Functionality of Legacy Olympus OM MF Lenses with Pen Micro

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Harold Gough
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Functionality of Legacy Olympus OM MF Lenses with Pen Micro

Post by Harold Gough »

This thread is for continuation of discussion initiated here (from top of page 2):

http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... 7813#77813

Harold
My images are a medium for sharing some of my experiences: they are not me.

Harold Gough
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Post by Harold Gough »

I have searched the internet and found dozens of locations where the MF-2 adapter is sold, and many others where it is reviewed or discussed, and not one of them mentions whether the OM lenses have manual only (preset) or automatic diaphragm function.

I have just contacted a technical specialist for a photographic magazine, who has access to an MF-2. He confrms that there is no mechanical linkage to operate the diaphram automatically. Thus, it would not enable me to use my lenses in a practical way, such that the project is totally non-viable.

harold
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OzRay
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Post by OzRay »

I'm not quite sure what you mean by:
Thus, it would not enable me to use my lenses in a practical way...
For macro work especially, manually adjusting the aperture is a pretty normal thing, you generally want everything to be manually controlled. I've got an E-P2 and use it with manual lenses, including bellows etc, and it's very easy to operate.

I might also add that one battery charge will give you many hundreds of shots for stacking. Plus, memory cards are so cheap nowadays, that you can get 8+Gb cards for a very low cost and these will hold way more shots than you could possibly require in a stacking capacity.

Cheers

Ray

elf
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Post by elf »

OzRay wrote:I'm not quite sure what you mean by:
Thus, it would not enable me to use my lenses in a practical way...
For macro work especially, manually adjusting the aperture is a pretty normal thing, you generally want everything to be manually controlled. I've got an E-P2 and use it with manual lenses, including bellows etc, and it's very easy to operate.

I might also add that one battery charge will give you many hundreds of shots for stacking. Plus, memory cards are so cheap nowadays, that you can get 8+Gb cards for a very low cost and these will hold way more shots than you could possibly require in a stacking capacity.

Cheers

Ray

I can only add that many, many people are using OM lens on 4/3rds and m4/3rds and the autodiaphragm is not mentioned as an issue. I'd recommend taking a lens into a local shop and testing the functionality.

I have 3 batteries for my e330 and an 8gb card and routinely have to replace both during stacks. 2000+ images soak up a lot of energy and space :)

walter23
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Post by walter23 »

I'm using two OM lenses (zuiko 50/~1.8 and zuiko 200/4) with an inexpensive ebay OM-M43 adapter with no problems whatsoever. The diaphragm is manually controlled. If there's some kind of body-trigger to open and stop-down the lens for focus / shooting I think the adapter takes care of that, though I haven't really paid attention - it just works.

I just bought a generic $20 adapter.

Macro on a bellows would be even less of a worry, since the bellows will be original OM equipment most likely, and you'll just adapt the "dumb" end of it to the camera.

Harold Gough
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Post by Harold Gough »

elf wrote: I can only add that many, many people are using OM lens on 4/3rds and m4/3rds and the autodiaphragm is not mentioned as an issue.
Thanks but I've been there 30 years ago with my Canon 20mm bellows lens. It has taken me until very recently to get fully equiped with auto diaphragm bellows lenses and I have no intention of going back. Also for field close-ups of active insects auto diaphragm is essential.

Harold
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elf
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Post by elf »

The autodiaphragm mechanism is mechanical, so I don't think you'll be able to find any digital camera or off the shelf adaptor that can handle it. One viable solution would be to use a leaf shutter between the lens and camera.
Fotoopa uses this technique for IIF: http://www.pbase.com/fotoopa/setup_2009

The m4/3rds would allow you to put the shutter between the lens and the camera as there is 26mm depth.

Craig Gerard
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Post by Craig Gerard »

Harold wrote:...snip...Also for field close-ups of active insects auto diaphragm is essential
Harold, not necessarily "essential"; but sometimes very useful.

Craig
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ChrisR
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Post by ChrisR »

I maybe share your thoughts about an auto diaphragm Harold. Trying to find your subject in the field hand-held with f(lots) is hard.
This is where the Canon users have the advantage with the MPE-65.

I keep looking at the Olympus lenses wondering if I can arrange pulleys and springs to get a Nikon to stop one down. :smt017


Elf - a leaf shutter? One of us has missed the point :lol: . If it's you, please atone by designing aforementioned auto adapter :lol: :lol: .

Harold Gough
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Post by Harold Gough »

elf wrote:The autodiaphragm mechanism is mechanical, so I don't think you'll be able to find any digital camera or off the shelf adaptor that can handle it. One viable solution would be to use a leaf shutter between the lens and camera.
Fotoopa uses this technique for IIF: http://www.pbase.com/fotoopa/setup_2009

The m4/3rds would allow you to put the shutter between the lens and the camera as there is 26mm depth.
Thanks. That was the principle I was considering this morning as the only remaining option, although I was going to have to delve into my favorites to track down the hardware. How different apertures would affect image quality, compared with the integral diaphragm of the lens, is something I would need to get my head around. *

The other option, where the flange distance is also relevant, is to insert a cable-operated diaphragm closure, as from the front of an OM auto bellows. That would be my prefered option, in that the considerations * (above) would not arise, although in both cases an appropriate conection to the body via a bayonet would be required.

In both cases, I have some concern about lens-recognition issues by the camera body.

These solutions open up the possibility of using other models/makes of camera body, flange to sensor depth allowing, the cost remaining a major concern.

So, there is a glimmer of life in the project yet!

Harold
My images are a medium for sharing some of my experiences: they are not me.

AndrewC
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Post by AndrewC »

Harold Gough wrote:...
In both cases, I have some concern about lens-recognition issues by the camera body.

...

Harold
What is the concern ? I think most of the m4/3 bodies are the same - you can just tell them to ignore whether or not the lens is there. To my knowledge, lens recognition is used for things like in camera distortion and CA correction and (for the Panasonics) VR control which is performed on th elens not the sensor.
rgds, Andrew

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OzRay
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Post by OzRay »

You can use just about any lens (not just camera lenses) ever made (provided that you can get an appropriate adapter), with m4/3s. There are no lens recognition issues at all, at least with the Olympus m4/3s bodies and I believe you can tell the Panasonic bodies to ignore the fact that a lens is not attached (when a non-m4/3s lens is attached).

Cheers

Ray

Harold Gough
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Post by Harold Gough »

Thanks, folks.

I've just investigated the cable release mechanism from the front lens-mount holder of my auto bellows. The front to back measurement is just over 12mm, of which some 4mm is a smooth, 51mm external diam, male fit into the bellows. If the latter could be fitted with a micro 4/3 bayonet male, and one can be obtained, there are strong possibilities of a working setup. Or is there scope to use an MF-1 adapter to achieve that, possibly just as a donor? Perhaps an extension ring might be less expensive?

All measurements are with a tape measure, so will not be accurate.

While a cable release to close the diaphragm might be somewhat fiddly, it is far better, except in very bright light, to preset apertures.

Harold
My images are a medium for sharing some of my experiences: they are not me.

elf
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Post by elf »

ChrisR wrote:Elf - a leaf shutter? One of us has missed the point :lol: . If it's you, please atone by designing aforementioned auto adapter :lol: :lol: .
You mean a leaf shutter doesn't have a diaphragm built in too :) Back to the drawing board...
Harold Gough wrote:Thanks, folks.

I've just investigated the cable release mechanism from the front lens-mount holder of my auto bellows. The front to back measurement is just over 12mm, of which some 4mm is a smooth, 51mm external diam, male fit into the bellows. If the latter could be fitted with a micro 4/3 bayonet male, and one can be obtained, there are strong possibilities of a working setup. Or is there scope to use an MF-1 adapter to achieve that, possibly just as a donor? Perhaps an extension ring might be less expensive?

All measurements are with a tape measure, so will not be accurate.

While a cable release to close the diaphragm might be somewhat fiddly, it is far better, except in very bright light, to preset apertures.

Harold

You've probably already seen these links:
http://www.alanwood.net/photography/oly ... lease.html
http://www.alanwood.net/photography/oly ... llows.html

The cable release end that fits on the camera could probably be configured to press the shutter button or trigger an IR remote.

Harold Gough
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Location: Reading, Berkshire, England

Post by Harold Gough »

elf wrote:You've probably already seen these links:
http://www.alanwood.net/photography/oly ... lease.html
http://www.alanwood.net/photography/oly ... llows.html

The cable release end that fits on the camera could probably be configured to press the shutter button or trigger an IR remote.
I should have made it clear that mine is the OM autobellows.

The cameras have some kind of cable release, at least via a remote. If the body accepts conventional cable release then my double cable would, effectively, give autodiaphragm for tripod work, where I usually use a single one anyway.

harold
My images are a medium for sharing some of my experiences: they are not me.

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