Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Telephoto Macro ED Lens for E1, E300 & E500 Digital SLR Cameras

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Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Telephoto Macro ED Lens for E1, E300 & E500 Digital SLR Cameras
	Manufacturer: Olympus Customer Rating:   List Price: $599.00 Sale Price: $444.95 Availibility: Usually ships in 24 hours Free Shipping Available Available On:

Product Description

One of the brightest Zuiko digital lenses is the Olympus 50mm f/2.0 medium macro lens. Offering an equivalent to 100mm on a 35mm camera, the lens boasts a maximum magnification ratio of 0.52x along with a minimum focusing distance of 9.45 inches, letting you get nice and close to your subject. The extra-low-dispersion (ED) glass element, meanwhile, reduces chromatic aberrations to deliver superior image quality with high resolution and good contrast. Add an EX-25 extension tube and you can focus to approximately 1x, equivalent to 2x on a 35mm camera. All Olympus lenses carry a one-year warranty.

Specifications

• Focal length: 50mm
• Maximum aperture: f/2.0
• Lens construction: 11 elements in 10 groups, including 1 ED glass element
• Angle of view: 24 degrees
• Closest focusing distance: 9.45 inches
• Maximum image magnification: 0.52x
• Minimum field size: 33.3 x 25mm
• Number of blades: 7
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• Filter size: 52mm
• Tele converter: EC-14
• Extension tube: EX-25
• Lens hood: LH-55
• Lens cap: LC-52
• Lens case: LSC-0814
• Dimensions: 2.8 inches in diameter and 2.4 inches long
• Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Warranty: 1 year

Product Details

• Specially treated to shed water droplets, and engineered to withstand the rigorous demands of professional use
• Designed to capitalize on the design advantages of the OLYMPUS Four Thirds System
• Large f/2.0 aperture, with minimum weight and bulk
• 50mm range -- equivalent to 100mm in conventional 35mm photography
• For use with the OLYMPUS E-1 and other Four Thirds Series Digital SLR Cameras, as specified

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Customer Reviews

Defines a near perfect MTF graph for lens quality

Review Date: October 29, 2006

Reviewer: HMMWV, santa clara, CA USA

Before purchasing this lens you should read some literature. You don't need to be a lens expert - but know what "MTF" means. MTF is modulation transfer function. It is a qualty by which lenses are judged. The more linear the plot, the better the odds you've bought a winner. Olympus and Cannon both publish their MTF plots of their "BETTER" quality lenses. They don't publish the plots of the "included in the box" lenses. For good reason. You can analyze them on a machine if you have a lab and discover they resemble a rollercoaster and not a horizontal line like you would prefer. Google MTF LENS modulation transfer function and you'll be on your way - then visit OLY's website and click on the MTF curves on this lens. You'll see why it is so well thought of. Now let's talk Zoom. Remember your old 35mm camera. If you wanted a closeup, you walked towards the person. A wide angle meant walking backwards, mindful of the pool, traffic, etc. The zoom lens eliminated some of this to the extent of its focal length. This is not a zoom lens. It is called a PRIME lens. PRIME = opposite of ZOOM. It's like that old friend on your first 35mm camera. But with a little under the hood. This is called a macro lens. That does not mean it only can shoot closeups. It will focus from 6" to infinity. For $35 or so you can buy a 3 piece set of magnifiers from Hoya or Tiffen - they screw on like filters but magnify the image in 1, 2, and 4 diopter power. Like using a loupe to view a stone, they help you see the fine detail. The microprinting in the new $20 bill is easy to photograph with this lens. You can see things not visable to the naked eye with it. Finally - as I mentioned the focus does cover close up to infinity like any good lens (just unscrew those magnifiers used to photo your stamp collection). But you will see that while most lenses (in meters) will have a readout of 1, 2, 5, 9, 15, 25, infinity in meters - this lens starts way down at 0.22 m (22 cm!) - the next number is about 0.24 m. The point is there is a wide range of focus space down close to the lens below a meter, then 1, 2, 3 meters. For closeups this can't be beat. This is not to say you can't use this lens like old'faithful on your first 35mm camera. I've shot entire photoshoots with this just stepping back a couple times to frame the shot how I wanted it. I also switch to aperature mode (A) on the Oly Evolt and stopped down the lens to F10 outside or with the FL-50 flash. My depth of field was dramatic - everything came into sharp focus with the crosshairs in the middle. Printing the images on 24" wide photo paper and a HP designjet drafting/photo printer gave the final satisfaction. This is one awesome lens. No zoom, but pictures so sharp and detailed with contrast unheard of before that when I run out to catch a good photo, this lens is normally on my camera. And I also have the 50-200 ED zoom. The 50 ED PRIME lens will outperform the 50 zoom under most occasions. It's a starter lens, a quality lens (mid level in the OLY 3 tier quality system), a macro lens, and best of all a razor sharp lens that maintains contrast (you normally give up one for the other). There is a lot of glass inside this piece, and good glass at that. I advise against the f=35 mm macro lens, as it is in the LOW quality group from oly. If you need a 1:1 scale, consider this lens with the extention tube for a little more and you'll be close to 1:1 there. Like all of the "quality" group of lenses in OLY's lens plan, this has a focus meter on it to tell you where you are focusing, or to aid in manual focusing. Mine spends most of its time on the camera - I'm sure you will enjoy printing photos from it as well. Shoot at F/10 and focus is almost not an issue at all in wide spaces. Inside, add the FL50 flash and shoot F/10 as well. You'll be happy with the outcome. One last note about flashes - you'll eventually want the ring flash for macro work. Undocumented is that the ring flash includes 4 modeling lights with a 3 minute timer on them. To put the macro ring flash on the macro lens requires a ring flash adapter FR-1 available separately for about $95. It's bucks, I realize, but it does have a simple two prong bayonet mount to a ring cut into the lens - so removing the ring flash is a breeze. The ring flash (minus modeling lights) has a GN of 36 and is roughly equivalent to the FL-36, except that shadows are kept to an absolute minimum since the flash wraps around the lens. I use it for closeups and even modeling shots - a great lens/flash combo with the FR-1 adapter. Using the modeling lights you can keep the flash reflection out of the picture!

Simply a perfect lens

Review Date: October 29, 2007

Reviewer: Tristan Harward, Boston, MA United States

I don't know of any other way to say it. I cannot find any fault with this lens. It is tack sharp edge-to-edge, even in the far corners, even at f/2, especially close up. The bokeh is superb, it looks great and creamy smooth. It's also fast and just as good at f/2 as f/8 -- literally no difference in sharpness. Incredible. It literally is a perfect lens. Makes for great portraits (probably my favorite use for the lens) due to the 100mm equivalent focal length and the great depth-of-field control and appealing out-of-focus rendition. Makes for great macros, for the same reasons but up close. Add the extension tube for true 1:1, otherwise 1:2 is great for most everything close other than "true macro." My only complaint is that it's just a tad long for general use - 4/3 really needs a Zuiko 25mm normalish prime (as in, something cheaper than the Leica 25mm f/1.4, which is also an excellent lens) of the same quality as this lens. But for what it is -- a 100mm-equivalent lens -- it is, without question, optically perfect. Don't even hesitate to buy it, you'll wish you had got it sooner. (Edit: I know I have said nothing negative in this review, and that may lead you to think it's "unhelpful". So, for the record, the biggest problem with the lens is the focusing speed, which is a little sub-par, and makes a strange noise. It's not terrible, just sometimes gets in the way. Also, in low light, if you miss focus it can go all the way out to macro and back in before it finds it, as there is no focus limiter. Not a huge problem, just know how to focus on contrast or use MF in pitch black. That said, the most helpful thing I can say about the lens is that it's superb and a must-buy, sorry if that comes across as unhelpful ;-)

Quite Possibly the Best Medium Telephoto Macro Lens for a Digital SLR

Review Date: May 9, 2006

Reviewer: John Kwok, New York, NY USA

Among the finest lenses which Olympus produced for its OM manual focusing SLR system were its Zuiko 50mm f2 and 90mm f2 lenses. Both lenses earned lavish praise from critics and users, of whom many regarded these lenses as among the finest of their kind. Indeed, both lenses were compared favorably to the Leica R and Contax Zeiss 35mm SLR macro lenses. For example, in at least one review, I read that the 50mm lens was as fine a performer as the venerable Leica 50mm Summicron M lens, with excellent contrast and resolution at all apertures, especially wide open. Now for its new digital E-series cameras, Olympus has introduced a 50mm f2 macro lens which follows in the wake of its legendary predecessors, offering this time ED glass for maximum contrast and resolution at all apertures. The June 2006 issue of Popular Photography has an exemplary review of this lens, noting that it is indeed a superlative performer, among the finest macro lenses currently available for digital SLRs. It also notes that the magnification ratio of this lens without an additional focusing tube is actually 1:1.6, NOT 1:2 as stated in the lens's manual. And since Olympus adheres to a 4:3 image ratio, then the equivalent focal length of this 50mm f2 lens for a 35mm film SLR camera is 90mm. Those interested in both macro photography and using a superb portrait lens for head-and-shoulder portraits, will find this 50mm lens an important addition to their Olympus E-series kit.

Sharp, sharp. Did I mention sharp?

Review Date: April 5, 2006

Reviewer: M. Lo,

This macro is superb. At f2, it is bright enough for low light photography and portrait work. It is the sharpest lens in Olympus pro lineup. As all oly pro glass, it is sealed and built like a tank. The only negative point I can think of is that it will only take half life size macros (not 1:1), unless you get the ex-25 macro extender.

Can't go wrong with this prime!

Review Date: February 18, 2006

Reviewer: AJS, Denver, CO

I use this lens on the E-500 & the E-1 and it's quickly become one of my favorites. Very sharp, small and light with incredible bokeh. I'm not a macro enthusiast, so I can't speak to its macro capabilites (although I'd assume they are excellent), but I can say this is a wonderful portrait lens that consistently provides crystal clear sharp images. EDIT: I recently had an assignment for some macro pictures of steel wire cable - WOW - this lens has incredible sharpness/detail and performed flawlessly in macro use. I actually won a photo contest with one of the pictures I took with it. I've started to like this lens so much for it's all-around abilities that it barely leaves my camera. Get one - you won't be disappointed!

Worth the money

Review Date: July 20, 2007

Reviewer: OJJ, New York City, NY

I bought the E-Volt 500 kit with 2 lenses (medium and telephoto). I found that I'm mostly taking portrait photos, many indoors or in low light. The kit lenses are pretty good, but have a lowest aperture of f/3.5, and that's in their widest angle. Since you're usually going to want 40-50mm for people shots (especially if you want narrow depth of field - blurred background) you'll have to rely on a flash indoors. I also have the FL-36 flash, which is invaluable for those bar/restaurant parties, but you have to work hard to get a natural looking light (especially in a candle-light). The 50mm f/2 solves a lot of those problems, since shooting wide open (without flash) you'll get that natural looking light and a non-distracting background. If it's really dark, though, you'll still need the flash. I think many people with the E-500 are in the same situation, they get the kit lenses, but grow out of them pretty fast. I find that the bigger aperture is worth the money. I find that I'm using the fixed focal length macro over my kit zoom lens. It's more work to frame, but the depth of field and sharpness are much better than the kit lens. I was strongly considering the other 30mm (which is a lot cheaper), but I decided on the 50mm because (1) f/2 vs f/3.5 is a BIG difference and (2) 50mm gives you enough working room for most compositions. I highly recommend this lens, though it is pretty expensive for an amateur photographer, you're going to get a lot more out of it!!

An excellent lens

Review Date: August 25, 2007

Reviewer: P. Kelen, London, United Kingdom

This is an excellent lens and is compact and light for a macro lens. It can be used as a portrait lens and as a fast medium telephoto lens for low light photography, as well as a macro lens. There is a very comprehensive review of this lens at this web page: http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/oly-e/zd-50m.html Some other reviewers have commented that this lens is not a true macro because its image magnification is 1:2, rather than the 1:1 of a so-called 'true' macro lens on a 35 mm film camera. Actually, this is not the case in practice, because the sensor of 4:3 cameras (such as the Olympus E-series digital SLRs) is half the size of a 35 mm film frame, so a magnification factor of 2x applies to images taken by the 4:3 camera when they are printed or viewed on a computer screen. Therefore when close-up images taken by a 4:3 camera with the Olympus 50 mm 1:2 macro lens are printed, you get a similar effect to close-up images taken by a 35 mm film camera with a 100 mm 1:1 macro lens.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into

Review Date: September 19, 2008

Reviewer: ubat, Sao Paulo, Brazil

The E-520 was my first dSLR (10 days ago) and the 50 mm f/2.0 was the first lens I put on it. Having just migrated, or upgraded, from a "bridge" camera (Panasonic FZ18), the whole setup just blew me away. I never thought I would like macro shooting as much as I am liking it (I was always a "zoom" person): I can actually see things through this lens, and on the computer afterwards, that I'd never noticed before. All the images were sharp as a tack, with wonderful contrast and color and a wealth of detail. I'd say that using this lens is all about enjoying photography, no matter what the user's level of expertise is. This may not be a pro's review -- nothing could be farther from that! --, but I hope it is useful for you.

Might be the best lens I own

Review Date: July 1, 2007

Reviewer: T. Haines, NY

I can remember wanting this lens SO bad when I saw the sample shots on Amazon. When I bought it, and started shooting with it, I found it was even better than I had thought. This is one of my sharpest lenses. And it's my fastest lens at f2.0. Macro shots are just incredible, and portrait shots are high-end. The saturation, balance, and contrast of this lens is just beautiful. I'm not a big fan of prime lenses (lenses that don't zoom) because it's annoying to have to move around to frame your shot. But the quality of this lens is so good that I don't mind the annoyance of a fixed focal point. If you only have the kit lens/lenses that came with your camera, this should probably be the first lens you invest in. First, because the quality is just off the charts. So much better than your kit lens that you may not want to use your kit lens ever again. Second, the price of the lens makes it pretty easy to add to your collection. A lot easier than the other lenses in the Zuiko lineup which are equally good, or better, but a lot more expensive. Third, no matter which lenses you start investing in, you'll eventually want to have a good macro lens in your lineup, for as long as you own your camera. So you'll likely get this lens at some point anyway...one way or another. On all levels this lens is really a smart buy. I've never used the 35mm macro lens, but I'd guess the 50mm is the better of the two. I hear more about it than I have ever heard of the 35mm. If you're looking into macro, save up for the 50mm.

Insane

Review Date: March 8, 2008

Reviewer: Michael S. O'neill,

This lens is sharp like a tack! Just returned from an overseas trip, the reason I purchased this lens. I had the chance to practice with it some before leaving the u.s. in anticipation for what I might encounter on my trip. The f-stop of 2.0 made it fast enough to use without a flash at an iso of 400 with the olympus e-500. The affordability of that body shows it's limits with higher iso settings but at 400 I was able to shoot as fast as 1/60 and catch action without alot of noise in the image. Speaking of the "image", the depth of field at f-2.0 is super dramatic. Oohs and ahhs never get boring as trip mates reviewed images on the camera's lcd view. Absolutely amazing macro results as well. I was able to get some fantastic shots of a camel's face up close, and again every detail is razor sharp. I only pulled out my kit lenses when I needed to capture wider angles or subjects that were far enough off in the distance to justify using a zoom. It sounds crazy, but the image quality between the kit lenses and the fixed 50 are pretty significant. They are all 3 zuiko lenses, but I guess having that premium glass in the fixy along with the fact that it's static and doesn't zoom, makes all the difference in clarity and sharpness. This should be your next upgrade, if you're shooting with the standard e-500 or e-510 body or kit system. I would say even more so than a flash system upgrade. Enjoy

50mm Macro - Flawless

Review Date: November 19, 2007

Reviewer: T. C. Scott,

This lens is everything I hoped it would be and everything the reviews promised it would be too. It is easy to use, flawless in results and great value. It is great for close up work, obviously, but it is also a great portrait lens. Get one, you won't be sorry!

Just Buy It!

Review Date: August 6, 2009

Reviewer: David Perez, Pennsylvania

I assume if you are reading this review that you are considering this Olympus 50mm f2.0 Telephoto Macro ED lens for your E-series camera. The best advice that I can offer is: "Go ahead and buy it". You will not regret buying this lens. I don't wish to add a bunch of techno nerdy comments except to say that many reviewers of this lens just chime in with the previous reviewers and give lots of opinions about things that don't really matter to the majority of us. Let me give you my honest and simple opinion of this lens. * It is extremely well made. It is solidly built and it focuses smoothly, quickly and quietly on my Olympus E-3 body. * The images that I have shot with this lens are razor sharp ...... almost too sharp (if there is such a thing) This lens lets in a lot of light at f2.0 and 100iso. You may consider stopping down the aperture or lowering the exposure level for well lit scenes. * The depth-of-field is pretty narrow below f8.0 settings. However you will be very happy with the soft bokeh that this lens delivers at the wider f-stop settings. * The macro shots are really more like close-ups at 50mm. It's best to use a macro extension tube such as an Olympus EX-25 Extension Tube for true macro work. You will be very happy with the quick, bright and sharp macro shots that this lens delivers with the extension tube. It's a real bargain at the Amazon.com price. There is no better portrait/macro lens available for your Olympus E-series camera unless you wish to pay around $2,100.00 for the Olympus Zuiko 35-100 f.2.0 zoom lens. The only significant gain that you will get from the higher priced lens is a lighter wallet and the ability to zoom in a little tighter. Cheers!

quality glass

Review Date: November 4, 2007

Reviewer: Joel Kluger, Olympia, Washington, USA

This lens is definitely a step up from the kit lenses. It performs equally as well as a portrait lens, medium telephoto and macro. I use it as a macro with the extension tube and have been very pleased with the results.

Beautiful portraits, closeups

Review Date: January 9, 2007

Reviewer: John H. Julian, Atlanta, GA United States

I bought this lens to allow me to do more than I could with just my E-500's 2 lens kit lenses. I wanted something that would be fast, allow me to take better portraits, and deliver professional quality images. With the f2.0's short focal depth, when taking portraits you get the sharpness on the subject and the blurred background. At higher f's, you get beautiful detail with the deeper focal depth. The lens also delivers beautiful close-ups. The other advantage of the large aperture is that it allows you to take faster exposurses in low-light situations. The week after I got the lens, I was at a festival and was tripped by a dog, landing on the camera. Although there were some scratches on the rim of my UV filter (strongly recommended to protect any SLR lens), the lens held up as it is built like a tank.

Made me realize why I got an DSLR

Review Date: March 21, 2008

Reviewer: J. Waugh, Chicago, IL USA

I purchased this lens from Amazon and was less than happy about the packing of the shipping box, lens box could be felt shifting around with room and on all sides inside the box (a no no for packing items you're going to ship, particularly expensive items like this lens), however the lens was just fine. Now, I'd purchased a E-510 and have been weighing whether to keep it or go for a prosumer (no hassle) camera...until I unpacked this lens and put it on my 510. First light was literally a "Whoah" moment. Beautiful, sharp, at 50mm a relatively good amount of magnification. Looking at the pictures on the computer, the bokeh (out of focus background) is beautiful (big change from kit 510 lenses). The detail in the shots is astounding. Looking at the results of the few pics I took made me think this is why I got a DSLR.