50 mm Lens Comparisons - OM 50f1.4 versus 50f2

[Oly5050]

Did a test of sharpness and IQ for the 50 mm f/2 versus the OM 50 mm f/1.4 at f2 and f1.4, comparing their performances at wide open and at f/2.

Setup :

2 wireless flash M settings as shown in figure below
E3 mounted on tripod
Antishock = 2 sec
IS = Off
Remote control cable
Shutter speed fixed at 1/500
Aperture set at maximum wide open (ranging from 1.4, 2, 2.8)











All photos above taken by N82 Nokia Camera Phone except for 4th one.

[Oly5050]

RESULTS

OM 50 mm f1.4 at f1.4 (Manual focus)




OM 50 mm f1.4 at f2 (Manual focus)




50 mm f2 Macro at f2 (Auto S focus)

[Oly5050]

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION


Bokeh
It would appear that the 50 mm f2 lens has got a nicer bokeh compared to the OM 50 mm f1.4 at both f1.4 and f2.

Central Sharpness
In terms of sharpness and IQ at the central focus point (LENS HOOD words), the order is as listed with the best on top :

1. OM 50 mm f1.4 at f2
2. 50 mm f2 at f2
3. OM 50 mm f1.4 at f1.4

Edge or non-central Sharpness
In terms of sharpness and IQ at the edge (14 18 words - on zoom ring AND red dot), the 50 mm f2 beats the OM 50 mm f1.4 flat :

1. 50 mm f2 at f2
2. OM 50 mm f1.4 at f2
3. OM 50 mm f1.4 at f1.4

Some of the limitations of this project is that both lens are used and may have minor optical defects that are not grossly evident.

Another point is that manual focusing on the OM 50 mm f1.4 using the E3 is actually not that difficult to achieve. I managed to get the MF shots in the first try without having to repeat the shots. Of course I took great care and time to get the manual focus right.

If u guys pick up anything else from the images, feel free to chip in.

[theITguy]

The OM 1.4 is better IMO as a portrait lens, coz it is softer. But it also has a "halo" effect being more prominent compared to the 50/2?

How different are the control in manual focusing? That will also determine if it is useful as a portrait lens on manual focus use.

[The Blackhole]

Well done... well explained. Thanks a lot.

[coffee3in1]

Appreciate the effect. Thanks.

[pinholeview]

Nice work. I personally prefer the bokeh of the 50f2. However, problem with the 50f2 as portrait lens is the absence of focus limiter despite the added Macro range, so on occasions the AF hunting led to missed shots.

I think another consideration is whether you prefer the truly-analog focusing ring of the OM Z lens or the more (IMHO) disconnected feel of the manual focusing on 50f2.

My 2-cents, cheers

[r0n1n]

In terms of sharpness, I give the rankings below based on my newbie eyes:

1. 50mm f2 macro (being the sharpest)
2. OM 50 f1.4 @ f2
3. OM 50 f1.4 @ f1.4

I'm not sure about the last 2, but isn't it that f1.4 should be sharper than f2 ? or is it just me?

OT: nice set of lens you got there , if ever you decide to let go of your 12-60, lemme know

[nsalman]

Wah the n82 pic not bad eh?

[Oly5050]

Thanks guys for all your appreciative words. Yah...the N82 5MP camera is actually quite capable. But there are limitations...eg. slow to shoot and slow to reshoot and slow to focus.

[SeineRiver]

Originally Posted by r0n1n In terms of sharpness, I give the rankings below based on my newbie eyes: 1. 50mm f2 macro (being the sharpest) 2. OM 50 f1.4 @ f2 3. OM 50 f1.4 @ f1.4 I'm not sure about the last 2, but isn't it that f1.4 should be sharper than f2 ? or is it just me? OT: nice set of lens you got there , if ever you decide to let go of your 12-60, lemme know

No f1.4 should not be sharper than f2 because at wide open, normally the image is softer. The nice thing of the 50mm f1.4 is that you have room to step it down to f2 and achieve really sharp image.

[r0n1n]

Originally Posted by SeineRiver No f1.4 should not be sharper than f2 because at wide open, normally the image is softer. The nice thing of the 50mm f1.4 is that you have room to step it down to f2 and achieve really sharp image.

i see, i was under the impression that image tends to be sharper at higher aperture (i.e f4 vs f2). so i thought comparing f2 with f1.4 will hold true as well. thanks for the info and i'll keep that in mind

by the way, my ranking was based on the 14 18 wording, not the lens hood wording. so I was thinking of the central sharpness even though I'm looking at the edges...my bad

[Oly5050]

Found this great lens review website lenstip.com. They did a comparison of the ZD 50 f2 and the OM 50f1.8. Note that there are many versions of the OM 50 and the one that I tested was the f1.4 version. In any case, the results should interest us all.

Central Sharpness

Quote: The result of the frame centre duel between the two tested lenses is presented on the graph above. As we wrote in the ZD 50 mm f/2.0 Macro test, its performance can be described only as sensationally good. Even at the maximum relative aperture we get brilliant sharpness – the MTF values reach over 44 lpmm. The older lens gives in to the new and the difference is the most pronounced exactly at the maximum aperture. The old OM reaches there at most a decent 31 lpmm level. Fortunately, on stopping down the situation ameliorates quickly – by f/2.8 we get the result reaching almost 46 lpmm so only 4 lpmm less than the new ZD 50 mm f/2.0 Macro lens. Starting with f/4.0, its really hard to distinguish between the shots from the old and the new lens.

Edge Sharpness

Quote: It turns out that the difference is huge indeed as the older lens fares much worse than the new. At the maximum aperture the difference is above 15 lpmm and it decreases to almost 11 lpmm by f/2.8. By f/4.0 both lenses perform equally well but still you can see the 4 lpmm advantage of the new over the old. Only using f/5.6 and higher makes pictures from both lenses hard to distinguish.

Note that the OM lenses really do badly wide open. This will be a major disadvantage for those who may want to shoot wide open for low light situations. But at higher apertures, they seem to do just slightly better than the ZD.

So on the E3, you would be better off spending your money on the ZD 50 f2 instead of the OM 50 f1.8. Also, u dun need adaptor and u do not have to depend on MF which I have learnt is a little harder on the Olympus viewfinder.

[shaoken]

I prefer the results of the 50mm F2 lens..
Just don't know why..