Olympus Zuiko 50mm or 55mm f1.2 again

BBonte · Jan 17, 2009

Still thinking of purchasing a bright lens as the ZUIKO 50mm f1.2 to complement my zuiko 50mm f1.8. But how much will I win in shutter speed with the f1.2 compared to the f1.8 ? How much brighter is it ?

archphoto · Jan 17, 2009

You would "gain" 1 stop.

See the scale below at 1 stop intervalls:

f: 2 >>>>>>>>> 1.4 >>>>>>>>>1

>>>>>> 1.8 >>>>>>>>> 1.2

Greetings,
Peter

nsurit · Jan 17, 2009

These are a bit pricey. You might look at a high numbered (1,100,000+) f1.4 or maybe just push your film one stop. Bill Barber

chriscrawfordphoto · Jan 17, 2009

I second Bill's recommendation. a high numbered 50/1.4 costs about $70 on ebay and is the best of the Zuiko 50's that i've tried. It is only a half-stop slower than the 1.2.

Ken N · Jan 17, 2009

The 50/1.4 also uses the 49mm filter size.

nsurit · Jan 17, 2009

If brightness is really what you are after, rather than speed, you might look at one of the 2 series focusing screens or bright screens. Bill Barber

Prest_400 · Jan 17, 2009

Heard rumours that the 55 f1.2 seems to be using some rare earth elements (maybe radioactive); so yellowing may happen on the glass?. And also it uses the bigger 55mm filters.
The 50mm f1.2 is an improved version, and uses 49mm filters; If I'm right. I've never seen one around the "evil" bay. This one has to be interesting.
Do have a look at the 1.4, it seems interesting.

BBonte · Jan 17, 2009

Thanks to every body for the advice. Is the 55m lens multicoated ?

Prest_400 · Jan 17, 2009

As far I know, It isn't Multicoated.
About the rare earth elements on glass, seems that there are two versions of the 55mm, one has these radioactive materials, the other doesn't. Early versions of the 1.4 did too. These materials just can lead to get yellowing with the age. (Hmm, no need for yellow filters in B&W, then :rolleyes

jsouther · Jan 18, 2009

I have the early 55mm f1.2 and love it. Sharpens up nicely around f2. Glass is yellow from the radioactivity, which adds a warmth to color images. I have the 50mm f1.4 too (multicoated, but not late manufacture) and noticed it seems to have a little more contrast between the two.

I have to say though that I'd never part with the 1.2 and recommend it highly. Bokeh is fantastic.

Olympus Zuiko 50mm or 55mm f1.2 again

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