Anybody using Olympus PEN lenses on their NEX-7?

[Ken Ford]

Surprisingly little turns up in a forum search, so apologies if this has been beaten to death already.

I'm really enjoying my new NEX-7, especially with Oly OM Zuikos. This has gotten me to thinking... how are PEN lenses on the NEX?

I seem to recall PEN lenses actually outresolved most contemporary SLR lenses which, if true, would bode well for their performance on the NEX-7.

A 25/2.8, 38/1.8 and 60/1.5 would in theory make a nice little kit!

[jippiejee]

The imaging circle of m4/3 lenses is smaller than those for aps-c sensors, so if technically possible, there'll be some vignetting.

[Ken Ford]

I should have clarified - *original* PEN lenses, not the current m4/3 ones.

[michel v]

I only have experience with the Pen 40mm f1.4.

It was nice, but these Pen lenses are prone to failure in the focus ring part, which makes the ring sometimes "skip" a bit.
Mine fell in two parts in my hand on the first day, even though I paid top money for a "like new" sample. Had to pay more money to get it fixed…

Supposedly the 38mm f1.8 is very nice. A nice chap is selling one (with properly working rings) on another forum; if you're interested, send me a PM.

Not sure if the 60mm f1.5 is great, but it goes for crazy money today. :/

[Ken Ford]

I think I'd better do some research before I jump into anything! That said, PM incoming.

[Smiert Spionam]

There are quite a few threads about them, but they're scattered around various forums -- definitely some on fredmiranda.com and dpreview.com. I've only owned the 100/3.5, but it's excellent (on par with the best ~100mm primes). The 40/1.4 has an especially good reputation, and the 38/1.8 is one of the more affordable ways in. With their short registration distance, they're also very compact.

[michel v]

The 40mm f1.4 has terrible bokeh wide open though.

[zuikologist]

I have the 38/1.8 on a Kiwifoto adapter. A very good combo that I normally use wide open. Very compact, with image quality up to rf optics standards. I'll try to find some photos.

[mabelsound]

The 60/1.5 is brilliant. A great lens.

[kuuan]

Pen-F lenses make a perfect fit on a NEX, though I use it on NEX5N, not NEX7
there is no vignetting ( PEN-F halframe is 18mmx24mm, NEX APS-C is 23.4mm×15.6mm ),
as compared to most rangefinder lenses Pen-F lenses have shorter minimum focus distance, e.g. 35cm for the 38mm and 40mm, 20 cm for the 20mm
register distance are 18mm for Sony E and 28,95mm for PEN-F so the adapter is only about 1cm deep.
see the f1.8/38 on my NEX5N:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuuan/6...6528/lightbox/

see my photos taken with the f1.8/35mm: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuuan/s...88053181/show/
with the f1.4/40mm: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuuan/s...15399105/show/
with the f3.5/20mm: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuuan/s...25919493/show/
and just two with the f3.5/100mm: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kuuan/s...64071135/show/
since today only I also have the f2.8/25mm, hope to have some samples soon.

( and btw. if someone is looking for a f1.8/38 I have two copies for sale right now, one for 115.- the other for 130 Euro excl. caps, sending from Japan by EMS incl. insurance and tracking 18 Euro, interested please P.M. )

best greetings,
Andreas

[Kent]

Originally Posted by kuuan

Pen-F lenses make a perfect fit on a NEX, though I use it on NEX5N, not NEX7

I confirm for the NEX-7! Amazing matches!

[Jim Evidon]

Why use an old Pen F lens when there are better M mount CV lenses? I have several plus a Leica Summicron and 2 Elmarits. The Leica lenses are superior because of the greater contrast giving snappier images, but when it comes to sharpness, medium contrast, little or no focus shift and price, the Cosina Voightlander lenses are hard to beat. See SeanReid's comments on these great lenses.

[nemjo]

Hi,

I have to admit, first I bought the Nex for my CV lenses.
Now I had to buy a small bag for the Pen lenses to use with the Nex...
The 25/2.8, the 40/1.4 along with the 100/3.5 works well in a tiny package.


and a crop of that:



cheers,

nemjo

[kuuan]

I don't have any Voigtlaender nor Leica to compare and like some of my Pen-F lenses very much, e.g. the 1.4/40 for close range head shots

[lattiboy]

I took one of my favorite portraits with (what I consider to be) the best single pound-for-pound/value lens available anywhere. The sharpness this the 38mm f/1.8 produces is jaw dropping, even at f/2. Considering the almost comically small size, it makes me a little angry that the Sony 50mm is such a beast.

Wide open on, I believe, the NEX-7 (possibly 5N, but I've tested on the 7 and it still delivers in *****s)

[flip]

I use them regularly on the Nex5. Pretty much, I only use M-mount lenses in the niche where they are size-compatible. For long or macro, it's hard to been pen lenses. Last weekend, I took the pen macro and the OM 21/2 out as a set and found it incredibly flexible.

[nemjo]

Nex 7 with Oly 100/3.5


nemjo

[uhoh7]

the 42/1.2 is excellent, aside from a modern zeiss-like bokeh and super sharp stopped down. 38 as noted reputed to be good also.

the 20 and the 25/2.8 are very sharp in the center, but forget the corners--unless you focus for them. Spherical aberation.

[sebboh]

i'm quite fond of my 42/1.2 on the NEX-7. it's extremely sharp stopped down across the frame. wide open it is pretty sharp in the center and but with a fair bit of field curvature and glow. it is a relatively low contrast lens. bokeh is funky and swirly wide open but can be used to artistic effect quite nicely. stopped down the bokeh is pretty nice. it has a little bit of CA and a fair bit of distortion, but neither are really noticeable unless you look for them. the only thing that makes it a less than stellar allround lens is troublesome flare in with bright light sources (e.g. city lights at night).

i also had the 38/1.8 for a while but sold it due to lack of use. it is more contrasty with less distortion than the 42/1.2, but i found it to be less 'magical'.

here's my flickr photos with those two lenses (most are with the 42mm): http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=olym...N04&ss=2&s=int

it fits the camera so well too: