NEW CAMERA - OLD LENSES

It's to punish you for not having to buy their expensive new lenses. (I've also read that cheapo adaptors from Hong Kong costing £100 less can be a bit wobbly)

 

Having read of occasional (minor) problems with 3rd party adaptors and spending around £1,000 on new gear I just didn't want to risk it.

My new Olympus OMD EM5 camera arrived today and I've had a play with it today, using the supplied 12-50 lens and my old OM Zuiko 85-250mm f4 which converts to a 170-500mm telephoto! and was easy to use (but need to check out how to manually set the image stabilisation for different focal length old manual lenses). Will dust/clean some other of my old lenses tomorrow, but might ditch the 50mm F1.8 (as have a F1.4) complete with all my old OM1 bodies at Oxfam.

I'm wondering about getting an OM Zuiko 50mm Macro F3.5 lens for it, but not entirely sure how that will work with the adaptor/doubling the focal length on a m3/4 camera (yes, already thinking of getting more 'old' lenses).

I also have to decide whether I want a free lens + battery or grip + battery (worth up to £330) to go with it as I got in on the last day of the offer http://olympus-omd-freelensgrip.sales-promotions.com/ , but the grip will defeat the object of getting a small m4/3 camera and my OM 50mm F1.4 lens may well be better than the free one.

 

I think that's what I'll do, because the grip is camera specific, but the m3/4 lens will fit a variety of four thirds cameras and be more saleable should I decide not to keep it (+ might cover the cost of that 'old' macro lens).

 

Hi, an interesting thread as I use manual Pentax lenses. Well only 3 lenses but I do rate them. But as they have become more popular with the emergence of adapters for most cameras they have increased in price. The Bay is a great place to surf to check out prices and follow bidding.
Gazania

 

Hi, yes I have a Pentax K10 which I have had for what seems like forever! A good trusty camera that has been out with me in all kinds of weather. I use an old Pentax film camera sometimes. I also have a Sony nex F3 that fits into my pocket when I am out and about. I use an adapter with the Sony so I can use my Pentax lenses, a 50mm, 28mm and 75-150. I find this covers my needs. The 50 can cover quite a bit of ground and I have fun reversing it for macro. The 28 is also quite versatile and great for wide shots. I use the 75-150 a lot on the K10 for gardens visits e.t.c when I want to carry just one lens.
Gazania

 

Hi, know my stuff? I wish! I know enough to get by. Luckily I've not been tempted to spend out big money on cameras and lenses e.t.c. and get by on the bare minimum. It can be quite addictive. And magazines and companies are always trying to sell something that is better than the last one. For me, taking photos is a way of recording what I see and want to keep a memory of. We can get sucked into how sharp is it? pixel peeping at 100%, e.t.c. ... and that's okay. But it usually comes at a price, money!

Yes the K10 was/is a good camera. I was never tempted to get the K20 or subsequent models. But my next DSLR will be a Pentax again. That's why I concentrate on Pentax fit lenses. The K10 is only 10megs but I think it has a lot of life left in it yet. It's had about 4600 actuation's, or was it 6400?, which isn't too bad for a camera that old.

The Sony F3 produces some very nice quality photos for me. The kit lens is a cracker too for flower photos. And being small I can carry it in my jacket pocket when out walking.

Must post some photos soon.

Gazania

 

The Tamron sounds like a good buy. When I look at the Bay I check out the manual macro lenses around 100mm. Pentax, Vivitar e.t.c. That's a good focal length for me. Gives me some distance between me and the plants. I also get some good results with the Sony kit lens. The only drawback for me with the camera is a lack of a viewfinder. I didn't think it would bother me but it does. I can buy an excellent viewfinder for it but at around £250 I don't think so!
Gazania

 

An interesting read. I'm assuming that a 'Kit' lens is the standard lens that comes with the camera. Does this mean that they don't perform as well as some? What is meant by 'Prime' lens? Some clarification please?

Edit : Sorry, more simplistic questions, and more to follow