Long Glass for OM?

Albino_BlacMan · Apr 17, 2011

I'm looking for something long in OM mount. At least 200mm longer is probably better but I can make due with 200 is need be I think (I'm gonna try and shoot some of my sister's swimming on film). Its indoors so faster is better but there's always delta 3200. (and at least swimming isn't a really fast sport, I can probably get away with somehwere around 1/100 if I can keep shake down)

Looking to spend under $250, what are my options? and what is reccomended for best quality?

Thanks,
Chris

Rol_Lei Nut · Apr 17, 2011

You could look into a classic Novoflex system (280, 400, or 600mm).

They have interchangeable mounts for almost all cameras, quality is very good, within the system's limits (doublet or triplet lenses often mean very sharp centres and softer edges due to field curvature).
Their focusing system is also unique and can be very fast given some practice.

Rick A · Apr 17, 2011

Vivitar makes a 500mm T mount lens, retails around $110. I think Freestyle sells them.

vpwphoto · Apr 17, 2011

Rick A said:
Vivitar makes a 500mm T mount lens, retails around $110. I think Freestyle sells them.

You get that you pay for... look for non reflex OM glass on e-bay or KEH.

vpwphoto · Apr 17, 2011

Albino_BlacMan said:
(I'm gonna try and shoot some of my sister's swimming on film). Its indoors s

Chris

That Vivitar for $110 is f8... not going to cut it.
Get a 135 f2.8 f 2.8 or brighter will be needed!

Albino_BlacMan · Apr 17, 2011

I'm thinking f4...

Rough calculation of my f4 indoor rule (which says that with some decent light inside I can usually use f4 at 1/60 when pushing to 1600), says that f4 should do it to get my shutter speed.

So I'm thinking that As long as I have f4 I should be able to used delta 3200, push a little past that if I have to. So a decent f4 prime should cut it! Does Vivitar or Tokina or any third party make any decent f4 primes, OM mount?

Whats the longest I can get for my price? Any ideas?

mopar_guy · Apr 17, 2011

For moderately slow action, anything above 200mm is going to be difficult to use hand held and anything with a maximum aperture larger than f4 will be expensive. For Olympus made lenses in the focal lengths you are interested in there is the 200mm f4 Zuiko ($100-150), 180mm f2.8 Zuiko ($400), and 135mm f2.8 Zuiko ($100-150). The other two Zuiko lenses that would be useful (250mm f2.0 and 180mm f2.0) are way beyond your price range.

A lot of third party lens makers made 135mm telephoto lenses in OM mount. I have a 135mm f2.8 made by Toyo that is not too bad. I believe the there was a 180mm f2.3 Angenieu available in OM mount but I have no idea what it would be worth.

vpwphoto · Apr 17, 2011

Also... use a light meter.. don't guess. Swimming is the hardest sport to photograph from a technical standpoint. The water sucks up the light. I have shot swimming numerous times... f4 even with P3200 won't cut it unless the natatorium has some windows or skylights. You will need a shutter speed of at least 1 /250th .

Don't ask us what the lenses are worth... use you Google browser and start shopping. Your budget isn't going to get you much more that a BGN 180 f2.8.

vpwphoto · Apr 17, 2011

Albino_BlacMan said:
OM mount. At least 200mm longer is probably better
Thanks,
Chris

1 /500th of a second will be needed. With a telephoto.

mopar_guy · Apr 17, 2011

I've tried to do this sort of thing with a f4 lens a long time ago and I was not at all pleased with the results.

Ken N · Apr 17, 2011

Within your price range, I'd look at getting the 200/4. That is one really fine lens and about as long as you can handhold. The 300/4.5 is a beautiful lens, but you'll want either a monopod or some form of shoulder stock to stabilize it.

A lens I find invaluable is the Tokina AT-X 100-300 f4. Again, same rules as the 300/4.5, but in zoom formfactor.

vpwphoto · Apr 19, 2011

A monopod is great for subjects that are not moving fast... problem is the apparent movement of the subject across the field of view of a telephoto demands the higher shutter speed... unless you are looking for blurred arms and such. I know we can get into a physics argument about this now... it's just what I have observed from some 20 years of work photographing all manner of sport and subjects.

Long Glass for OM?

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