Customer Reviews

Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Telephoto Macro ED Lens for E1, E300 & E500 Digital SLR Cameras

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Update 10/2010 - I wrote this review a long time ago but it's still true today. I moved my 50mm from my E300 to my E3 and still get great portraits from it. I bought the macro empty tube for real closeups and the teleconverter as adjuncts to make this more useful - I don't recommend everyone buys those items unless you are taking forensic pictures in macro mode or want a 200mm 35mm equivalent lens. The tube is cheap because there is no glass inside - it moves the lens out for magnification w/o glass. I just wanted to point out that I've been following this lens price and this month its down lower than the past year (where it approached five bills) so now is a good time to buy at 438 usd. Review begins below.

Before purchasing this lens you should read some literature. You don't need to be a lens expert - but know what "MTF" means. MTF is modulation transfer function. It is a qualty by which lenses are judged. The more linear the plot, the better the odds you've bought a winner. Olympus and Cannon both publish their MTF plots of their "BETTER" quality lenses. They don't publish the plots of the "included in the box" lenses. For good reason. You can analyze them on a machine if you have a lab and discover they resemble a rollercoaster and not a horizontal line like you would prefer.

Google MTF LENS modulation transfer function and you'll be on your way - then visit OLY's website and click on the MTF curves on this lens. You'll see why it is so well thought of.

Now let's talk Zoom. Remember your old 35mm camera. If you wanted a closeup, you walked towards the person. A wide angle meant walking backwards, mindful of the pool, traffic, etc. The zoom lens eliminated some of this to the extent of its focal length. This is not a zoom lens. It is called a PRIME lens. PRIME = opposite of ZOOM. It's like that old friend on your first 35mm camera. But with a little under the hood.

This is called a macro lens. That does not mean it only can shoot closeups. It will focus from 6" to infinity. For $35 or so you can buy a 3 piece set of magnifiers from Hoya or Tiffen - they screw on like filters but magnify the image in 1, 2, and 4 diopter power. Like using a loupe to view a stone, they help you see the fine detail. The microprinting in the new $20 bill is easy to photograph with this lens. You can see things not visable to the naked eye with it.

Finally - as I mentioned the focus does cover close up to infinity like any good lens (just unscrew those magnifiers used to photo your stamp collection). But you will see that while most lenses (in meters) will have a readout of 1, 2, 5, 9, 15, 25, infinity in meters - this lens starts way down at 0.22 m (22 cm!) - the next number is about 0.24 m. The point is there is a wide range of focus space down close to the lens below a meter, then 1, 2, 3 meters. For closeups this can't be beat.

This is not to say you can't use this lens like old'faithful on your first 35mm camera. I've shot entire photoshoots with this just stepping back a couple times to frame the shot how I wanted it. I also switch to aperature mode (A) on the Oly Evolt and stopped down the lens to F10 outside or with the FL-50 flash. My depth of field was dramatic - everything came into sharp focus with the crosshairs in the middle.

Printing the images on 24" wide photo paper and a HP designjet drafting/photo printer gave the final satisfaction. This is one awesome lens. No zoom, but pictures so sharp and detailed with contrast unheard of before that when I run out to catch a good photo, this lens is normally on my camera. And I also have the 50-200 ED zoom. The 50 ED PRIME lens will outperform the 50 zoom under most occasions.

It's a starter lens, a quality lens (mid level in the OLY 3 tier quality system), a macro lens, and best of all a razor sharp lens that maintains contrast (you normally give up one for the other). There is a lot of glass inside this piece, and good glass at that. I advise against the f=35 mm macro lens, as it is in the LOW quality group from oly. If you need a 1:1 scale, consider this lens with the extention tube for a little more and you'll be close to 1:1 there.

Like all of the "quality" group of lenses in OLY's lens plan, this has a focus meter on it to tell you where you are focusing, or to aid in manual focusing. Mine spends most of its time on the camera - I'm sure you will enjoy printing photos from it as well. Shoot at F/10 and focus is almost not an issue at all in wide spaces. Inside, add the FL50 flash and shoot F/10 as well. You'll be happy with the outcome.

One last note about flashes - you'll eventually want the ring flash for macro work. Undocumented is that the ring flash includes 4 modeling lights with a 3 minute timer on them. To put the macro ring flash on the macro lens requires a ring flash adapter FR-1 available separately for about $95. It's bucks, I realize, but it does have a simple two prong bayonet mount to a ring cut into the lens - so removing the ring flash is a breeze. The ring flash (minus modeling lights) has a GN of 36 and is roughly equivalent to the FL-36, except that shadows are kept to an absolute minimum since the flash wraps around the lens. I use it for closeups and even modeling shots - a great lens/flash combo with the FR-1 adapter. Using the modeling lights you can keep the flash reflection out of the picture!

I don't know of any other way to say it. I cannot find any fault with this lens. It is tack sharp edge-to-edge, even in the far corners, even at f/2, especially close up. The bokeh is superb, it looks great and creamy smooth. It's also fast and just as good at f/2 as f/8 -- literally no difference in sharpness. Incredible.

It literally is a perfect lens.

Makes for great portraits (probably my favorite use for the lens) due to the 100mm equivalent focal length and the great depth-of-field control and appealing out-of-focus rendition.

Makes for great macros, for the same reasons but up close. Add the extension tube for true 1:1, otherwise 1:2 is great for most everything close other than "true macro."

My only complaint is that it's just a tad long for general use - 4/3 really needs a Zuiko 25mm normalish prime (as in, something cheaper than the Leica 25mm f/1.4, which is also an excellent lens) of the same quality as this lens.

But for what it is -- a 100mm-equivalent lens -- it is, without question, optically perfect. Don't even hesitate to buy it, you'll wish you had got it sooner.

(Edit: I know I have said nothing negative in this review, and that may lead you to think it's "unhelpful". So, for the record, the biggest problem with the lens is the focusing speed, which is a little sub-par, and makes a strange noise. It's not terrible, just sometimes gets in the way. Also, in low light, if you miss focus it can go all the way out to macro and back in before it finds it, as there is no focus limiter. Not a huge problem, just know how to focus on contrast or use MF in pitch black. That said, the most helpful thing I can say about the lens is that it's superb and a must-buy, sorry if that comes across as unhelpful ;-)

Among the finest lenses which Olympus produced for its OM manual focusing SLR system were its Zuiko 50mm f2 and 90mm f2 lenses. Both lenses earned lavish praise from critics and users, of whom many regarded these lenses as among the finest of their kind. Indeed, both lenses were compared favorably to the Leica R and Contax Zeiss 35mm SLR macro lenses. For example, in at least one review, I read that the 50mm lens was as fine a performer as the venerable Leica 50mm Summicron M lens, with excellent contrast and resolution at all apertures, especially wide open.

Now for its new digital E-series cameras, Olympus has introduced a 50mm f2 macro lens which follows in the wake of its legendary predecessors, offering this time ED glass for maximum contrast and resolution at all apertures. The June 2006 issue of Popular Photography has an exemplary review of this lens, noting that it is indeed a superlative performer, among the finest macro lenses currently available for digital SLRs. It also notes that the magnification ratio of this lens without an additional focusing tube is actually 1:1.6, NOT 1:2 as stated in the lens's manual. And since Olympus adheres to a 4:3 image ratio, then the equivalent focal length of this 50mm f2 lens for a 35mm film SLR camera is 90mm. Those interested in both macro photography and using a superb portrait lens for head-and-shoulder portraits, will find this 50mm lens an important addition to their Olympus E-series kit.

This macro is superb. At f2, it is bright enough for low light photography and portrait work. It is the sharpest lens in Olympus pro lineup. As all oly pro glass, it is sealed and built like a tank. The only negative point I can think of is that it will only take half life size macros (not 1:1), unless you get the ex-25 macro extender.

I use this lens on the E-500 & the E-1 and it's quickly become one of my favorites. Very sharp, small and light with incredible bokeh.

I'm not a macro enthusiast, so I can't speak to its macro capabilites (although I'd assume they are excellent), but I can say this is a wonderful portrait lens that consistently provides crystal clear sharp images. EDIT: I recently had an assignment for some macro pictures of steel wire cable - WOW - this lens has incredible sharpness/detail and performed flawlessly in macro use. I actually won a photo contest with one of the pictures I took with it. I've started to like this lens so much for it's all-around abilities that it barely leaves my camera.

Get one - you won't be disappointed!

I bought the E-Volt 500 kit with 2 lenses (medium and telephoto). I found that I'm mostly taking portrait photos, many indoors or in low light. The kit lenses are pretty good, but have a lowest aperture of f/3.5, and that's in their widest angle. Since you're usually going to want 40-50mm for people shots (especially if you want narrow depth of field - blurred background) you'll have to rely on a flash indoors. I also have the FL-36 flash, which is invaluable for those bar/restaurant parties, but you have to work hard to get a natural looking light (especially in a candle-light). The 50mm f/2 solves a lot of those problems, since shooting wide open (without flash) you'll get that natural looking light and a non-distracting background. If it's really dark, though, you'll still need the flash.
I think many people with the E-500 are in the same situation, they get the kit lenses, but grow out of them pretty fast. I find that the bigger aperture is worth the money. I find that I'm using the fixed focal length macro over my kit zoom lens. It's more work to frame, but the depth of field and sharpness are much better than the kit lens.
I was strongly considering the other 30mm (which is a lot cheaper), but I decided on the 50mm because (1) f/2 vs f/3.5 is a BIG difference and (2) 50mm gives you enough working room for most compositions. I highly recommend this lens, though it is pretty expensive for an amateur photographer, you're going to get a lot more out of it!!

First off, even though I only gave it 4 stars, it is the best lens I have ever touched, and if I lost or broke it today, well, I'd buy another one immediately. Many people describe this lens as "optically flawless" I am no expert on lenses, but I believe them. I have this and the two kit lenses with my e510. Forget the fact that this has awesome close focusing for a second here, take a picture of anything with either of the kit lenses at around 50 mm, now take that same picture with this lens. They are different, and it isn't just because this has a larger aperture, this applies to all apertures. I can't quantitatively explain it but this lens just produces pictures that are crisper, more lifelike, and well, better than the kit lenses. Since I got this lens for Christmas, it almost never leaves my camera, I often go on walks and leave my other two lenses at home.

That is the disclaimer, so why only 4 stars? For one, everyone else gave this 5 stars, so yet one more review of "perfect" in a pool of similar reviews doesn't help anyone much, but also because focusing is a bit slow. Olympus should really upgrade this lens and put a faster focusing motor in it, like the SWD. Focus in low light, even with f2, isn't much better than the kit lens- it still hunts (at least, it does on my e510). This isn't a big deal, especially as a lot of macro work should be done with manual focus anyways, but you should be aware of it before purchasing. Auto focus in good light is pretty quick and a bit noisy, auto focus in lower light hunts a bit, and auto focus in low light often doesn't work. Note- most macro lenses are criticized for slow focus, regardless of manufacturer- it is hard to make a lens auto focus to a few centimeters away. On the plus side- when it does lock focus it is nearly always dead on.

Now, onto macro- I see some complaints that this is only a 1:2 lens and thus isn't "true" macro. This simply is not an issue; it is nothing but mindless semantics and should not even be brought up in complaints! This is a superb lens that focuses extremely closely- enough said. If it really matters, get the extension tube and voila- "true" macro. Even with the (outlandishly priced at $100) extension tube, this is still cheaper than any comparable macro on the market for any other system (many would argue that this is a moot point as there simply isn't any comparable macro on the market at any price.)

One note on 4/3 system and depth of field (dof). The four thirds system inherently has a wider dof than other systems because of the 2x crop factor, instead of 1.5 or 1.6x in other systems (or 1x on full frame). This is good for macro work where you often want a broad dof. Macro shots at f2 can be interesting, but since distance also influences dof, you will have the eyes of a bug in focus and the body is out of focus, you have to step down to f10 or so for a broad enough dof at extremely close focusing distances to get an entire bug in focus. With other systems, you would have to step down even more to get the same dof.

Now does this mean that this won't work as a portrait lens (or another application where you want narrow dof) because olympus inherently has a broader dof? No, this has a very narrow dof at f2. Put it this way, at f2, if you focus on some one's eye, their other eye will often be out of focus if they aren't looking right at you. You can really isolate something in focus if you want to with this lens. Sure, you can get even less dof with a 50mm f2 from a different system, but more often than not- at f2 with this lens, you are already fighting for more depth of field, not less.

The slowish focusing is really the only down side of this lens, and it isn't a big deal, but I did expect a bit more for the price. That does not change the fact that this is closer to a perfect lens than I could hope for. I can't imagine anyone being dissatisfied with this lens. If you have only the kit lenses, you really owe it to your camera to get this lens.

People who aren't into macro should consider the 12-60 as well. It is $300 more and probably isn't quite as sharp, but apparently focuses very quickly and is a zoom lens. People who aren't into macro should also consider getting this lens and getting into macro.

This is an excellent lens and is compact and light for a macro lens. It can be used as a portrait lens and as a fast medium telephoto lens for low light photography, as well as a macro lens.

There is a very comprehensive review of this lens at this web page:
http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/oly-e/zd-50m.html

Some other reviewers have commented that this lens is not a true macro because its image magnification is 1:2, rather than the 1:1 of a so-called 'true' macro lens on a 35 mm film camera. Actually, this is not the case in practice, because the sensor of 4:3 cameras (such as the Olympus E-series digital SLRs) is half the size of a 35 mm film frame, so a magnification factor of 2x applies to images taken by the 4:3 camera when they are printed or viewed on a computer screen. Therefore when close-up images taken by a 4:3 camera with the Olympus 50 mm 1:2 macro lens are printed, you get a similar effect to close-up images taken by a 35 mm film camera with a 100 mm 1:1 macro lens.

I can remember wanting this lens SO bad when I saw the sample shots on Amazon. When I bought it, and started shooting with it, I found it was even better than I had thought. This is one of my sharpest lenses. And it's my fastest lens at f2.0. Macro shots are just incredible, and portrait shots are high-end. The saturation, balance, and contrast of this lens is just beautiful. I'm not a big fan of prime lenses (lenses that don't zoom) because it's annoying to have to move around to frame your shot. But the quality of this lens is so good that I don't mind the annoyance of a fixed focal point. If you only have the kit lens/lenses that came with your camera, this should probably be the first lens you invest in. First, because the quality is just off the charts. So much better than your kit lens that you may not want to use your kit lens ever again. Second, the price of the lens makes it pretty easy to add to your collection. A lot easier than the other lenses in the Zuiko lineup which are equally good, or better, but a lot more expensive. Third, no matter which lenses you start investing in, you'll eventually want to have a good macro lens in your lineup, for as long as you own your camera. So you'll likely get this lens at some point anyway...one way or another. On all levels this lens is really a smart buy. I've never used the 35mm macro lens, but I'd guess the 50mm is the better of the two. I hear more about it than I have ever heard of the 35mm. If you're looking into macro, save up for the 50mm.

The E-520 was my first dSLR (10 days ago) and the 50 mm f/2.0 was the first lens I put on it. Having just migrated, or upgraded, from a "bridge" camera (Panasonic FZ18), the whole setup just blew me away. I never thought I would like macro shooting as much as I am liking it (I was always a "zoom" person): I can actually see things through this lens, and on the computer afterwards, that I'd never noticed before. All the images were sharp as a tack, with wonderful contrast and color and a wealth of detail. I'd say that using this lens is all about enjoying photography, no matter what the user's level of expertise is. This may not be a pro's review -- nothing could be farther from that! --, but I hope it is useful for you.