Fun, fast manual portrait lens for OM-D?

ryanlogic · #1 July 2nd, 2012, 02:41 PM

At first I wasn't interested in adapted lenses.. But I've been doing lots of research and evaluating my shooting style, and I've decided that I would like to at least explore the world of adapted lenses.

I've been fascinated by the 50mm noktor, the 25mm Voigtlander and the upcoming 75mm Olympus portrait lens... But I cant afford any of them right now...

I want to get that crazy bokeh, and I'd like to be able to have more control over the DOF... Low light capabilities are a plus.

any tried and true adapted lenses that I should be looking at?

I don't want to spend a lot of money, because I am saving up for native lenses that I want for more versatile daily applications. But if I could come up with something fun to play around with while walking around parks and chilling that would be cool. It would be nice to develop some manual focus skills, And I really want to solidify my understanding of the relationship between ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.

I like things that are well built and solid.. I know that may seem strange to mention, but I can truly appreciate well built and mechanically sound things. I like the feel of smooth focusing all metal manual lenses. I remember playing with my dads old Minolta SLR, and I have a beloved Ricoh rangefinder that my great grandfather gave me that just feels solid, the focus is smooth, and aperture ring has a solid yet smooth clicking action.

I'm new to photography, but I'm already falling in love with lenses... It's rather nerdy. ::shoots self::

This GAS stuff you guys mention is no joke.

With_Eyes_Unclouded · #2 July 2nd, 2012, 02:49 PM

You can try a number of 45-55mm manual lenses via adaptor. If you do a search in the forum you can find a lot of photos taken with such lenses and a variety of

bodies.

Just to get you started (it's what I would look at first, so not an objective list):

OM Zuiko 50mm f/1.4
Contax G 45mm f/2.0
Minolta MD 50mm f/1.4
Helios 44 55mm f/2.0 (the cheapest but very capable)

ryanlogic · #3 July 2nd, 2012, 03:03 PM

This may be a dumb question, but is the focal length equivalent affected when using an adapted lens? I mean, the 25mm Panasonic is though of as a 50mm equivalent in terms of 4/3 lenses...

would an adapted 50mm lens effectively become a 100mm equivalent?

DeeJayK · #4 July 2nd, 2012, 03:09 PM

The adapted 50mm-ish f/1.4 lenses (your classic nifty fifty) make great portrait lenses on

. Which brand you choose (Canon, Nikon, Konica, Olympus, Pentax, etc.) is almost irrelevant, because they're all pretty good. The quality of the output is going to have more to do with the condition of the particular example than the brand.

I have a Konica 57mm that performs quite well. Others swear by the old Takumar 50mm (caution: radioactive), the Olympus 50mm or the Minolta MD 50mm. The Canon 50mm is a good performer as well and may be the easiest to find and among the least expensive.

In short, it's tough to go wrong with any of these f/1.4s, or even with the less expensive and lighter f/1.7s, f/1.8s or even f/2.0s. However, be warned that once you pick up your first adapted lens you may find yourself spending way too much time prowling thrift stores, pawn shops and eBay looking for your next one.

DeeJayK · #5 July 2nd, 2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanlogic

This may be a dumb question, but is the focal length equivalent affected when using an adapted lens? I mean, the 25mm Panasonic is though of as a 50mm equivalent in terms of 4/3 lenses...

would an adapted 50mm lens effectively become a 100mm equivalent?

Yes, that is correct.

ean10775 · #6 July 2nd, 2012, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanlogic

This may be a dumb question, but is the focal length equivalent affected when using an adapted lens? I mean, the 25mm Panasonic is though of as a 50mm equivalent in terms of 4/3 lenses...

would an adapted 50mm lens effectively become a 100mm equivalent?

Yes the FOV equivalent of a 50mm lens will be 100mm. If you appreciate build quality and aren't troubled too much by weight, I would recommend an Asahi Pentax Super-Multicoated-Takumar 50mm f1.4 in M42 mount. They are extremely well built, have a buttery smooth focus ring, and are quite sharp. You should be able to get one for less than $100. Of all my lenses (Canon, OM Zuiko, etc.), the Tak is head and shoulders above the rest in terms of tactile feel and build quality. It has been reported that Pentax was actually selling them at a loss when they made them back in the 70s

Here is a photo of mine mounted to my E-PL1:

spatulaboy · #7 July 2nd, 2012, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanlogic

This may be a dumb question, but is the focal length equivalent affected when using an adapted lens? I mean, the 25mm Panasonic is though of as a 50mm equivalent in terms of 4/3 lenses...

would an adapted 50mm lens effectively become a 100mm equivalent?

Yes.

I really enjoy using my Minoltas for portraits, but I have a feeling I would get similar results with any other brand. Just pick one and go have fun. Fair Warning: once you get one you will be scouring ebay everyday for the next!

Minolta MD 50mm f1.4

Minolta MD Rokkor 45mm f2

Minolta MC Rokkor 58mm f1.4

Iconindustries · #8 July 2nd, 2012, 03:20 PM

Personally my favourite lens would be the 45mm Rokkor because it's just that little bit shorter (90mm instead of 100mm) And another plus it that it snaps to focus easily compared to some others which take some turning to get it right.

ryanlogic · #9 July 2nd, 2012, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeeJayK

Others swear by the old Takumar 50mm (caution: radioactive)

radioactive?????

0.o

DeeJayK · #10 July 2nd, 2012, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iconindustries

Is she trying to take a closeup of her fingertips.