What’s Your Preference?

doveq · #1 (**permalink**) 08-17-2010, 01:22 AM

Hey guys, I finally bought an old school lens and having played with it I am wondering whether I bought the ideal focal length for general purpose photography.

I purchased a 50mm 1.8 Zuiko OM lense along with a micro four thirds adapter for my panasonic GF1. It is awsome!

I am curious to know if 100mm (50mm x 2 crop factor) is an ideal focal length, or if I should purchase the 24mm 2.8 Zuiko OM which would be 48mm on my camera.

I have a few auto focus lenses, what I am looking for is the ideal MF focal length.

Thanks.
David

inkista · #2 (**permalink**) 08-17-2010, 02:13 AM

I think the question here is "ideal" for what purpose?

A 100/1.8 is a great portrait lens.

The OM 24/2.8 would be closer to "normal" on four-thirds, if that's what you mean, and it's the widest you can go and stay low cost. The 21mm lenses are pretty expensive, and the 18/3.5 is astronomically priced these days.

doveq · #3 (**permalink**) 08-17-2010, 02:27 AM

I happen to happen to have a 14-45 lumix, as well as a 20mm pancake.

I just had an ure to get a mf lens, and figurered i should get a focal length as "universal" as possible. I probably would have bought the 24mm if it wasnt so much more expensive. The asking price was $250 while i paid $100 for my 50mm with gf1 adapter.

I find it a little tight to shoot with indoors, but then again i find my 20mm (40mm) too wide at times.

inkista · #4 (**permalink**) 08-17-2010, 09:17 PM

Ah. See your 20mm f/1.7 pancake is your "universal" lens. The 50/1.8 is now your telephoto. It's good coverage, though.

The old school guideline was that when buying primes, you should get a set of "doubles". i.e., 24mm, 50mm, and 100mm would be one good usable set of primes. I think you picked a good focal length, and the OM 50/1.8 is one of the cheapest great lenses you can find.