4/3 lenses on m4/3 body

Rich L · #1 August 26th, 2011, 08:52 AM

Seriously considering getting a gh2 and a couple of pancake lenses, and as a bonus it would be great to think that the only olympus lenses I have - 7-14, 14-54mk2, and 50 macro would work on that body.

I know I need the adapter, but how will these lenses shape up? I've heard one or two alarming things about the camera refusing to focus with some lenses, especially the older designs like the 7-14 and 50.

I'll bet this question has been asked loads!

Thanks all
Richard

~tc~ · #2 August 26th, 2011, 08:59 AM

There is a compatibility chart on both the Panasonic and Olympus websites showing what will work and not work with the various lens/body combinations.

I THINK AF will work, but slowly, with all 43 lenses on a GH2 (they would not with any of the -1 series cameras)

Aperture, EXIF, all that will work with all Oly/Panny 43 lenses on m43 bodies.

jim_khoo · #3 August 26th, 2011, 09:03 AM

not sure how they (4/3rd olys) will work with gh2,
but the AF is slower for the older (yellow) ones.

chart below tells the darker blue ones are compatible
but the AF is still a tad slow.

joele · #4 August 26th, 2011, 09:29 AM

My Olympus 50mm f2 macro is not super fast to AF on the Ep-3 but for stationary subjects the AF is OK and certainly works...

Though it is more of a special purpose lens and macro I often use manual anyway... My Olympus 150/2 also works but again moving subjects are a waste of time, unless you use manual and catch them so to speak.. I shoot mainly land/street-scapes and still life so not a huge issue for me YMMV...

Rich L · #5 August 26th, 2011, 10:14 AM

Thanks all. There seems to be very little info out there on which lenses work best. Am I right in thinking it's the contrast detect AF of Panasonic that may be an issue with some of the older Oly lenses, and the Pens use phase detect AF.

Talk about confusing!

TC. I cant locate that panasonic chart you mention - any chance of a link?

Richard

Luckypenguin · #6 August 26th, 2011, 10:20 AM

All m4/3 cameras use contrast-detect AF. For whatever reason the first generation Panasonic cameras are incapable of focusing 4/3 lenses that were not specifically designed to operate to operate with CDAF, whereas the Olys and the later Pannys can.

Rich L · #7 August 26th, 2011, 10:44 AM

Just looked at the instruction book for my e30, and focus is done by phase-contrast detect. So I'm assuming a GH2 with adapter should in theory perform AF and all other functions OK although a bit slow with older design 4/3 lenses - and they can be slow anyway on 4/3 bodies.
Failing that, I'll probably flog the 4/3 gear and use m4/3 100%.

Cheers
Richard

Ned · #8 August 26th, 2011, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich L

I've heard one or two alarming things about the camera refusing to focus with some lenses, especially the older designs like the 7-14 and 50.

This is a characteristic of Panasonic bodies, and is only just another part of Panasonic's Nazi hold against compatibility. All Four-Thirds lenses will AF on all Olympus Micro Four-Thirds bodies. They are the same system, after all. Panasonic bodies however, will refuse to AF certain Four-Thirds lenses, and will even refuse to C-AF on certain native Micro Four-Thirds lenses (including their most popular native m43 lens - the Lumix 20mm). This is because Panasonic doesn't feel the performance of AF on these lenses is "good enough" to allow the consumer to even try. Just like the lock on 3rd party batteries...

That said, the GH2 is new enough that the compatibility for most Four-Thirds lenses is there now. At least Panasonic has been adding to the list on a regular basis.

I don't know which lenses exactly will focus on your GH2, but the Zuiko 14-54mm Mark II is actually optimized for CDAF focus, and will definitely work well. The 50mm Macro is the one I'd be most concerned about, as it's a slow focusing lens in the first place (as should be expected of a macro!).

Don't sell your Four-Thirds lenses... you won't get anything equivalent to Four-Thirds fast zooms in Micro Four-Thirds, and Four-Thirds lenses work very well on Micro Four-Thirds bodies. I've used them exclusively on the PEN since the PENs first came out, as my only AF lenses. I don't even own a single Micro Four-Thirds lens anymore... one of the forum members here got my last one.

kiynook · #9 August 26th, 2011, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich L

Seriously considering getting a gh2 and a couple of pancake lenses, and as a bonus it would be great to think that the only olympus lenses I have - 7-14, 14-54mk2, and 50 macro would work on that body.

I know I need the adapter, but how will these lenses shape up? I've heard one or two alarming things about the camera refusing to focus with some lenses, especially the older designs like the 7-14 and 50.

I'll bet this question has been asked loads!

Thanks all
Richard

Richard, this may be irrelevant but I am using a brand new Mk II on both my E-P2 and E-P3 with no problem. My friends also shoot 50mm on their PENs with no issue. Your 7-14mm is a sweet lens man. Lucky you.

Howi · #10 August 26th, 2011, 11:28 AM

All 4/3 bodies use phase detect AF, when in live view mode they use contrast detect AF.
M43 bodies, because they are in live view mode, use ontrast detection by default.
The more modern lenses (the 12-60 being an exception) can work with both AF systems.
Ply m43 bodies seem to work with more 4/3 lenses than Pany bodies, but the range of great 4/3 glass means they are still worth keeping and using.
This is where you have to use MF mode, it's not that difficult.