Micro 4/3rds nifty fifty equivalent?

mikehiow

mikehiow

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Is the such a thing? ie. something that matches it on price and performance?

Are M43rds camera 1.6x crop like the lower end SLRs?

Essentially, I've ditched the SLR because it just seems too bulky to take around with me these days - I've lost count of the photo opportunities I've missed because of this.

I loved my 550D/50mm f/1.8 setup, so looking to replicate that in something a little more compact. It doesn't even have to be M43rds if there are other options.
 
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Thanks.

Is that what everyone keeps referring to as the pancake lens, or is this a broader term?

It looks like that may fit the bill, although a bit more expensive than I'd have liked.

Any idea on a cheap but half-decent camera to be aiming for?
 
The pancake is either the 14mm or 20mm. Both are small. Panasonic wise the G1 seems to go for around £100 on here. Plenty of good deals on the GF3 at the mo if you want a new 'compact' type.
 
20mm f1.7
25mm f1.4
25mm f0.95

Not cheap though!
 
mikehiow said:
I loved my 550D/50mm f/1.8 setup, so looking to replicate that in something a little more compact. It doesn't even have to be M43rds if there are other options.
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NEX? (1.5x crop)
30/3.5 Macro
30/2.8 Sigma coming
50/1.8 OSS

none will be as cheap as the nifty 50

You can also use loads of lenses via adapters (even Alpha mount with full AF if you go for the LA-EA2 adapter)
 
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How does the Olympus PL1 fair? These seem really cheap new?

Also are all 4/3 lenses fully compatible with all 4/3 cameras?
 
mikehiow said:
Is the such a thing? ie. something that matches it on price and performance?

Are M43rds camera 1.6x crop like the lower end SLRs?

Essentially, I've ditched the SLR because it just seems too bulky to take around with me these days - I've lost count of the photo opportunities I've missed because of this.

I loved my 550D/50mm f/1.8 setup, so looking to replicate that in something a little more compact. It doesn't even have to be M43rds if there are other options.
Click to expand...

To replicate a 50 1.8 on your 550D with something on 4/3rds format to match both the field of view and also the depth of field at f/1.8, you would need a 40mm f/1.44 lens.
 
Roadkill_6mm said:
The Olympus E-PL1 is 'micro' 4/3rds, not 4/3rds - there's a difference (just to confuse you!) I believe Oly 4/3rds can be used on micro 4/3rds but will require an adapter.

Neil
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Sorry, I meant will all micro 4/3rds lenses fit all micro 4/3rds cameras?
 
mikehiow said:
Sorry, I meant will all micro 4/3rds lenses fit all micro 4/3rds cameras?
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Yes, but 'regular' 4/3rds lenses on Micro 4/3rds need an adapter (and you can't do it the other way around).

The format (sensor) is the same size and the mount is the same, but the back focus (distance from back of lens to camera) is much shorter on Micro 4/3rds. All the adapter does is fill that gap with a hollow tube, but it also has all the lens-to-camera couplings.
 
No really a nifty fifty direct equivalent but I do find my 14mm a great walkaround lens. I think the 20mm with it's faster aperture would be even better. If you are looking for a walkaround type lens then I think you would be happy with either the 14mm or 20 mm.

You could always get an adapter and use some old manual focus lenses that are cheap these days.
 
I'd look at three options depending upon how much you are willing to pay, how compact you want the camera and lens to be and lastly if you need AF or not.

The first option is the most compact option, a GFx/Pen with 20mm f1.7. With this option you get the most compact option and AF but you don't get a VF unless you buy an add on one.

The second option is a mini SLR like Gx camera, not a lot bigger than the GFx/Pen type cameras and you get a built in VF.

Thirdly, I think that the Voigtlander 25mm f0.95 is worth a look if you can live without AF. If you can you'll get the same FoV as you'd get with a 50mm on full frame and an aperture that beats what you can do with a 50mm f1.8 on full frame.
 
mikehiow said:
Is the such a thing? ie. something that matches it on price and performance?
...
I loved my 550D/50mm f/1.8 setup, so looking to replicate that in something a little more compact. It doesn't even have to be M43rds if there are other options.
Click to expand...

Are you particularly wedded to the field of view you get with a 50mm on the Canon? If so, you would need a (50*1.60) / 2 = 40mm to get the equivalent FoV on (micro) Four Thirds.

There aren't many 40mm lenses around and none designed specifically for the m4/3 system. However, if you are happy with manual focus, you could try the original Pentax 40mm/2.8 pancake. Not the current DA Limited one, but the original M lens. You will be able to get one, with a K-mount to m4/3 adaptor for under £100.

It was never the greatest lens as it was designed for compactness and affordability rather than sharpness (for that you want the 50mm/1.4) but it should make a fine lens on a compact m4/3 body. There's a review here. I intend to give this a go when I get around to buying the K-m4/3 adaptor.

You could also look at the manual focus Voigtlander 40mm Ultron which is faster (f2) but 3-4 times the price.

If you don't mind something a little longer, the Olympus 45/1.8 is reported to be a very fine lens indeed. It would be more like a 90mm-equivalent than your 80mm-equivalent fifty on the Canon.

I can highly recommend the Olympus E-PL3 for the money. If you get it before end of Feb, you can get it body only for £279 after cashback, which is an absolute steal!

Personally, I'm going to get the Lumix 20/1.7 as the 40mm-equivalent is just perfect for me (I also use the Pentax 43mm on my film bodies).

You could look at the Sony NEX system too, but it has the same size sensor as your Canon and although the bodies are generally very compact, the lenses tend to be bulkier and heavier than Micro Four Thirds.

Oh, and if you (like me) find it difficult working without a viewfinder, you should wait a couple of weeks to see what the rumoured Olympus OM-D will be like.

Ultimately if you're buying a prime lens, it depends what you're shooting.
 
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Taking into account crop factor only, on a DSLR ( DX format) a nifty fifty will have the equivalent of ( about) a 75mm field of view. The 45 mm lenses you mentioned on a m43 camera with its 2 x crop factor will give you the equivalent FOV of 90mm. Quite a difference and thats not taking into account the differing apertures.
The Olympus E-PL1 is a bargain at the moment but even better is the E-PL2. No viewfinder unless you buy the add on but both have built in flash, unlike the E-P1 and 2.
Allan
 
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