Lineypi
Leading Member
Cheers
That's cleared up a bit for me. I think one of the lenses isn't an AR, so I may have to get a separate adapter for it, but I'll look into it and see. Thanks again -
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Inherited Hexanon lenses - should I buy an E-P1 to use them?
- Thread starter Lineypi
- Start date
That's cleared up a bit for me. I think one of the lenses isn't an AR, so I may have to get a separate adapter for it, but I'll look into it and see. Thanks again 
Yes why not? People here don't realise that part of the reputation of the Hexanon comes from the fact that they have exactly the same register of regular 4/3. Therefore no adapter is needed.
OhI agree on that, But then you loose the main advantage which is no need of an adapter. Actually my Zeiss 50 was a bit sharper than the Hexanon 50 therefore I sold it.
OTH using a dedicated adapter perhaps you don't need to unscrew the pin, and the lens can lock into place. But on a 4/3--> µ4/3 adapter it won't lock, so the elastic band night be an idea.
Am.
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I second that : you can have great deal on the E-P1 (which I have) right now, but it is not so great with Manual focusing lenses. The main problem is that you won't be able to focuse in bright sun using only the lcd. You need a camera with a good finder in bright sun. and the E-P1 doesn't support the wonderfull VF-2 which you can have for the E-Pl1 or E-P2. So I'd say that among the MFT cameras, your choice is between Panasonic G1, G2, GH1 (the viewfinder of the GF1 is said to be of lower quality than on the Gs) and among the Olympus : E-P2 or E-Pl1.
As for the Bolex-Paillard thing : it is an old movies film camera. The lenses will probably not cover the whole sensor of the MFT bodies.
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rrr_hhh
duartix
Senior Member
To think of all the sanding and drilling I went through...
... still it is worth to have the focus scale with the right side up!
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Duarte Bruno
duartix
Senior Member
There is only one thing I don't agree about this advice. I would never buy the EVF later as it's too expensive out of kit, so if you have the chance you should try MF on the camera before you buy it because the chances you'll go for the EVF kit are 95% if you want to use those Hexanons.
BTW, buying a E-PL1 EVF kit makes almost no sense when the E-P2 kit is going for little over it.
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Duarte Bruno
Lineypi
Leading Member
Hmm, but I can't seem to find the E-P2 kit selling with the VF2 - only the VF1, and I think I'd prefer to get the VF2 (I like that it's adjustable). So for me, I'm potentially better off getting the E-PL1 body (which seems to be cheaper) and buying the VF2 separately. But I've really only been looking on ebay, I'll do a proper hunt around at my camera stores a bit later on.
Thanks for the advice
Lineypi
Leading Member
Thanks for your advice. I think I probably will end up wanting to get the viewfinder attachment and the VF-2 looks great. I'll have to get into a store and give them all a try & see which I like best.
As to the Bolex Paillard - thanks for the information
But that's a shame about the lenses probably not being able to cover the whole sensor in m4/3 cameras Although I guess it's not too surprising - the bolex paillard lenses are heaps smaller than the hexanon ones. Cheers 1) I wouldn't kill myself over the viewfinder. It's a good viewfinder by all acocunts, but I am using a lot of legacy lenses and focus them manually on E-PL1 screen. It was quite difficult at the start, but now I'm quite comfortable with focusing all kinds of lenses including 135 f2.8 that many here considered difficult. You probably want to keep the option of viewfinder open, but if you see a good deal on E-PL1 or E-P2 w/o the viewfinder, go for it. Viewfinder is NOT a must for MF lenses.
2) Many people are using Bolex lenses on m4/3 and like the look. I'm not one of these people though. I'd suggest you get a c-mount m4/3 adapter and see for yourself how it works with your lenses (that's around $15 expense) or google for your particular lens. Paillards are quite popular with c-mount m4/3 crowd.
2) Many people are using Bolex lenses on m4/3 and like the look. I'm not one of these people though. I'd suggest you get a c-mount m4/3 adapter and see for yourself how it works with your lenses (that's around $15 expense) or google for your particular lens. Paillards are quite popular with c-mount m4/3 crowd.
Oh, it's not that expensive after all. You can shoot a lot of film and have it printed even for the price of an E-PL1
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Bilgy_no1
Senior Member
It seems that the E-P2 is now only sold without the VF-2. When it was introduced, the high price of the kit that included the VF-2 was often critisised. At least in Holland, I can only find kits without the VF2.Hmm, but I can't seem to find the E-P2 kit selling with the VF2 - only the VF1, and I think I'd prefer to get the VF2 (I like that it's adjustable). So for me, I'm potentially better off getting the E-PL1 body (which seems to be cheaper) and buying the VF2 separately. But I've really only been looking on ebay, I'll do a proper hunt around at my camera stores a bit later on.
Thanks for the advice
E-PL1 is quite a bit cheaper now, and it has another advantage over the E-P2 for use with manual focus lenses: direct button for live view magnification.
Damien
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duartix
Senior Member
If you do so, get the EVF now, you won't regret it. Buying later means paying a lot more.I think this is what I'll do - thanks for the great suggestion
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Duarte Bruno
Lineypi
Leading Member
I've just read about the Sony A55 that's being released - any ideas on whether it (as a hybrid-type camera) would have any luck with the hexanon lenses? I've read somewhere that it will supposedly be compatible with legacy minolta & konica lenses, but will that include the hexanons?
I really do like the look of the Olympus m4/3 cameras, but I'll probably have more luck convincing my parents to chip in if I go with a Sony (my Dad has a Sony DSLR - he was hoping it would be compatible with his Minolta lenses, but it doesn't seem to be. But this one should be compatible with the lenses & flash we've got for the a350).
Thanks again everyone for your help - I'm really hoping I can make it out to my local camera shop this Saturday to give the Olympus cams a go
Oh, and can anyone suggest a good 'travel lens' for the Olympus cams? I'm going on holiday in October to New Zealand and was hoping for something with a decent range (50-300mm or around there). I've been considering just getting one of the compact 'super zooms' (Pana FZ35 of Canon SX20) but the image quality & poor low light performance on these cameras is really making me hesitate. Plus if I can put the money towards something that will be more useful after the holiday, then that's probably a good idea
Thanks again everyone!
I really do like the look of the Olympus m4/3 cameras, but I'll probably have more luck convincing my parents to chip in if I go with a Sony (my Dad has a Sony DSLR - he was hoping it would be compatible with his Minolta lenses, but it doesn't seem to be. But this one should be compatible with the lenses & flash we've got for the a350).
Thanks again everyone for your help - I'm really hoping I can make it out to my local camera shop this Saturday to give the Olympus cams a go
Oh, and can anyone suggest a good 'travel lens' for the Olympus cams? I'm going on holiday in October to New Zealand and was hoping for something with a decent range (50-300mm or around there). I've been considering just getting one of the compact 'super zooms' (Pana FZ35 of Canon SX20) but the image quality & poor low light performance on these cameras is really making me hesitate. Plus if I can put the money towards something that will be more useful after the holiday, then that's probably a good idea
Thanks again everyone!
Lineypi
Leading Member
Actually, I'm not 100% sure if that's right. Maybe if I want the EV-1 (as it's sold in the package), but the EV-2 seems to only be sold separately. I'd probably be more interested in the Ev-2 with its rotating view finder (I like getting down on the ground & taking shots of dirt & leaves and stuff
)I'm 99% sure that Hexanons and older Minolta lenses (manufactured before 1985) are incompatible with Sony. Minolta AF lenses (post 85) are compatible.
The lens that you get in a kit (Zuiko 14-42) is a fabulous travel lens because it's collapsible, light and you can stuff it in almost any pocket. Panasonic 20mm is fabulous when it gets dark, and it's the lens that makes the most sense for this camera because it's very light and slim. This lens is expensive, however, around $350. You want this lens, trust me.Thanks again everyone for your help - I'm really hoping I can make it out to my local camera shop this Saturday to give the Olympus cams a go
Oh, and can anyone suggest a good 'travel lens' for the Olympus cams?
Whether you need a long lens is debatable. There are two main options: Panasonic 45-200 and 4/3 Zuiko 40-150 with an adapter. Zuiko is very small, light, cheap (around $130) and good. It's also completely plastic. The problem is an adapter, which is expensive. Autofocus is OK, but a bit slow. Sometimes there are deals allowing you to get Zuiko with an adapter for $200. This lens is great value. Panasonic is better built, heavier, longer, autofocuses faster and costs $300. There are mixed opinions and long debates about its image quality.
Personally, I would rather get 20mm before any of the long lenses. If there is still budget left, then I would read one of these endless debates on this forum regarding Pany 45-200 and 40-150. I have 40-150 because I've got adapter for free with it (Olympus promotion) and I have no complaints.
Lineypi
Leading Member
So that would explain why I've been able to find an adapter for my Dad's Minolta lens (the MC rokkor) but haven't had any luck with the Hexanons. Thanks for clarifying.Thanks for the great suggestions
I'm glad to hear that the kit lens is good Thanks also for the advice on the tele side of things - I'm not sure if I want to get involved in one of the endless debates, though XD I probably don't need the zoom for the holiday, I think I'd just like to have the option, though.
I'm really glad I posted my initial question here - the quality of the answers I've gotten is fantastic. Thanks for all your help
There has already been an answer to that question and I agree with it.
Lately, they have begun to sell the E-Pl1 in kit with a new Olympus MFT lens, the 14-150mm. this is a 35mm equivalent of a 28-300mm zoom and may be what you are looking for. I'm not sure if dpreview has already reviewed that lens and whether it is good. May be that other know. Along with the E-Pl1 it would offer just the kind of versatility to expect from a travel kit.Oh, and can anyone suggest a good 'travel lens' for the Olympus cams? I'm going on holiday in October to New Zealand and was hoping for something with a decent range (50-300mm or around there). I've been considering just getting one of the compact 'super zooms' (Pana FZ35 of Canon SX20) but the image quality & poor low light performance on these cameras is really making me hesitate. Plus if I can put the money towards something that will be more useful after the holiday, then that's probably a good idea
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rrr_hhh
Konica lenses fit to µ4/3 cameras with a simple adapter (Available from ebay at $10-$15 new from Hong Kong, incl transport!)
These are good lenses... And learning to use them (No more auto aperture, find out how it works so you can "hack" it or get a more expensive adapter that will do it for you) and using the manual focus is ofcause more fiddly (but more rewarding) than AF (or even MF on a native µ4/3 lens)
These are good lenses... And learning to use them (No more auto aperture, find out how it works so you can "hack" it or get a more expensive adapter that will do it for you) and using the manual focus is ofcause more fiddly (but more rewarding
) than AF (or even MF on a native µ4/3 lens)
Lineypi
Leading Member
I think this is the one you mean? http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/olympus_m_14-150_4-5p6_o20/
From the sounds of it, it's quite a nice lens (if a little slow) with a great range, so thanks heaps for the suggestion!
It pushes up the price of the kit a bit, from what I can see, but I'll definitely look into it some more! duartix
Senior Member
All my previous posts were addressing the VF-2 ( I mentioned EVF so it could never be the VF-1) and I've read here and there that the kit package containing it has being discontinued, yet if you are living in €land Pixmania keeps selling it. I've bought (and returned) one a few weeks ago...
Their prices, service and location were an unbeatable option in my case.
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Duarte Bruno
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