Olympus OM Zuiko Lenses

[Jon McCoy]

Given that the Olympus' 4/3rds Zuiko system is pretty much out of the question (don't get me started on the digital focus ring - it breathes heavier than a dirty phone caller)... Where does the OM Zuiko system stand?

I'm not sure how many out there have OM Zuiko lenses, but I imagine those that do, would be interested in using them on a Red.

If Nikkor's and Canon's are viable, I can't see why Zuiko's aren't... Mechanically, the focus rings have little breathing, the aperture is mechanical...

So, the question I guess, is how do we test the viability of a lense system on Red? Is it literally a case of waiting for the camera to arrive, and getting a mount custom-made (fingers crossed the image is good)?

[Jon McCoy]

I'll also add, I can't find an OM to P/L mount, though I've seen OM to virtually everything else - both "manufactured" and "custom" machined adaptors...

[Dominic Jones]

You won't find an OM to PL adapter - you will have to go with either a Canon or Nikon (can you get OM to Nikon?? Canon would probably be the best bet) mount and get an adapter to that.

Should be perfectly useable, I have an old OM kit (that I never use any more!) and the Zuiko lenses are lovely...

[Jon McCoy]

What would stacking the OM <-> Canon <-> PL adaptor's do to the focal length? Any way of working it out with existing adaptor and lens specifications?

[Jon McCoy]

A bit of research...

P/L
Flange: 52.00 mm (51.97 mm for the Arri SR high speed models)
Diameter: 54.00 mm
Fit: Positive Locking Bayonet

OM Zuiko
Flange: 46.00mm
Diameter: ? (will find out)
Fit: Positive Locking Bayonet

So, the adaptor will need to be 6mm (or within tolerance to ensure the new flange depth is 52mm), and should provide 1:1 focal length...

Interestingly, the Zuiko Digital to OM Zuiko adaptor is 7.34mm... So, it can be engineered, as the OM lenses fitting clears the original flange, so the OM can be wider or narrower than the P/L without causing a problem.

I'm posting this, rather than just keeping it in a note book, in the unlikely event that this is remotely useful for Olympus lense owners. And since it looks like I'll be getting the adaptor custom made, it may also serve as a nice cheap backup option for those of you with OM primes that are not being used...

[Jon McCoy]

Hmm... Things seem to have changed, with the announcement of the Nikkor adaptor (or rather, with the first pictures). Not to mention, with the Canon adaptor, and a Canon <-> OM plate, 1:1 focal length is possible. I suppose the fallout there, is that we can use Canon lenses too (though I'd prefer to use Nikkor's second to OM). But at least, the cheap $50 option is to use the Canon adaptor, and try out OM lenses with the Canon <-> OM plate. If it's fab, and makes you all jealous, then a custom OM adaptor could be possible.

And I'm probably just talking to myself here, but what the hey?

[jbeale]

I have a couple of OM-1 bodies and some lenses to go with it, but I think there hasn't been much interest in an OM mount for Red because it's not a system that most people are currently using.

[Jon McCoy]

I have a couple of OM-1 bodies and some lenses to go with it, but I think there hasn't been much interest in an OM mount for Red because it's not a system that most people are currently using.

True...

With all the OM glass I've got, and considering how gorgeous it is, it seems a waste to go off and buy another brand of SLR lense. It seems that there's a Canon <-> OM adaptor that retains 1:1 focal length, and allows for infinity focusing. For $50, a bargain for anybody with a handful of fast Zuikos and the Red Canon adaptor.

Anyhow where's the fun in going with the flow?