The "Silvernosed" lenses were actually a limited production run
specialty series. These lenses featured a "chromed" filter ring
and front edge of the aperture ring.
They were originally conceived as the preferred match to the
silver-bodied OM-1 and OM-2, they were quite popular and brought
a premium price in their day. However, Olympus dropped the
silvernosed lenses from the product line around the time they
were bringing out the OM-2S and OM-4, which were black-bodied.
The Silvernosed lenses also featured a few optical enhancements.
The 50/1.8 was a loser, but that's because the preferred lens
was the 50/1.4. The 1.4 was VERY sharp in the center, with
resolution dropoff at the edges. This was done to enhance not
only the bokeh, but to make the lens better for portraiture. The
black-nosed lenses are sharper overall, but lack the center snap
that the silvernosed lenses had. Several models of the
silvernosed lenses have never been bettered by later
designs--the 35/2.8 being one of them.
Silvernosed lenses feature an advanced coating with aids in
contrast control. This coating, known as "N-1" brings shadow
detail up and helps match high-contrast scenes to the film's
response curves. As films improved, Olympus eventually dropped
the "N-1" coating. If you shoot B&W, the "N-1" coating is a
lifesaver.
Again, the Silvernosed lenses were the "Premium" line of lenses.
The black-nosed lenses were the "Normal" line. Olympus
eventually dropped the Premium line due to manufacturing costs
and the fact that the new OM-2S and OM-4 were black-bodied.
AG-Schnozz
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