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Continous autofocus with 14-54 mk ii on e-pm2 and thoughts on ugly lenses

Started Sep 24, 2018 | Discussions
martok80 Junior Member • Posts: 31
Continous autofocus with 14-54 mk ii on e-pm2 and thoughts on ugly lenses

To start, the KEH ugly 14-54 mk ii lens is pretty darn good. A tiny slight scratch on the front element seems to be the extent of issues and doesn't seem effect the picture at all.

Anyhow, I've mounted this beast and MMF-1 adapter to my E-PM2. It's ridiculous. This works rather well and focuses faster than the kit 14-42 mk i lens and results in great pictures. (Not as fast as any of the primes I have, but no surprise there.)

However, one thing I did notice. Continuous auto focus just doesn't work. Both continuous autofocus and tracking work like single autofocus.

Is this just how 4/3 lenses on MFT bodies behave?

 martok80's gear list:martok80's gear list
Canon PowerShot S90 Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus PEN E-PM2 Olympus E-M1 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 +7 more
Olympus PEN E-PM2 Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 II
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Mark9473 Veteran Member • Posts: 6,428
Re: Continous autofocus with 14-54 mk ii on e-pm2 and thoughts on ugly lenses

It depends on the lens and the camera. There's a compatibility chart somewhere that explains things. Not on my desktop PC to offer a link, but no doubt somebody will be along shortly.

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Mark

 Mark9473's gear list:Mark9473's gear list
Canon G1 X II Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Panasonic G85 Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm 1:2.8-3.5 SWD +21 more
apathyman Veteran Member • Posts: 4,151
Re: Continous autofocus with 14-54 mk ii on e-pm2 and thoughts on ugly lenses

martok80 wrote:

However, one thing I did notice. Continuous auto focus just doesn't work. Both continuous autofocus and tracking work like single autofocus.

Is this just how 4/3 lenses on MFT bodies behave?

I think that might be true. See this compatibility document from Olympus:

http://www.olympusamerica.com/files/oima_cckb/FT-MFT_Lens_Adapter_Compatibility_EN.pdf

The note near the top of the document refers to the E-PL-1 but may be true for other bodies (the document dates from 2010 - not sure if there's an updated version).

Cheers

Brian

OP martok80 Junior Member • Posts: 31
Re: Continous autofocus with 14-54 mk ii on e-pm2 and thoughts on ugly lenses

That explains it!  Still very happy with the quality from this lens.  Next, perhaps a *slightly* more appropriately sized body.

 martok80's gear list:martok80's gear list
Canon PowerShot S90 Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus PEN E-PM2 Olympus E-M1 Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 +7 more
Denjw
Denjw Veteran Member • Posts: 6,853
Re: Continous autofocus with 14-54 mk ii on e-pm2 and thoughts on ugly lenses

Put it on a PDAF optimised body like the E-M1 and it will perform far better and look the part also.

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 Denjw's gear list:Denjw's gear list
Olympus E-300 Olympus E-30 Olympus E-5 Olympus E-M1 Olympus E-M1 II +17 more
Skeeterbytes Forum Pro • Posts: 23,186
Re: Continous autofocus with 14-54 mk ii on e-pm2 and thoughts on ugly lenses

If you want a "fighting chance" a bargain E-M1 will make a good home for your new 14-54. The C-AF does work with 4/3 lenses even if you won't mistake the response for a native m4/3 lens. Plenty of grip to match the 14-54 size and heft.

Good luck!

Rick

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