glass quite a bit lately. This is one contrasty lens, a later model one with improved coatings compared to earlier versions.

A couple of botanical portraits (both taken near MFD)

"NEX-6"    "----"       f/1.0    1/2500s    ISO 100

"NEX-6"    "----"       f/1.0    1/4000s    ISO 100

Some B&Ws
this fellow was nice enough to stand really still for me

"NEX-6"    "----"          1/1600s   

"NEX-6"    "----"          1/800s   

 

[argon]

SpaceManSpiff: very awesome shot on fist two!!! especially on the second image!!

 

[SpaceManSpiff]

SpaceManSpiff: very awesome shot on fist two!!! especially on the second image!!

Thanks Argon, that is my favorite as well. I was bored of landscape shots with everything in focus and wanted to try a different look.

 

[fractal]

NEX-7    ----          1/100s    ISO 100

NEX-7    ----          1/100s    ISO 100

NEX-7    ----          1/50s    ISO 100

 

[Nexnut]

The first two shots for me, Eric; pretty unique and lovely rendering there.
I'm a huge fan of these old beauties too, have about ten or so left in a box but haven't used them that much lately.
Anyway, looking forward to re-activating my old OM bodies and shooting some film with them once I'm through with moving all my stuff down south (zzz).

Been using the OM glass quite a bit lately. This is one contrasty lens, a later model one with improved coatings compared to earlier versions.

A couple of botanical portraits (both taken near MFD)

"NEX-6"    "----"       f/1.0    1/2500s    ISO 100

"NEX-6"    "----"       f/1.0    1/4000s    ISO 100

Some B&Ws
this fellow was nice enough to stand really still for me

"NEX-6"    "----"          1/1600s   

"NEX-6"    "----"          1/800s   

 

[Mus Aziz]

Nice images Chris. I like the last one.