Amarcord: Olympus 35 SP

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[/shoplink] We now know that Olympus will release a new Micro Four Thirds camera within the next 1-2 months. As they always took inspiration from the past let’s check back some of the Olympus historical cameras. Today I make a short intro to the is the [shoplink 36258 ebay]Olympus 35 SP[/shoplink].

Like so many Olympus cameras also that one marked a point in the camera history. Launched in 1969 it had a unique feature: It was the first Rangefinder camera with a dual metering system (spot or centerweighted readings). It has a high quality 42/1.7 fixed G.Zuiko lens. Yep, there is a “G” letter before the “Zuiko” because it refers to the seventh letter of the alphabet to signify the seven elements of the lens construction. And according to Andrew from UTexas: “It truly matches or surpasses many prime lens available today.“.

But there are many unique features on that camera. a controls (including exposure modes and timer) are on the lens!
Really, you have to read the wonderful written article at Utexas (Click here) to understand all the greatness on this jewel. One more interetsing article is also available at Cameraquest.

The camera itself is of course available on plenty of acutions on [shoplink 36258 ebay]eBay (Click ehre to see them)[/shoplink]. Great camera that (unlike all digital cameras) will likely work fine for all the rest of our long life :)

Is the SLR magic 25mm f/0.95 better than the Nokton?

Andrew Reid tweeted the first image comparing the new SLR Magic 25mm f/0.95 vs the Nokton 25mm f/0.95. I have to say the results of the SLR Magic lens are stunning! I already posted a similar comparison back in May (Click here to read that article). But the lens used by Andrew is the final production version that should come on market in February for $799. But there will be a special rebate at launch and the real price will be $649. That’s $550 less than the Voigtlander Nokton lens!

Current SLRmagic lenses for Micro Four Thirds:
SLR Magic 12-36×50 ED Straight Spotting Scope lens (w/ hand grip) is now available on [shoplink 26994 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
SLR magic 11mm f/1.4 lens you can preorder on [shoplink 22154 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Toy Lens 26mm f/1.4 lens on [shoplink 18603 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
SLR Magic 35mm f/1.7 MC lens on [shoplink 14881 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Noktor SLRmagic 50mm on [shoplink 25691 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]

Blackmagic MFT video sample…

Sunset from John Brawley Tests with Blackmagic MFT and Nokton 17.5mm f/0.95 and SLR Magic 12mm f/1.6.

There is not only the GH3 if you need an advanced Micro Four Thirds video camera. The video on top has been shot on the Blackmagic MFT camera which promises to be a very nice tool for low budget productions.It has been shot with the superb Nokton 17.5mm 0.95 ([shoplink 30452 ebay]here on eBay[/shoplink]) and the [shoplink 36084 ebay]SLR Magic 12mm f/1.6 (here on eBay[/shoplink]). Would love to see a comparison with the GH3 one day, and I am pretty sure the Blackmagic will top the Panasonic camera.

The body only is in Stock for $3000 at [shoplink 36083 ebay]IDSMgroup (Click here)[/shoplink] and (out of Stock) at BHphoto (Click here).

(UPDATED) More About Polaroid’s Mirrorless Camera

Interchangeable lenses and Android 4.1. If that wasn’t enough to be an innovator, now we know that Polaroid’s (oddly named) iM1836 camera has the sensor built into the lens (it’s a 1″ sensor). Though this was done in the past by Ricoh (with the GXR). Moreover, Polaroid says that there will be adapter modules that can take Nikon F, Pentax K and Micro Four Thirds lenses. If I got it right than the camera itself has no sensor and the sensor will fit within the Micro Four Thirds adapter.

dvice (via fstoppers) has some more information about the Polaroid’s features. PetaPixel is also worth a read. DPreview also posted an article.

Olympus OM-D EM-5 Review By Scott Bourne (and refurbished E-M5 deal)

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Scott Bourne, who recently sold all of his professional Canon gear and switched to Micro Four Thirds (see what is in his bag now) wrote a long term review of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 camera (refurbished here for $829). He started using the E-M5 because “[he] wanted a light-weight, low-profile, small, compact camera system that is easy to carry and provides professional-quality images“. What about the image quality? Scott writes:

But what about image quality? Can that small sensor deliver professional images? Absolutely! As long as the camera is operated by someone who knows how to properly use it.

There are obviously also some drwabacks. Mainly…:

I can’t shoot in pre-dawn light and expect the same results I got from a Canon 5D MK III. These smaller sensors suffer when there’s low light. So I simply wait for good light or make my own. The biggest difference for me is in the lack of ability to capture moving subjects. The Canon 1DX has the best autofocus in the world. It can track anything in almost any light, going fast or slow, near or far, coming at you or flying by. The Olympus cannot. The OM-D EM-5 is pretty good at panning subjects. It’s amazing at static objects. The AF on a static object is as fast as there is. Once you try to shoot moving objects the Olympus (and all other MFT cameras I’ve tried) stumbles.

But then…:

One big advantage of the MFT cameras and the Olympus system specifically is the quality of the primes. The very fast, 12mm, 45mm and 75mm Zuiko lenses are spectacular. They are as sharp as anything I’ve used ever. Especially the 75. It may be the sharpest lens I’ve ever tested. With an effective focal length (EFL) of 150mm at f/1.8, it would be an impossible lens to get for a big full-frame DSLR. So here the trade-off is in the plus column. The glass is fast, sharp, contrasty and incredibly reliable.

Scott Bourne sums up the pros and cons of the E-M5 (and the MFT system in general) as follows:

The biggest pros to using the MFT system

1. Stealth
2. Small size
3. Low weight
4. Easy to pack and carry
5. Amazing glass
6. Lower overall cost
7. Options not available to DSLR users

The biggest cons to using the MFT system

1. Low-light performance isn’t as good as DSLR
2. AF on moving subjects is sub-par
3. Can’t tether
4. Short battery life
5. Minimal support system

Read Scott Bourne’s review here, sample images are provided.

More Olympus OM-D E-M5 deals on Amazon clicking here.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 price check: [shopcountry 29074]

Shot with the E-M5 – Image credit: Scott Bourne

New GH3 tests and reviews.


Lumix GH3 vs Canon 5D Mk2

Time for a new GH3 roundup:

Lumix GH3 and Canon 5D Mk2: ISO noise comparison via Discovermirrorless. GH3 test at Mynavi (translation here). A nice french video to test the GH3 at Vimeo. The next “home made” GH3 ISO test at Vimeo. GH3 versus top video cameras like the RED at Vimeo. PictureStyle Setting and ETC Mode Test at Vimeo. GH3 EVF and Screen at Soundimagesplus.

Check the GH3 price and in Stock status at [shopcountry 33624].

Olympus 40-150mm review at Photozone. 60mm macro at SLRgear.


Image courtesy: Photozone

The Olympus 40-150mm has been tested by Photozone (Click here). The lens has no spectacular specs but “it is a quite good entry-level telephoto zoom lens. It may not be a cracker in terms of delivered resolution but it is no show-stopper either. The image quality is quite impressive in the low to mid portion of the zoom range. At 150mm it is somewhat weaker but not terribly so.
Welld odne Olympus…and now give us some f/2.8 Zuiko! :)

More new reviews:
Winterimpressionen – Sigma 19 mm F2.8 EX DN (PenAndTell).
Panasonic 35-100mm f/2.8 zoom at 100mm – GH3 EVF and Screen (Soundimagesplus).
Olympus 75mm f/1.8 compared to Panasonic 35-100mm f/2.8 at Soundimagesplus.
60mm macro test at SLRgear.
Lumix X 12-35mm f/2.8 sharpness evaluation (M43blogspot).