Author Topic: Using manual lenses on Olympus EP1 (Read 4199 times)

jvicinanza · « **on:** May 09, 2010, 12:24:50 PM »

Hello, Noob here having just got my PEN and connected my 35mm Leica Summicron via the Novoflex adapter.
What do I do next? What settings do I need to make on the camera (manual mode, apature priority etc)?
Any tips for this beginner will be gratefully received.
Jason

RustedChrome · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2010, 02:17:23 PM »

I generally just set it on Aperture priority mode, manual focus and set the focal length in the IS menu. (if you're using IS)

I also usually have the lcd set in the mode with the green box that zooms in when you press the center button (forgot if that mode has a name)

This is on an EP-1 but I assume the others are similar.

But really you can just set it on "A" and start shooting after setting the aperture and focus on the lens. Enjoy!

jvicinanza · « **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2010, 01:09:08 AM »

Thank you. This approach seems to work well for me. The focussing is not the fastest when using the elec. preview but I guess if you get the focus right and have a higher Fstop then you are pretty much OK for multiple shots of the same subject as long as it does not move too much.

One question. As the lens does not have any communication with the camera how does it (the camera) know what F stop and thus what shutter speed to use?

Thanks again

Jason

RustedChrome · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2010, 03:07:07 AM »

The camera does not know what the f stop is but it reads the light hitting the sensor. On a MF lens, when you change the aperture, it takes effect immediately unlike the AF lenses where it stays wide open until you press the shutter.

peterb666 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2010, 06:52:16 PM »

The general process for using manual focus lenses is:

1. Have the aperture wide open (e.g. f/2 or 1.4 etc depending on the lens.
2. Focus the lens.
3. Stop down to the aperture you want to use. If on Aperture priority, in most lighting, this will result in the correct shutter speed. If shooting in M, then pick the appropriate shutter speed.
4. Click!

You are right, it isn't fast as you don't have automatic diaprham control so the lens cannot automatically stop down when you press the shutter button.

Centauri27 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2010, 01:41:08 PM »

Also, when you use the magnifier to help you manually focus, turning the vertical scroll wheel (the one by your thumb) switches the magnification between 7X and 10X. And be sure to leave image stabilization on, at IS1 (unless you're using a tripod). The one great thing about the EP-1 is that any old lens become image stabilized!

cosinaphile · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2010, 09:41:12 PM »

image stab for any lens is the ticket!

Olympionike · « **Reply #7 on:** October 22, 2011, 09:52:19 AM »

Hi,

The amount of light incident on the sensor is measured by the sensor itself and some corresponding electronics. According to this measurement the shutter speed is set.
This is independant of the lens and basically needs no communication between body and lens.
If a lens with communication link is used, the shutter speed setting in automatic mode and iris preset mode is according to the iris setting, following a factory algorythm for best picture result.
This is the reason,why manual lenses should be used only in iris preset mode to get automatically good pictures.
Of course you may experiment also with shutter preset mode and vary the manual iris setting. Bad pictures can easily be deleted !

Using manual lenses on Olympus EP1