Great Manual Focus Lenses for Micro Four Thirds

[@doctormock1]

FYI: It's my understanding that when you set the camera to shoot without lens and it asks you for the length of the lens, the purpose is to set the camera so that the in body stabilization will be optimized for that size lens. I also shoot micro four thirds and have several manual focus lenses ranging from the Laowa 4mm ( which I usually set with the sensor set to 2x cropping to fill the frame) to a Samyang 135mm F2. I go to my local park and often photograph birds. The truth is that even with my auto focus lenses I often switch to manual focus to try to nail the focus if they are not moving.

[@uncunvenchunalwisdom]

Thanks so much for your commitment and that now rings true to me about the image stabilization. I often use 50 year old lenses with adapters and get great results, in part due to in body stabilization. I will make sure to make that point clear in future videos.

[@waynecox5138]

@@uncunvenchunalwisdomboth camera bodies allow IS setting. Olympus and I assume the G9 will allow you to manually enter lens name as well

[@danthegeetarman]

I've started to get more into manual focus lenses and zone (range) focusing. I love the concept and since I end up shooting at night a lot, manual focus would really help for those times when auto focus won't work

[@uncunvenchunalwisdom]

If I had to choose between a great manual focus system and a great autofocus system, I would take the manual focus system. That would be my preference because of the way I shoot. It is, however, nice to have both.

[@TheAverageTargaryen]

Love manual focus! I got my first mirrorless fujifilm after only shooting with film and the viewfinder was incredible! Like a VR headset, great video!

[@uncunvenchunalwisdom]

Fuji makes some awesome viewfinders. Glad you enjoy it.

[@uncunvenchunalwisdom]

The Brightinstar 35mm 1.5 is available for Fuji brightinstar.com/products/brightin-star-35mm-f0-95-night-god-portrait-star-lens-suitable-for-fuji-x-mount

[@TheAverageTargaryen]

@@uncunvenchunalwisdom thank you for the link! I’ll definitely take a look :) have a great day

[@alexmcgilvery3878]

I was constantly switching to manual focus because the autofocus liked to focus on the leaf next to what I was shooting. I also started with the old film OM1 and everything was manual from ISO, focus, and shooting speed. It taught me to use the triangle to set up the shot I wanted.

[@pepeye]

I have the Brightin Star 35mm on my GX85 and its every bit as great as you say. If they made a 20mm-ish version of this lens I might never take it off. I also have one of the Laowa lenses (the original 7.5mm f2) and, besides being optically great, its almost hyper focal at most apertures, so I don’t have to do much focusing and can rely on zone focus. The third lens that spends the most time in my kit bag for m4/3’s is the much overlooked Sigma 19mm f2.8 Art lens. Its 38mm equivalent focal length is super handy on the GX85 and it is very easy to focus manually (because it has electronics you can set the focus assist punch-in to activate when you turn the focus ring). And it plays well with the stabilizer.

[@uncunvenchunalwisdom]

Thanks. I will do a video just on the Brighten Star lens even though there are already some out there. I may buy a copy for one of my APS-C cameras as well.

[@f1remandg]

Thank for the heads up on like myself you go back to 60s I was in Newquay U.K. when they landed on the moon and know exactly what you’re talking about! Excellent and honest!

[@IsawUupThere]

The focus clutch is such a neat idea. If I wasn't so happy with my PL 15 and 25, I would consider getting an Olympus lens just for that feature. The range markings are something I always miss with digital cameras... and that stupid range indicator with no markings, excuse me, two markings. "Do you want to focus on a mountain or a flower? Oh, do we have a treat for you!" They couldn't make that feet or meters? I'm happy using autofocus most of the time, but still.

[@ds1v0r19]

Interesting video. I adapt Olympus 35mm OM lenses, plus Pentax screw mount, Pentax K and Pentax 6x7 to my Olympus E-M1 Mk III. Each type of lens offers something different with lens flare, color rendition , contrast and sharpness. My favorite is the oldest, a 50mm f1.4 uncoated, Super Takumar; has a lovely pastel rendition, with lots of lens flare and a unique bokeh. I also have the Olympus 12-40 f2.8 Pro and the 12mm f2 lens and previously had the Lumix 20mm lens. My other camera is a DSLR, the Pentax K3 Monochrome and I only have one AF lens, the 20-40 f2.8-4 Limited but I also use all of the various Pentax glass from screw mount, K mount and 6x7. Lots of options means lots of fun!

[@uncunvenchunalwisdom]

Sounds like fun. What is your take on the K3 Monochrome?

[@ds1v0r19]

@@uncunvenchunalwisdom I've been using the K3 Monochrome since the middle of October 2023. I enjoy the user experience and have been using it more than my Olympus gear. I don't plan on abandoning my Micro 4/3's gear and will use it when needed. The K3 Monochrome definitely is not a camera for most photographers. I find myself looking and searching for scenes that will translate into good b&w's. I pay more attention to the highlights and shadow areas of a scene. I've used it for in camera multiple exposures, general scenics, architecture, some night photography, landscapes, family photos and a few macro shots. Yesterday morning I was taking photos in a local cemetery with the K3 Monochrome. I watched a lot of u tube reviews before I made my purchase. I wanted to get one early on but held off and ordered it at the beginning of August last year. It took a little over two months before I received the camera. After having the camera I wish Pentax would make a K1 Monochrome.

[@uncunvenchunalwisdom]

Thanks so much for your replay. In the near future, I will make some black and white oriented videos including a discussion of the Ansel Adams Zone System from the film here and how that can be related to the digital darkroom of today. Previsualization was critical to Adams work and as you describe above, black and white forces that process to a degree. I am really interested in whether or not you believe there is a perceptible difference between black and white images from color digital cameras (or rendered black and white in post) vs the K3 output.

[@photographyforenjoyment]

Good video and I like your approach/presentation

[@martlet530]

thanks - looking forward to more videos on olympus!

[@uncunvenchunalwisdom]

I will have videos that involve my OM1 and Pen e-p5 in the near future

[@simonatterbury]

Just found your channel and I also have the original 12-40 F2.8 and use it a lot in manual. I'm looking for a pancake lens for an every day carry camera. I've heard there are issues with the LUMIX 20mm on Olympus bodies, have you experienced anything that restricts function or image quality?

[@uncunvenchunalwisdom]

I haven't used the 20mm on an Olympus body, so I don't know.

[@alangamble3236]

@simonatterbury , hi I use the Lumix 20mm 1.7 on my OMD camera bodies and also my EPL8 with no apparent problems although I am just a hobbyist not a professional photographer. I find it to be very sharp and it’s perfect to be coupled with a small body camera. Most reviews state that it’s slow to focus but I personally don’t notice that.

[@michaellong9526]

Hi JB , can you tell me , does the Oly 12-40 work seamlessly with the Lumix G9, ie. are there any compromises in the sync stab between body and lens, also does the lens have hard stops for infinityfocus? BTW I use a 50 f.095 from SLR Magic. Very nice lens, quite heavy only really started to enjoy it when I started using it on my G9 vs EM1 original version as Oly is pretty small body and 50 .95 made it very off balanced. Thanks for the video.👍

[@uncunvenchunalwisdom]

It has worked well for me on the G9 and yes it has hard stops for infinity with manual focus. I am not sure what you mean by "sync stab". If you buy one, you may want to do so with return privileges so you can try it out first.

[@qassemaleid9774]

🥰

[@uncunvenchunalwisdom]

Thanks

[@planeador21]

you don't care about likes, subscribers and start your video with your conclusions. WOW!!!! I wish all reviewers would do the same!