Last Updated on 06/24/2011 by Chris Gampat
Since the release of the Noktor 50mm F0.95 prime lens for Micro Four Thirds, users have been wanting more lenses like this one. The lens is essentially a CCTV lens remounted for the Micro Four Thirds system. In general, users of Micro Four Thirds cameras really appreciate small or pancake primes. That said, here is a list of great CCTV lenses that you may want to get your hands on.
First off, know that mounting a CCTV lens of any sort onto your Micro Four Thirds bodies requires using an adapter mount. They can be had on eBay usually. Second, these lenses get my highest recommendation for shooting videos, so the Panasonic GH1 will surely be paired well with it. Lastly, since the lenses are so tiny and almost Leica-like in construction as they are, they will accompany your Olympus EP-2 and Panasonic GF-1 very well. I may actually be picking up an EP-1 soon just because I want a carry-around camera with great image quality.
Now; onto that glass.
Pentax C22525KP 25mm F1.4– This is a lens that I’m personally looking at. For the price it seems pretty damned good. But don’t take my word for it: listen to a user on DPReview’s forums. This lens will be a perfect 50mm F1.4 on a Micro Four Thirds body as well as provide compactness, smooth manual focusing and an aperture ring. This means that on top of that old rangefinder feel and look will be usability as well as great image quality. F1.4 will allow users to keep their ISO settings lower down for less image noise and grain.
Pentax C22516 25mm F1.8– Though it is very close in price to the previously named Pentax lens, the reason why it is on this list is because of the fact that Pentax lenses are legendary for their quality; especially in their primes. If you have no need for F1.4, then this is a great alternative. Keep in mind that shooting wide open at F1.4 can be hard to do, but the narrower depth of field of a Four Thirds sensor should help with this. Combined, with Olympus’s image stabilization, this lens will do very well for college students.
Fujinon CF50HA-1 50mm F1.4– Fujinon lenses are wonderful as I’ve seen previously in medium format cameras. This lens will be a 100mm F1.4 on a Micro Four Thirds camera. This is a very useful focal length as portraits, street photography, events and many other needs can be photographed with this lens.
Fujinon CF16HA-1 16mm F1.4– 32mm seems a bit of an odd focal length, but it is close enough to 35mm to still provide for great shooting if you prefer to get up close to your subjects with street photography. This will also be great for events, weddings and landscapes.
Yes, I said weddings. Keep in mind that all these lenses are manual focus, so you’re essentially shooting Leica-style.
There are more legendary lenses out there though. Some of those are the Navitar 0.95/50mm, P. ANGENIEUX PARIS 5cm f0.95 TYPE M1, and the YAKUMO F0.95 CCTV. If you can get your hands on them, do it. They are very highly rated.
What lenses do you use and recommend? Let us know in the comments down below.
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