OM-2: What's the perfect lens for this nifty camera

lxdude · Aug 29, 2010

Matt, I disagree.
They read off the first curtain and the film. It does no good to read off the second curtain because its traverse speed cannot be regulated. Once the second curtain is released the exposure will end when it completes its traverse. So exposure timing ends with release of the second curtain (its traverse time is of course figured in to the total timing).

Other designs decide on the exposure at the moment the mirror swings up, freezing the exposure at that point. The OTF timing continues until the moment the second curtain is released. It never stores an exposure time, but relies only on total accumulated light. If an intense light source hit the subject at the instant the second curtain was released, there would be no way to correct for it.

OTF shutter timing is still more effective at higher speeds because the metering system remains active until release of the second curtain, instead of release of the mirror.

mr rusty · Aug 29, 2010

IMO these threads about lenses can end up with people reporting what they may have read, rather than having used lenses themselves, so many myths and legends can get repeated.

Re my comment earlier that the 35-70 f4 is the lens I most often take out with my OM, yet many will tell you its just a "cheap consumer lens", so I thought posting this little example might help. This is unaltered straight from the neg scan. The signpost is pretty readable considering its small size in the original n'est pas?

You can get the 35-70 f4 for around $40. Its a steal.

lilserenity · Aug 29, 2010

I don't think there is anything like the perfect lens but for my OM2n I have a 50mm MIJ which it came with, but mostly I shoot the Zuiko 28mm f/3.5 which is a real stunner of a lens, slow maximum aperture but sharp wide open (if it can be called wide open!) and very small. Worth getting the hood mind, but one of the best wide angles I have ever used.

I also use the 100mm f/2.8 a lot, a heck of a lot, it's a great lens, handles brilliantly and is not all that much bigger than a 50mm, and certainly doesn't have the presence that many a short telephoto lens usually has which is great for discrete street shooting.

So for me, the 28mm, 50mm and 100mm package is a real winner, even more criminal is the whole lot probably cost me about £140 all in.

Vicky

eggen · Aug 29, 2010

Usually I use 3.5/21, 2/40, 8/500 mirror and 6.5/600. 2/40 and OM-1n is the first combination and 6.5/600 with OM-4Ti is the second one.

Zuiko 2/40 is a superb lens.

Check this link http://olympus.dementia.org/

Les Sarile · Aug 29, 2010

Mopar_guy - Of course you're right about the OM-3 not having aperture priority AE mode as I don't even have one to test! It must have slipped out as I have been trying to acquire one to complete my OM single digit series!

whlogan · Aug 29, 2010

For me, the 100mm f 2.8 is the world's forgotten lenses. It is smaller & lighter than most 50's and sharp as a tack. For street work it simply cannot be beat. And they are cheap into the bargain. I think the OM line is vastly under rated, by a long shot. I know you will really enjoy your work with this fine camera & so will your viewers!
Logan

mopar_guy · Aug 29, 2010

I don't know if the "perfect" lens exists. I own 20 OM Zuiko primes. When I die, I would like to take the following lenses with me: 21mm f2, 24mm f2, 35mm f2, 55mm f1.2 and 100mm f2.

Regards,
Dave

MattKing · Aug 29, 2010

mopar_guy said:
I don't know if the "perfect" lens exists. I own 20 OM Zuiko primes. When I die, I would like to take the following lenses with me: 21mm f2, 24mm f2, 35mm f2, 55mm f1.2 and 100mm f2.

Regards,
Dave

Dave:

Best not to reveal here where you intend to be buried.

Hope it remains just a potential problem for a very long time.

lxdude · Aug 29, 2010

mopar_guy said:
I don't know if the "perfect" lens exists. I own 20 OM Zuiko primes. When I die, I would like to take the following lenses with me: 21mm f2, 24mm f2, 35mm f2, 55mm f1.2 and 100mm f2.

Regards,
Dave

I can dig it. And if I find out where they plant ya, I will.

mopar_guy · Aug 30, 2010

I will also have the OM-3Ti placed in the coffin with me.

Dave

Les Sarile · Aug 30, 2010

I will also have the OM-3Ti placed in the coffin with me.

Must be the reason these are so hard to find and expensive when you do . . . ;-)

Bateleur · Aug 31, 2010

Here's another vote for the 40mm f2. It's compact and optically excellent. However it's rarity equals its price. For the brave there is one at http://www.mkoptics.net/lists.htm

(AL) · Sep 1, 2010

mopar_guy said:
I will also have the OM-3Ti placed in the coffin with me.

Dave

I guess that giving us the GPS co-ordinates is out of the question then?

mopar_guy · Sep 1, 2010

(AL) said:
I guess that giving us the GPS co-ordinates is out of the question then?

What makes you think that you will outlive me? You might run into some other APUG members.

dynachrome · Sep 1, 2010

I originally bought an OM camera because many nice third party lenses sold for so little in that mount. If I carry a three lens kit I like the 35/2.8, 50/3.5 and 100/2.8 Zuikos. Of my non-Zuikos in OM mount I like the 90/2.8 Vivitar macro, 28/2 Soligor C/D, 55/2.8 Vivitar macro, 135/2.8 Vivitar Close Focusing, 28-85/2.8-3.8 Vivitar Auto Variable Focusing and 90/2.5 Tamron SP (2nd version).

wblynch · Sep 1, 2010

I have a Cosina 24/2.5 and a Vivitar 24/2.8 for my OM's. Both are pretty good but they aren't near as nice as the Zuiko 24/2.8

I think it's well past time for me to explore Zuiko teles. I think I'll start looking for a 100mm or 85mm.

Damn you Maitani-san !

nsurit · Sep 1, 2010

The 85mm f2 is my favorite, however with the longer telephotos (180mm, 300mm and 400mm) I've sold my Zuikos and gone to the Tamron SP versions which are faster. I've not been disappointed with the switch. Bill Barber

darinwc · Sep 2, 2010

I think the 21mm f2 and 250mm f2 would really be the pinnacle of Olympus lenses. I havent had the opportunity to shoot with them though.

C A Sugg · Sep 2, 2010

lilserenity said:
I don't think there is anything like the perfect lens but for my OM2n I have a 50mm MIJ which it came with, but mostly I shoot the Zuiko 28mm f/3.5 which is a real stunner of a lens, slow maximum aperture but sharp wide open (if it can be called wide open!) and very small. Worth getting the hood mind, but one of the best wide angles I have ever used.

Ditto, ditto, ditto on the 28mm 3.5. One that I haven't seen mentioned is the 200mm 5.0, one of the original small line-up. I think it was discontinued a couple of decades ago, if not longer. I've found mine to be quite nice and it's not much longer than a lot of 135mm lenses. Plus it takes 49mm filters.

lacavol · Sep 5, 2010

I've always liked the Zuiko lenses and most below 135mm have a E49 filter which makes it convenient to own one set of specialized filters. My favorite for landscapes is the 24/2.8 which I can handhold down to 1/60sec. The 50 1.4 and 1.8 are also good and light even the 135 isn't bad though sort of a maligned focal length. Even the 35-70 zoom is of good quality but E55 filters same as the 65-200. I mainly stick to fixed lens. The Tamrons also work well with an Adaptall 2 mount.

Nedfeister · Sep 8, 2010

Your perfect Zuiko may be very different from others, but the more desirable ones are:

Anything below 28mm, the 24mm f2.8 gets particulary good reviews.

Most of the fast primes 21f2 24f2 28f2 35F2 85f2 100f2

The real legends are the 28mm f2, 100mm f2, and 180mmf2, all are expensive but for good reason.

The 35-80 f2.8 is the latest lens designed for the Om3ti +Om4ti in the late 90's, very expensive and rare, but reputebly one of the best zooms every made.

Bang for buck, the 35-70mm f3.6 was an expensive lens new ($350+) but goes for much less nowadays, also very sharp.

judah · Sep 16, 2010

MattKing said:
One lens alone - 85 mm f/2.0.

Or, my favourite 3 lens kit - 24mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2.0 and 85mm f/2.0

First post for me on APUG. Hello to all.

That is exactly my kit. I have OM2n and OM4, 24/2.8, 28/2.8, 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/2 and 135/2.8. After many many rolls I put the 24/35/85 in my bag and go out. The 24 I use it not that often, 90% of my shots are with the 35. I always wanted a 40mm but it's super rare and very expensive hence...

In my opinion you can't really go wrong with any Zuiko lenses. They're all very sharp and compact compared to many others. Plenty of deals to be have on eBay and similar. Good luck.

MattKing · Sep 16, 2010

Welcome to APUG, from an OM kindred soul

Zuikopath · Sep 16, 2010

Here's my favourite Zuikos from a confirmed fanatic:

24/2.8
28/3.5
35/2.8
50/1.8 MIJ
50/1.4
100/2.8

All of these are available for little money - only if you want the faster versions does the price jump.

IMO all Zuikos are good, many are great and some are legendary.

Good luck

ulysses · Sep 16, 2010

Since I started this thread, I've been shopping. My Olympus kit now consists of:

3 OM-2s (1 black)
1 OM-2n
1 OM-10
28/2.8 Tokina
50/1.8
50/1.4
50/3.5
35-105/4
35-135/3.5-4.5 Tamron
75-150/4
80-200/4 Tokina
500/8 Tokina Mirror
T32 flash
Winder 2

I really appreciate everyone's input. Some of these lenses came with the cameras I wanted, some of the cameras came with the lenses I wanted, some were just random bids I didn't really expect to win.

I'm still looking for a 21mm in good shape that's reasonably priced, and I may sell off a couple of items that are redundant, but otherwise I think I have what I want. I didn't need any of it, having full kits in Nikon, MInolta and Bronica, but film gear is so cheap now it's hard to resist. It was this or another F4 (or F3 or F5) so I think this was the right choice. Now I'll just need to stay away from auctions (and KEH).

It's a testament to the quality of Olympus gear that pretty much all of this is completely functional. I can't think of another brand I've purchased that has had fewer problems. Even the stuff I got from Goodwill for next to nothing (the OM-2n, for example) worked perfectly once I put in fresh batteries. Great stuff.

Thanks again for all the pointers!

Ulysses

OM-2: What's the perfect lens for this nifty camera

lxdude

mr rusty

lilserenity

eggen

Les Sarile

whlogan

mopar_guy

MattKing

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lxdude

mopar_guy

Les Sarile

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(AL)

mopar_guy

dynachrome

wblynch

nsurit

darinwc

C A Sugg

lacavol

Nedfeister

judah

MattKing

Moderator

Zuikopath

ulysses

OM-2: What's the perfect lens for this nifty camera

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