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Zuiko 50mm f/1.4 Probably one of the most popular Zuiko lens along with the Zuiko 50mm f/1.8. Both lenses have excellent reputations for high performances and stable image reproduction. In most cases, 50mm f/1.4 lens is used for optical measurements and also the standard which determines color balance for the rest of other lenses in Zuiko family. |
As with most standard lenses of all makes, it uses a front and rear lens groups with a symmetrical optical design which has a distinctive advantage of permitting a large maximum aperture while still maintain excellent color reproduction.
The large aperture which
usually strongly associated with standard lenses is suitable for low available
light shooting, where it offers greater flexibility to have a more variable
shutter speeds range to choose from. Another advantage is, the bright
viewfinder benefits from the large maximum aperture also enables easier
picture focusing and composing, especially in low light situation. Other than
stopped down the lens to smaller apertures, darkening of the split image
rangefinder which may caused precise focusing difficult is almost
non-existence.
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I didn't claimed I am a good father as I have little time spare for my kids at home. There were little times for shooting as well, if I ever had, I would rather spare for them. |
The Zuiko 50mm f/1.4 combines good values of great portability, high performance and reasonably price in one package. But other than to serve those who knows how to put it into good use, even with its various good features, this lens has little appeal to new comers into photography. And since most people would not appreciate the broad scope of potentials this lens possess, they are usually very cheap in the used market, you can carefully take your time to go through the many used retail outlets to shop around for one. As shown by the picture I took above, the lens coating of the newer version somehow exhibits a different reflectance with older Zuiko 50mm f/1.4 which also carries a different designation as G-Zuiko AUTO-S 50mm f/1.4. They shared most of the specifications (Both weighs 230g (8.1oz), close focuses down at 0.45m, aperture scales from f/1.4-f/16 and even has a similar optical construction of 7 elements in 6 groups. Except the older lens is shorter, where it measures at 36mm as compared with a length of 40mm of the revised lens.
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Zuiko 50mm F1.4 |
Perhaps one of the the most popular OM System lens of them among all. Prices in new or used varies greatly and I would strongly suggest you to be a little more patience while shop around and look for more comparisons before committing any purchases.
Despite of additional improvements over its predecessor, the lens has remained equally compact and lightweight (But slightly longer in length). Both weighs the same at 230 grams. The lens' renowned color balance is used as a standard for all other Zuiko interchangeable lenses.
Specification:
Older Version: G-Zuiko AUTO-S 50mm f/1.4 ; Current Version: Zuiko
50mm f/1.4
| Focal length:
50mm Current Version: Zuiko 50mm f/1.4 Aperture ratio: 1:1.4 Lens construction: 6 groups, 7 elements Angle of view: Diagonal: 46¡Æ Distance Scale: (m) 0.45 to infinity (oo) |
Focusing: Helicoid |
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Zuiko 50mm
F1.8
Despite its moderately fast lens speed, this OM lens is still comparatively
smaller than many other standard lenses of other makes. The f/1.8 aperture
provides a relatively bright viewfinder image for focusing and picture
composing. Despite not being mentioned in many OM literature (as there have
already many other dedicated close-up lenses in the Zuiko lens series), this
high performance standard lens is also a perfect choice to use as a bellow
lens but it would require stopping down the lens to smaller apertures due to
it is not corrected for the flatness of field as with the macro lenses.
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This Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 lens is the lightest (and also the cheapest) among all Zuiko interchangeable lenses. It weighs a mere 165 grams, even less than its predecessor (F-Zuiko AUTO-S 50mm f/1.8) which stood at 170gm. |
The reduced weight was achieved via redesigned of the lens with a new optical construction of 6 elements in 4 groups over the older version's 6 elements in 5 groups. Thus, unlike many other manufacturers that went through cost reduction methods of using polycaronated materials, the Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 lens still retains its high built quality which is apparent once you get hold of one in your hand. Further, the reduction of weight also improves handling and portability.
Adding a bellows, extension tubes or a close-up lens allows closer focusing and greater magnifications. But a word of warning, even then, with those accessories, the images may be less than satisfactory because the normal lens is not designed for extreme close-up work. You may also use the lens to inverse the lens for even high magnifications via an adapter.
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But you will need to sopped the lens further in order to achieve satisfactory result as standard lens is not designed to provide the flatness of field required for exact reproduction and these methods are usually used as an interim solution. |
If you need or often work
with close focus photography, always invest into a macro lens which will
provide you with an level of versatility that is hard to match by a standard
lens. A good standard lens that provide such capability is the Zuiko 50mm
f/3.5 MACRO which will be featured next.
| Specification: Current Type: Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 Focal length: 50mm Aperture ratio: 1:1.8 Lens construction: 4 groups, 6 elements Angle of view: Diagonal: 46¡Æ Distance Scale: (m) 0.45 to infinity (oo) Focusing: Helicoid Minimum aperture: f/16 Diaphragm: Automatic Filter Size. 49mm Length x max. diameter: 32mm Weight: 165g (5.8oz) |
Older Type: F-Zuiko
AUTO-S 50mm f/1.8 Focal length: 50mm Aperture ratio: 1:1.8 Lens construction: 5 groups, 6 elements Angle of view: Diagonal: 46¡Æ Distance Scale: (m) 0.45 to infinity (oo) Focusing: Helicoid Minimum aperture: f/16 Diaphragm: Automatic Filter Size. 49mm Length x max. diameter: 31mm Weight: 170g (6.0oz) |
Recommended Focusing Screens: 1:1*, 1:2*, 1:3*, 1:4*, 1:5#, 1:10*, 1:13*, 1:14* |
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To ensure you
have a nice browsing experience without waiting for excessive download time,
subsequent 50mm pages are separate into another page.
Next, the most flexible
option among all standard lenses, the Macro 50mm lens but at the expense of
compromised lens speed.