Good advice for Louis but I have a few comments.
Wide angles are generally not recommended for use with a converter. The
28 and 35 might work fine but I'd be a bit surprised if they did. I
don't know, never tried it. I'll bow to your experience if you have.
Your math got a bit confused on the 100/2.8 with 2X. That becomes a
200/5.6 so it's not actually faster then the 200/5. Drat!!!
I have a Vivitar Series 1 90/2.5 macro lens but it only goes 1:2 by
itself and needs its custom 1:1 converter to get closer. But it's
actuall a converter an not merely an extension tube. Vivitar may have
offered a similar lens that goes 1:1 by itself (ala Kiron) but I'm not
famiilar enough with all of the Vivitar lenses to know.
Chuck Norcutt
r.burnette@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> Hi Louis:
>
> Welcome aboard. As someone said, "Opinions are like noses; everyone
> has one." ;o) Here's mine.
>
> Your decision to stick to Olympus prime lenses is one option, but
> omits some versatility -- depending upon your photographic purposes
> and needs. Most Zuiko lens are quite good and some are simply
> outstanding -- including the zooms. For example, the 35-70mm f3.5-4.5
> and the 75-150mm f4 zooms are reasonably priced, take excellent
> photos (if the photographer is competent), cover a nice focal range,
> are very light weight, share the same 49mm filter size and make a
> nice walk-about combination. (Sharing filter size is a plus provided
> by many Zuiko lenses.) These two zooms would cover (in focal length)
> all the primes you mentioned, except for the 28mm length, and provide
> many intermediate focal lengths for compostion purposes.
>
> I have been quite pleased with my zoom lenses over the years. My
> 75-150mm lens has been a favored companion for 32 years. I'e had the
> 35-70mm lens for almost 20 years. Unlike some pros on this list with
> demands far more stringent than mine, I don't need lenses that excel
> in taking pictures of line charts. These two zooms can cover a large
> portion of the photos I take and give me results that are very
> pleasing. (I also use Kiron, Tokina and Vivitar zooms, but they don't
> use 49mm filters.) The use of zoom lenses cuts down the amount of
> equipment you have to carry and covers an extremely wide range of
> focal lengths.
>
> There is also a preference for many on this list for the most
> expensive primes, notably the f2 series. That's all well and good if
> you have the appropriate wallet and/or intend to do a lot of
> low-light or flash photography. Personally, I find that with my
> subject preferences and modern film speeds I can do quite well with
> the slower f-stop lenses. For example, I have been quite pleased with
> my 100mm f2.8 lens. I don't need the f2. For most shots, the 100mm
> seems to be a slightly better focal choice than the 85mm. Others
> disagree.
>
> As for primes, your choice of a 28mm f.28 is a good one, but unless
> you intend to do a lot of close quarters shooting, the Zuiko 35mm
> f2.8 is adequate for most wide angle photos. Some people like the
> perspective so much they use it as their normal lens. You have the
> 50mm f1.4. The 50m f3.5 is an excellent macro lens. The
> aforementioned 100mm f2.8 is a nice moderate telephoto lens for
> portraits. These Zuikos share the 49mm filters, are generally
> available on eBay or KEH and are reasonably priced. The 135mm f3.5
> (or 2.8, which is not 49mm) is another possibility. The 200mm f5 is a
> nice lens, but with the 100mm 2.8 and the 2X converter that focal
> length is covered and with a faster f-stop.
>
> The suggestion to purchase a 2x converter and a set of extension
> tubes is a good one. I prefer either the Zuiko 2X-A or the Vivitar 2X
> Macro converter. (I use both.) Either the Olympus Auto Extension
> Tubes (7, 14, 25mm) or the Vivitar AT-21 Auto Extension Tubes (12,
> 20, 35mm) would serve you well. Using the 2X converter with the
> aforementioned primes, (28 or 35, 50, 50 macro, 100, 135) you could
> have available a 28 f2.8 (or 35mm f2.8), a 56mm f4 (or 70mm f4), 50mm
> f1.4, 100mm f5.6 macro, a 100 f2.8, a 200mm f4 lens and a 270mm f5.6
> -- all sharing 49mm filters. For longer reach, the 300mm f4.5 is a
> nice, but moderately heavy telephoto (72mm filter) and works best
> with a good monopod or tripod. A 2X converter makes that a 600mm f8
> lens.
>
> If you need/want a longer and faster macro lens, Kiron, Tokina and
> Vivitar both make macro lenses in the 90mm range with an f2.5 f-stop.
> The Zuiko 90mm f2 is outstanding, but you will pay a premium for it.
> The Tokina AT-X and the Vivitar Series 1 are pro line lenses. These
> lenses give excellent results. (They do not use 49mm filters.) I have
> a superb example of the Tokina 90mm F2.5 macro lens. I really
> appreciate the ability to back off a bit from my subjects, especially
> any ones that sting or bite. ;o) It only gives 1:2 results, but has
> a matched extension tube to bring it to 1:1. If I recall correctly,
> the Vivitar and Kiron give 1:1 results without extenders. These three
> are rather heavy lenses and built very well. I have never owned or
> used a Tamron. I'm not familiar with them.
>
> These suggested Zuiko lenses probably would meet 90 plus percent of
> your photo needs. (Many famous photographers made it with less.)
> Photo specialists would have other needs, I'm sure, but these lenses
> coupled with your OM-4 would make a nice, reasonably priced
> (comparatively speaking) photo outfit.
>
> I'm certain that others will have alternate suggestions, but these
> Zuikos offer several advantages, as mentioned, and are moderately
> easy on the wallet. I dare say that there are members of the Olympus
> list who have switched to digital -- Olympus, N*k*n, C*n*n, etc. --
> who have some of these lenses for sale and others who desire to cull
> their collections.
>
> Happy collecting,
>
> Robert
>
>
>> Louis Naturani wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> I thought it is time I should cease lurking and let myself be
>>
>> known. I
>>
>>> cut my photography teeth with an OM-1n in the late 70s - early
>>> 80s. After many years using c***n gear, I have now seen the error
>>>
>>
>> of my ways
>>
>>> and recently bought an OM-4 in near mint condition. I am
>>
>> head over
>>
>>> heals about this body and can't wait to start shooting. It came
>>> with a 50/f1.4 with a six digit s/n.
>>
>> Unfortunately I learnt too
>>
>>> late that I should have sought a post 1,100,000 s/n 50/f1.4 lens.
>>> How much of a set back can this be?
>>>
>>> I have decided with this kit to stick to using 3 or 4 primes
>>
>> to maximize
>>
>>> my picture taking enjoyment, and hopefully image
>>
>> sharpness/quality.> Anyway, As I am still basically an amateur I
>> was hoping some one could
>>
>>> advise me on what primes to aim for. Aside from the 50mm
>>
>> I already
>>
>>> have, I am after a 28mm and a portrait lens - say 85/f2,
>>
>> 100/f2 or f2.8,
>>
>>> or perhaps a 135 f2.8.
>>>
>>> Any help appreciated.
>>>
>>> Louis Naturani Melbourne Australia
>
>
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