Olympus OM Zuiko 50mm f/1.4 : Specifications and Opinions

Reviews

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The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.

Ilcentaurorosso

sent on 13 Maggio 2022

Pros: Compactness, lightness, construction and sharpness(*)

Cons: None ( Sharpness(*) )

Opinion: Opinion: I was lucky enough to find it NEW from a junk shop (for just over a hundred euros!) a couple of years ago, complete with a Polyphoto warranty card (yes, it distributed the Olympus brand already in 1973!) to be sent for warranty. Used in conjunction with the native OM system, it is something unique for its compactness, lightness, construction and sharpness. But my purpose was to use it on modern digital systems from the M43 system to the FF system. Obviously the sharpness does not reach that of modern optics (cons(*)), it is necessary to close at least one stop (it is not optics optimized for modern FF digital systems nor for the M43 system that comes from scratch without links with the past), but this is not at all a problem since it is expected. Among other things, with full frame cameras the rendering is wonderful already at full aperture and leaves the extreme sharpness in the background especially with portraits set (pro(*)). Also good for video shooting.

AlfioLadisa

sent on 13 Maggio 2022

Pros: Compactness, lightness, construction and sharpness

Cons: Nobody

Opinion: Combined with the OM-1 it is something simply wonderful, lightweight, compact and engraved like a Summicron on a Leica M2 but definitely more affordable. The build quality is at the top, just turn the focus ring to realize it: it is smooth and braked at the right point. Even the use of closed diaphragms for landscaping does not disappoint at all. I consider it my best purchase in the photographic field

Stefluni56

sent on 17 Ottobre 2021

Pros: Compactness, weight, aperture, sharpness, minimum focusing distance...

Cons: For now not detected

Opinion: My dream when I owned the OM2, never been able to buy given the price (and the money available, above all! ;-) ) Purchased now, used on OM-d 5 II, nothing to complain! Beautiful photos, great sharpness, Olympus colors. It made me feel the pleasure of shooting in manual again. Great for macro, practically a 100 mm that focuses at less than 40 cm! I'm really glad I bought it!

Il Santo

sent on 28 Aprile 2021

Pros: Optical/mechanical quality - Price of used car

Cons: Don't have it

Opinion: The 50mm was once the standard lens with which to start. The 50mm1.4 few could afford them: cost almost as much as the machine body and therefore reserved only for professionals. There were no 50mm that didn't go well: all the manufacturers churned out very good optics in this focal point. Help, however, from the "simplicity" of the optical scheme. Then came the zooms, which in their excursion, covered this focal (with very questionable quality) and slowly entered into quiescence (undeservedly). In my opinion, they are still the best lens to keep on the stock exchange and to use. Compact to the point of keeping them even in a jacket and performing like few other optics. Olympus has always distinguished itself in optical production and this 50mm1.4 is no exception. Crisp and with a pleasant blurry to all openings, it always returns photos that live up to expectations. A little soft and "dreamy" at full opening becomes a war machine with more closed diaphragms. Second-hand prices invite you to buy: prices start at 80 - 100.00 euros for specimens of the first series (serial with 6 digits and yellow front lens) to reach about 200.00 euros for the specimens of the last series (7-digit serial and blue front lens) obviously in excellent condition. Is these figures worth spending? In my opinion, yes, with conviction. It is an amazing optics to possess absolutely. Then you do it.

Gsabbio

sent on 08 Febbraio 2018

Pros: contrast, sharpness and size

Cons: nothing

Opinion: The first images that I took with this lens were black and white proofs, after the development, I looked at the negative (Ilford FP4) and exclaimed in amazement; my 'black and white' had never been so rich in tonal range, stuff by Hansel Adams (with all due respect ...). It is an optic for which you do not care about its sharpness (which is however more than abundant) but always marvels you for its color rendering. A friend told me that in some photographic circles they had nicknamed him 'the summicron of the poor'. Here ... if the summicron makes images like that, then it's really a great optic. VOTE 10

Asala

sent on 01 Ottobre 2017

Pros: Manually.rnProbably indestructible.rn Solid construction

Cons: Inevitably soft af / 1.4. But already af / 2 changes a lot

Opinion: The pleasure of a manual "manual" lens, where you control (both pleasant) mechanical both the focus and the diaphragm. Used on an Oly EM1, where it becomes a 100 mm canvas for portraits, even at full aperture. There are few focusing issues, very simple. Extremely clear from f / 2.8 included.rn Compared to a standard lens with auto focus it is another experience, mechanics have a more human being. I'm enjoying it, a classic case where the bounds of the object become a plus compared to an "all-automatic" .nnBagged on Ebay, in good condition, coupled to the EM1 with a K & F Concept Adapter (which unfortunately makes the button unusable close the diaphragm, defect is manageable.) i would like to try it on an analog body (like 50 mm true).

Matt46

sent on 28 Agosto 2016

Pros: Crisp as f2, Very little flare, solid, bokeh

Cons: Anything

Opinion: Just fantastic, in the past I have tried so many 50 1.4 but found them worse than their 1.7-1.8-2 by excessive flare and other optical defects. This Olympus I in "Auto-s" is really stunning from every point of view. Flare minimized, excellent sharpness from f2, just enough to 1.4, built so well that in 100 years we will see more in giro.rnLo blurry to me like it is soggettivo.rnIl price is about 100 € for a well maintained exemplary and with caps, unless you are not perfect specimens with perhaps the toughest nuts or mold / fungus also best left stare.rnCostasse € 150 I wouldnt!

Roberto Kravos

sent on 17 Maggio 2013

Pros: Size, excellent mechanics, ring soft focus and fluid, filters 49, optical yield very uniform

Cons: Soft to f1, 4, (but acceptable given the brightness)

Opinion: I found a review in March 1993 with pictures attached diagram risolvenza that says ".. a normal race, very bright, that certainly did not fit between the cost optical. A confirmation of the excellent results that can be expected from standard optics, and if the weak point are internal reflections they are justified by the large maximum aperture. " The behavior is classic, or the yield is very uniform across the central, middle and peripheral growing risolvenza with the closure of the diaphragm. RnPersonalmente, I appreciated the ability to reproduce even the most subtle tonal passages, and, using it wide open, to maintain a good contrast. rnL'esemplare in my possession has a nice amber color of the outer covering of the front lens, which I have not found on other objectives of serie.rnDa carefully reconsider its use in digital, especially with the APS-C format, to get a tele with brightness f1, 4! rnrn