A DASH OF TECHNIQUE

Olympus E-M5 - Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-45mm at 45mm (90mm eq.) w/polarizer - 1/250" f8 ISO 200
in-camera monochrome (red filter) - out-of-camera jpg

PhotoGraphia regulars may notice that I started captioning my photographs using their main exif data. I don't think my previous posts were lacking anything, yet I'm currently in a more "photography-oriented" mood than in the last few years and, consequently, I'm interested in this aspect of the imaging process a little more than usual. Things change.
Therefore you can expect a dash of technique will be added to my next posts every now and then. I'm quite sure this will please most readers, while those who don't care won't be bothered at all.

By the way, my new Olympus OM-D E-M5 is an awesome camera. More on this matter in the next few weeks. In the meantime I'd like to know which manual-focus lenses, in your experience, better match the 16 megapixel Micro 4/3 sensors, both Olympus and Panasonic, in terms of sharpness, resolving power and microcontrast. My current tests deliver unexpected results.

Comments

[Frank]

I don't have experience with manual-focus lenses, but I do use a micro 4/3 camera since 2009, and my pixel-peeping knowledge says: never go above F 6.3 due to refraction with this bit smaller sensor size, you loose sharpness and microcontrast. You don't need F 8 to F 22 anyway because of the much larger DOF of the sensor size. Just my opinion :)

[Gianni Galassi]

Thank you, Frank,
your pixel-peeping knowledge says the truth. So much so that I always set an aperture between 5.6 and 9 in almost all my shots. Except when I need a huge DOF, thus partly sacrificing sharpness in exchange of a better focus.
Though I'm under the impression that there must be some optics-design/sensor-structure compatibility issue. But my technical knowledge doesn't go that far. Thus my request for suggestions.

[David Aspinall]

Hi Gianni
Still here and reading, I love the OMD and currently using 24(12) Olympus, 50(25) Panasonic -over priced and over blown, and 90(45) Olympus and love the results of all of them.
Strangely as far as ergonomics, robustness and familiarity I prefer my EPL3 and EP3 but the quality of the images from the OMD wins hands down ALTHOUUGH I have always loved the PEN images they have a quality of colour and grain which remind me of film.
David

[Gianni Galassi]

Hi David.
I love the OM-D as well and am currently using the Panasonic 14-45, the awesome Panasonic Leica Summilux 25 and the stunning Olympus 45. I also have the Panasonic 14-140 but didn't test it yet on the OM-D, as my wife has it permanently mounted on her Panasonic G3. The kit Olympus 12-50 sits in its box as I don't like it at all.
As for Leica lenses, they deliver disappointing results when mated with Micro Four Thirds sensors (at least in my real-world experience) so I gave up using them.
Unlike you, I find the build quality and ergonomics of the OM-D are far better than the EP1's and EP2's. Briefly, I have a great feeling with this camera, which I suspect will hang from my neck for a long time.

[David Aspinall]

Hi Gianni
The OMD grows on me day by day, and yes the Summilux 25 is outstanding on this body and gives less rattlesnake rattle than on the PEN bodies.
The combination of the 12/25/45 is for me perfect and the last time I remember feeling so good about a camera set up was an M6 with 21/35/90 about 20 years ago.
I have a loathing of zooms preferring to use my legs allthough I do confess to owning the Panasonic 100-300.
All the best

David

[Gianni Galassi]

David,
the Olympus 12mm is a tempting option for me as well. Along with the Summilux 25mm and the Olympus 45 it would make the "perfect kit" complete.
And what about the upcoming Olympus 75mm?