Ray,
For many years the only normal lens I used was a SC 50/1.4. I have always
been happy with the results, particularly with B&W. Maybe it was so nice
because it seemed to lighten the shadow areas somewhat (lower contrast). I
now have MC versions of both the 1.8 and 1.4 but I still have the SC 1.4
too.
Gregg
Ray Moth asked:
> Dear all,
>
> I'd be interested to learn of people's experience with Zuiko single
> coated (SC) 50/1.4 lenses. I bought one recently; it was a bit tatty,
> with a (removable) thumb print on the rear element and a loose rubber
> focus grip, which I glued in place. Mechanically and optically it
> appears undamaged. Serial number is 6xxx,xxx so it's definitely SC.
>
> I haven't used it much yet, so I don't have enough results to be able
> to judge its performance for myself, but I'm beginning to regret buying
> it after seeing Gary Reese's test results: the performance of this lens
> seems to be less than respectable. I quote the information below from
> Gary's site, with apologies to Gary, to save people having to look it
> up for themselves:
>
> 50mm f/1.4 Zuiko (single-coated)
> OM-1 with mirror lockup
> Vignetting = C
> Distortion = slight pincushion
> Aperture Center Corner
> f/1.4 D C-
> f/2 C- C
> f/2.8 C B-
> f/4 B- B
> f/5.6 B B
> f/8 B+ B
> f/11 A- B
> f/16 A- B+
>
> Gary says:
>
> D = "Smudged" with obvious image defects in even small degrees of
> enlargement, not suitable for most users (only 3.5x5").
> C = "Soft" images that cannot withstand much enlargement - suitable for
> snapshot quality images (5x7").
>
> The resolution of the SC model seems to be acceptable only at f/4 or
> smaller, with pincussion distortion to boot! People buy is lens for
> low-light photography, which means the performance wide open is
> particularly important - otherwise, they might just as well buy the
> 50/1.8 and save money. I am amazed that Olympus could have marketed
> such a poor lens as the SC 1.4. I should say that, in comparison, the
> more modern MC model seems excellent from Gary's test: all A and B
> ratings and no distortion.
>
> I know the usual wisdom is: "Don't worry - the differences bewtween SC
> and MC aren't that great." However, in this case it would appear that
> they are very significant. So, has anyone any comments?
>
> Regards,
>
>
> =====
> Ray
>
> "The trouble with resisting temptation is
> you never know when you'll get another chance!"
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Get Yahoo! Mail ? Free email you can access from anywhere!
> http://mail.yahoo.com/
>
> < This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
> < For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
> < Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
>
>
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
|