Author Topic: M.Zuiko 40-150mm ED lens with the VF-1 optical viewfinder (Read 2024 times)

Azimuth · « **on:** March 09, 2011, 06:09:05 PM »

Hello,

Is it possible to use this lens while manually focusing through the VF-1 viewfinder?

What challenges would this present ?

Thanks,
Ash

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2011, 06:14:40 PM »

You are using an 4/3>m4/3 adapter?

Azimuth · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2011, 06:22:55 PM »

Quote from: M5-User on March 09, 2011, 06:14:40 PM

You are using an 4/3>m4/3 adapter?

Hi, I'm not actually using anything yet, just planning to purchase an E-P1.

I'm referring to this lens, specifically: http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-261506-M40-150mm-f4-0-5-6-Camera/dp/B00492EPC4/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1299723878&sr=8-18

And the potential to manually focus the lens while using the VF-1 and the lcd screen turned off.

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2011, 07:18:47 PM »

Quote from: Azimuth on March 09, 2011, 06:22:55 PM

Quote from: M5-User on March 09, 2011, 06:14:40 PM
You are using an 4/3>m4/3 adapter?
Hi, I'm not actually using anything yet, just planning to purchase an E-P1.

I'm referring to this lens, specifically: http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-261506-M40-150mm-f4-0-5-6-Camera/dp/B00492EPC4/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1299723878&sr=8-18

And the potential to manually focus the lens while using the VF-1 and the lcd screen turned off.

OK, No you don't need an adapter, and you should have no problem use the VF-1 finder to manually focus... But, it will AF if you prefer.

voyager · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2011, 08:12:12 PM »

Are you SURE you're talking about the VF-1? The one that comes with the Olympus 17mm? The VF-2 is the electronic viewfinder.

traveler_101 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2011, 08:21:06 PM »

Quote from: Azimuth on March 09, 2011, 06:09:05 PM

Is it possible to use this lens while manually focusing through the VF-1 viewfinder?

Hi, there is a bit of a confusion here. The VF-1 finder is usable for one FL (focal length) only--that of the 17mm lens (though I use it with the 20mm and fits that pretty well); this is because it is not a through-the-lens finder. Actually the VF-1 is similar to the auxiliary viewfinders on old style rangefinder cameras, where the focusing occurs through the rangefinder and the viewfinder is used solely to frame the shot.

I works exactly like an old RF auxiliary finder on the E-P1 as well: focusing and all manual functional controls of the camera are on the LCD screen, and then the shot can be framed with the viewfinder. In short the VF-1 cannot be used to manually focus any lens and its FL is not compatible with the 40-150 lens. By the way, these focus by wire modern lenses that Olympus and Panasonic manufacture are not good for manual focus anyway. It is possible but there is hardly any resistance when you turn the lens--a truly unsatisfying experience.

The E-P1 is a great little camera matched up with the 17/2.8 or 20/1.7 lenses and the VF-1. I use AF with the 20/1.7 lens. You could certainly use the 40-150 as an AF lens on the camera. You can also acquire legacy lenses and focus on the LCD screen. I have the Olympus OM 50/1.8 and 100/2.8 manual focus lenses. They work well enough and I've gotten some nice shots, but not in all conditions (sometimes it can be hard to see the screen and this may be a big issue depending on where you live).

Either live those limitations on the E-P1, or get the E-P2 with the VF-2 which is an electronic viewfinder that sees exactly what the lens sees--a mini LCD screen; and if you go this route why not get legacy prime lenses? In that case manual focus will be a pleasure.

Em5 Pete · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2011, 08:37:47 PM »

What do I know, I shoot with Panasonic G1.... :-[
I will now go sit in the corner in "Time-Out"

Azimuth · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2011, 09:19:21 PM »

Thanks for the help, you have cleared up a lot of my confusion!

I suppose that it might also be possible to buy a legacy lens with a matching viewfinder. Hmm.

traveler_101 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 09, 2011, 11:06:30 PM »

Quote from: Azimuth on March 09, 2011, 09:19:21 PM

Thanks for the help, you have cleared up a lot of my confusion!

I suppose that it might also be possible to buy a legacy lens with a matching viewfinder. Hmm.

Good attitude . . . there is something adventurous about finding a way to make the E-P1 work as you like it. Sounds as of you already have the E-P1 in hand?

Yes, you can buy viewfinders for specific prime lenses (not zooms obviously). They are hard to get and often very expensive (i.e. Leica expensive) and the quality can really vary. The VF-1 is a nice "brightline" viewer which in effect gives you two frames--inside the white line for the 17 or 20mm, and the whole viewfinder for a 15. So I use mine with two lenses, the Panasonic 20/1.7 and a Voigtlander 15mm/4.5 (Leica Screw Mount) RF type manual focus lens. The VF-1 is inexpensive, available now for $59 on ebay; I paid $85 a year ago.

The 15mm MF lens I bought came with a viewfinder but that is good only for "full frame" 35mm cameras not 4/3. On the E-P1, the 15 lens gives you 30mm equivalent, pretty close to the "classic" 28 degree wide angle lens, but arguably not different enough from the Panasonic 20 which is my main lens. The Voigtlander is such a beautiful little metal lens, though, and I am tempted into using it more frequently than I might otherwise.

The problem comes in the long lenses. I don't have a viewfinder for my 50 and 100 Olympus OM lenses. And 100 is difficult to hold steady and see the LCD screen at the same time, but I am getting better at it. If I were doing it over again, and in consideration of the sterling reviews of the 40-150 out there, I might go that way. Staples has been running off and on sales of the 40-150 and some guys have picked it up for $109 which is insane--and less than I paid for the legacy 100/2.8.

Of course there are the "intangibles": my OM lenses are pieces of workmanship, nice solid metal lenses. The 40-150 is probably quite a bit like the 14-42 "kit" lens, plastic and not a pleasure to work with.

One other thing, you could look into a FSU rotating viewfinder. The Soviet factories produced a Zeiss knock-off, rotary auxiliary viewfinder that gives several FLs. It was a cult thing in Japan when the E-P1 came out and young photags there began to realize that the E-P1 is kind of electronic RF camera. If you are interested I can send you a link to a reputable dealer of these in New York City.

traveler_101 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2011, 11:08:14 PM »

Quote from: M5-User on March 09, 2011, 08:37:47 PM

What do I know, I shoot with Panasonic G1.... :-[
I will now go sit in the corner in "Time-Out"

One thing, M5 . . . you obviously know 100 times more than I do about photography so making a mistake about a camera you are not familiar with is not of import.

M.Zuiko 40-150mm ED lens with the VF-1 optical viewfinder