Quick answer
The standard kit lens of the OM film SLR line, a light manual-focus 50mm f/1.8 that weighs about 170 g. It takes 49mm filters and focuses as close as 0.45 m.
Pros
- Light at about 170 g
- Compact
- Simple manual controls
- Fast f/1.8 aperture
Cons
- Manual focus and aperture only
- Soft and low in contrast wide open
- Old coatings can flare
Verdict
A classic entry point to vintage OM glass. The f/1.4 version is faster.
About this lens
A 50mm f/1.8 fast manual-focus standard prime lens, the Olympus Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.8 is designed for Olympus OM mount bodies. A classic manual-focus standard lens for Olympus OM film cameras.
Olympus Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.8 specifications
- Brand
- Olympus
- Mount
- Olympus OM
- Focal length
- 50mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/1.8
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Optical construction
- 6 elements in 5 groups
- Autofocus motor
- none
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.45 m
- Filter thread
- 49 mm
- Weight
- 170 g
Specification source: en.wikipedia.org
What can you shoot with the Olympus Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.8?
- Vintage portraits
- Adapting to mirrorless
- Film SLR use
Its fast maximum aperture helps in dim light and gives good subject separation.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor (adapted mount, so sensor size depends on your camera). Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 50mm | 39.6° | 46.8° |
| APS-C | 1.5x | 75mm | 27° | 32.2° |
| Micro Four Thirds | 2.0x | 100mm | 20.4° | 24.4° |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an OM Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 on a Micro Four Thirds or Sony E camera?
Yes, with an OM-to-MFT or OM-to-E adapter. There are no electronics, so you focus and set aperture manually.
How does the OM Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 compare with the f/1.4?
The f/1.4 is brighter and slightly heavier at about 230 g, while the f/1.8 is lighter.
Does it have image stabilization?
No. Stabilization has to come from the camera body if it has sensor-shift stabilization; otherwise use a faster shutter speed or a tripod.
Alternatives for Olympus OM from other brands
All Olympus OM lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
