Fun, fast manual portrait lens for OM-D? - Page 7

eno789 · #61 July 4th, 2012, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D@ne

I just received a Konika Hexanon 50mm 1.7 in the mail. It's a very sharp lens, but I can't say I love the weight of it on the e-m5. I don't even think it's the weight as much as the balance, having a heavier front end(?)

Even the older version of Hexanon 50mm f1.7 is only 240g. I don't have e-m5, but I think it should balance just fine with an adapter. I even occasionally use 50mm f1.8 on GF3. Of course different people have different idea about good balance.

D@ne · #62 July 4th, 2012, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eno789

Even the older version of Hexanon 50mm f1.7 is only 240g. I don't have e-m5, but I think it should balance just fine with an adapter. I even occasionally use 50mm f1.8 on GF3. Of course different people have different idea about good balance.

This is my first legacy lens, or any lens with an adapter...so it may just be me. With the adapter it weigh about 290g.

ean10775 · #63 July 4th, 2012, 05:33 PM

The Super Tak is definitely one heavy lens compared to other 50mm 1.4s I have. Also, not sure if it has been mentioned but with most of these 50s there is no partial stop between f1.4 and f2 and I find the sharpness unacceptable at 1.4, so it essentially becomes a 50mm f2. At f2 it's quite sharp though

RDM · #64 July 4th, 2012, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by With_Eyes_Unclouded

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)

You forgot to mention the Minolta 45mm 2.0 probably a better choice for portraits than the Helios and usually costs just as much if not cheaper; also its smaller and lighter.
I know I love using mine

DHart · #65 July 4th, 2012, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ean10775

The Super Tak is definitely one heavy lens compared to other 50mm 1.4s I have. Also, not sure if it has been mentioned but with most of these 50s there is no partial stop between f1.4 and f2 and I find the sharpness unacceptable at 1.4, so it essentially becomes a 50mm f2. At f2 it's quite sharp though

I have the Zeiss Planar 50/1.4 and Canon FD 50/1.4. The Zeiss is acceptably sharp at f/1.4, sharper at f/1.4 than the Canon, but by f/2.8 or so, they are similarly sharp. Color wise, the Canon is a bit cold and the Zeiss colors are warmer. This, of course, is nothing that can't be changed in LR.

Gyles · #66 July 4th, 2012, 08:51 PM

Hexanon 40-50's are cheap, plentiful and render sharp images. f1.8 or lower. The 40mm f1.8 is compact, light and well suited to m43 bodies, 27mm and 140gms. Review and this great pancake here http://www.buhla.de/Foto/Konica/Objektive/e40_18.html

ryansinibaldi · #67 July 4th, 2012, 11:04 PM

I'm finding my Yashica ML 50 to be very good. I had a CY Planar 1.4 and I find it comparable (just a bit colder) to the ML. I got mine for a good deal so if you can find one for under $100 it's a fantastic legacy lens.

Jonathan F/2 · #68 July 4th, 2012, 11:33 PM

If you're interested, Nikon has a huge selection of MF glass for good prices, plus many of them are still usable on modern Nikon bodies. The two I'm currently using and 100% compatible with my Nikon DSLRs:

Nikon 100mm 2.8 Series E & Nikon 50mm 1.8 AIS mark 3:

The 100mm 2.8 can be had from $50-100 and the 50mm 1.8 can be bought from $40-80. Both are very sharp and excellent on M43. I got pretty lucky, both my adapters are spot on and properly match the distance scale on the lens.

RDM · #69 July 5th, 2012, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan F/2

....Nikon has a huge selection of MF glass for good prices, plus many of them are still usable on modern Nikon bodies......

He means Some of the more expensive Nikon bodies only. These old lenses will not meter on most Nikon DSLR cameras.

Also not knocking Nikon but they may not be very expensive and considered by most reasonably priced, but because they can be used on pro Nikon DSLR cameras usually you will pay more for them than most other Major Branded legacy Lenses in Defunct mounts. Such as the ones mentioned like Minolta Rokkor lenses, Konica Hexanon and Canon FD lenses, which are all good quality lenses.
Just something to consider if your on a budget

Jonathan F/2 · #70 July 5th, 2012, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDM

He means Some of the more expensive Nikon bodies only. These old lenses will not meter on most Nikon DSLR cameras.

Also not knocking Nikon but they may not be very expensive and considered by most reasonably priced, but because they can be used on pro Nikon DSLR cameras usually you will pay more for them than most other Major Branded legacy Lenses in Defunct mounts. Such as the ones mentioned like Minolta Rokkor lenses, Konica Hexanon and Canon FD lenses, which are all good quality lenses.
Just something to consider if your on a budget

You can still mount MF lenses on entry level Nikon bodies and get focus confirmation, but you do lose the ability to meter. It's not a big deal, if you can meter in your head.

I think if you can find older Nikon glass at a reasonable price, you can usually sell it for the same price if not for more down the road. Plus there is a bigger inventory of Nikon MF glass around. Just a quick check on Ebay prices and the Canon FD 100mm 2.8 is about the same price as the Nikon 100mm 2.8 E and the Nikon 50mm 1.8 E sells at comparable prices as other legacy 50mm lenses. Regular Nikon 50mm 1.8 AIS lenses start selling around $40. Not so bad price wise.