Functionality of Legacy Olympus OM MF Lenses with Pen Micro

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 2:08 am

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

According to my limited experience, this seems not to be an issue with the EP-2.

Harold

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 2:12 am

AndrewC wrote:
Harold Gough wrote:
elf wrote:Camera manufacturers have forgotten that cable releases actually work. Most do not have any way to connect a mechanical cable release. You'll need to make some kind of an adaptor for the camera end.
Most of my references to cable release are to the mechanical OM one. The camera bodies have some kind of remote release provision.

Harold
He means you need to create a IR or electronic adapter. In the Olympus case it is an electronic cable RM-UC1. Actually, "electronic" is being generous - it is probably a simple mechanical switch shorting out two pairs of contacts.

I now have one of the RM-UCI types. It was one of the cheaper ones. It would not work until pushed in very hard to the port but then works OK.

Harold

OzRay · Post by **OzRay** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 2:00 pm

Harold Gough wrote:
What I find to be an absolute pain is the lack of focus aids, such as split image and the various screens (e.g. 'cross-wires') I use with film. The problem with mirrorless cameras!

Harold

The Pen series of cameras have an excellent focussing aid by way of the magnification option ie, you can magnify the on-screen image or VF-2 image up to 10x for critical focusing. It's just a bit clunky when reverting back to normal, but in macro work, probably doesn't matter so much.

Cheers

Ray

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 2:48 am

Looking forward a bit (I am expecting a massive bill for a car repair next week

):

While I welcome being able to use fill flash for the first time (not available with OM), I am stuck for suitable macro flash. Ideally, I need a twin unit on a ring (equivalent to my T28 set) to be fully functional with the EP-2. Olympus having nothing suitable, this leaves me with third party flash guns as my only option. I am quite bewildered by what does what with which model and advice would be most welcome.

Harold

lauriek · Post by **lauriek** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 5:59 am

I would have thought the STF-22 twinflash would work on an Oly micro four thirds camera, I understood most 4/3 accessories would. I've had one of these for my E series cameras for years now, great unit... (but bloody expensive).

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 10:52 am

I have been trying some telemacro to test the performance of my Tamron SP MF 400mm lens. It was on a tripod and the release operated by a remote (cable) switch with a 30sec (anti-shock) delay. The lens was set at f5.6 and the weather was sunny and windless. The distance was about 80 yards/metres. ISO 6490 1/500sec.

This is the original shot.

This is a blown up crop

Both have been sharpened, to my satisfaction in Olympus Master.

I'm aware that the subject size is larger than the standard limits but I hope I will be allowed to demonstrate this point.

This is close-up detail via my Tamron 90mm f2.5 SP MF. Handheld, ISO 400 f8 1/200sec. (Some of the fluffier stages were not within range).

I don't think the 400mm lens performed too badly.

Hasrold

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:20 am

I'm still trying to get to grips with resolution.

This is a closeup, saved at higher resolution than previous images, of the catkin. I had to use highlight metering to get the exposure correct. 90mm Tamron on 42mm extension ISO400 f11 handheld.

Not quite all sharp.

Harold

OzRay · Post by **OzRay** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:37 am

Harold

You're just going to have to use either a monopod or tripod to get things sharp for this sort of thing at ISO400 and f11. Handheld is simply not going to cut it. Also, subject movement is going to be unavoidable at those settings.

Cheers

Ray

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:47 am

OzRay wrote:Harold

You're just going to have to use either a monopod or tripod to get things sharp for this sort of thing at ISO400 and f11. Handheld is simply not going to cut it. Also, subject movement is going to be unavoidable at those settings.

Ray,

It's probably the holding at arms' length which is getting to me. I find it extremely awkward and tiring. I'm still waiting for the VF-2 to arrive.

Harold

OzRay · Post by **OzRay** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:53 am

Harold Gough wrote:
OzRay wrote:Harold

You're just going to have to use either a monopod or tripod to get things sharp for this sort of thing at ISO400 and f11. Handheld is simply not going to cut it. Also, subject movement is going to be unavoidable at those settings.
Ray,

It's probably the holding at arms' length which is getting to me. I find it extremely awkward and tiring. I'm still waiting for the VF-2 to arrive.

Harold

The VF-2 will help significantly, but it won't be a panacea for movement etc. You're still going to need support.

Cheers

Ray

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 7:07 am

I have now done some true telemacro (subject at ca 6 feet/2m) with the 400mm lens, using a tripod. I am using this lens because:

a) It is my longest/most telecentric

b) It has a very high reputation as a film lens, especially its resolution at the mid-range apertures.

c) No claims are made for any macro performance for this model

http://www.adaptall-2.org/lenses/65B.html

Using 8 seconds delay (anti shock), ISO 800 and F8 or F11, on a subject ca 45mm diam, in a slight breeze (flowers moving in and out of frame), 70mm extension between lens and camera:

Narcissus with pollen beetle:

A crop:

This image best shows the anthers and pollen:

Thus, when a small subject cannot be closely approached, there are some possiblities in such a combination.

Harold

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 7:59 am

I just tried to do something similar with the 70-300mm digital for comparison

About the best (closet/largest) I could get, at 300mm, with 35mm extension, was a field of view about 150mm across, from about 5-6m away.

The film lens seems to have an advantage here (if you ignore its 2.27 kg weight, not a major issue on a tripod).

Harold

OzRay · Post by **OzRay** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 2:10 pm

I've done macro shots outdoors with a Nikkor 400mm and macro tubes and it works very well to give you standoff distance, but I find it better for larger subjects such as butterflies etc.

Cheers

Ray

lauriek · Post by **lauriek** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 4:11 pm

The 50-200 (100-400 equiv) oly 4/3 lens with the ex25 tube works beautifully for larger bugs like dragons, damsels and butterflies...

elf · Post by **elf** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 6:40 pm

Are these latest shots sharpened?