Difference between revisions of "Four-Thirds lenses"
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Due to the standardised nature of the [[Four-Thirds]] system, there are currently several manufacturers producing lenses for the system. Whereas in other situations a company like [[Sigma]] produces lenses for camera systems without the official blessing of the manufacturer — and therefore must design their equipment through a process of reverse-engineering — as they are signed up under the Four-Thirds banner as a partner they have access to all the design specifications and technologies as laid out by Olympus in the Four-Thirds white paper. As such all 4/3rds lenses are fully compatible with other 4/3rds system equipment. | Due to the standardised nature of the [[Four-Thirds]] system, there are currently several manufacturers producing lenses for the system. Whereas in other situations a company like [[Sigma]] produces lenses for camera systems without the official blessing of the manufacturer — and therefore must design their equipment through a process of reverse-engineering — as they are signed up under the Four-Thirds banner as a partner they have access to all the design specifications and technologies as laid out by Olympus in the Four-Thirds white paper. As such all 4/3rds lenses are fully compatible with other 4/3rds system equipment. | ||
| − | ''Note: | + | ''Note: Owing to the nature of the [[Four-Thirds#Image_Sensor|Four-Thirds system sensors]], the focal lengths of the lenses below should be doubled for their effective focal length equivalents in 24×36mm format.'' |
| − | ==Olympus Zuiko Digital | + | ==Olympus Zuiko Digital lenses== |
All [[Olympus]] [[Zuiko]] Digital lenses are designed from the ground up to match the 4/3rds image sensor format. Similar to Canon's [[Canon EOS|EOS]] system they feature fully electronic mounts, with no mechanical connections to the camera bodies at all — meaning even manual focus is achieved via an electronic 'focus-by-wire' system. | All [[Olympus]] [[Zuiko]] Digital lenses are designed from the ground up to match the 4/3rds image sensor format. Similar to Canon's [[Canon EOS|EOS]] system they feature fully electronic mounts, with no mechanical connections to the camera bodies at all — meaning even manual focus is achieved via an electronic 'focus-by-wire' system. | ||
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'''Terminology''' | '''Terminology''' | ||
| − | *ED — 'Extra-Low Distortion' elements to minimise refraction | + | *ED — 'Extra-Low Distortion' elements to minimise refraction and reduce chromatic aberrations |
*SWD — Featured in Olympus' second generation of lenses, the 'Supersonic Wave Drive' motors promise almost silent, very fast autofocus. Olympus claim that coupled with the E-1's successor they will provide the world's fastest autofocus system in their class. | *SWD — Featured in Olympus' second generation of lenses, the 'Supersonic Wave Drive' motors promise almost silent, very fast autofocus. Olympus claim that coupled with the E-1's successor they will provide the world's fastest autofocus system in their class. | ||
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* Zuiko Digital 'Telephoto Macro' — ''This lens is planned for release in 2008, no specifics on focal length as yet.'' | * Zuiko Digital 'Telephoto Macro' — ''This lens is planned for release in 2008, no specifics on focal length as yet.'' | ||
| − | ===Standard | + | ===Standard lenses=== |
| − | The lenses in this range are 'consumer grade'; they are not weather-sealed and | + | The lenses in this range are 'consumer grade'; they are not weather-sealed and have lower build quality and optics. |
* Zuiko Digital 'Ultra-Wide zoom lens — ''This lens is planned for release in 2008, no specifics on focal length as yet.'' | * Zuiko Digital 'Ultra-Wide zoom lens — ''This lens is planned for release in 2008, no specifics on focal length as yet.'' | ||
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* Zuiko Digital ED 70–300mm F4–5.6 — ''Planned for release some time in 2007'' | * Zuiko Digital ED 70–300mm F4–5.6 — ''Planned for release some time in 2007'' | ||
| − | ==Sigma Four-Thirds | + | ==Sigma Four-Thirds lenses== |
The majority of [[Sigma]] lenses released for the 4/3rds system are simply adaptations of lenses they have previously released for APS-C or 35mm formats. | The majority of [[Sigma]] lenses released for the 4/3rds system are simply adaptations of lenses they have previously released for APS-C or 35mm formats. | ||
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*APO — Lenses featuring low-dispersion glass to minimise chromatic aberration. | *APO — Lenses featuring low-dispersion glass to minimise chromatic aberration. | ||
| − | ===Standard | + | ===Standard zoom=== |
* Sigma 18–50mm F2.8 EX DC Macro | * Sigma 18–50mm F2.8 EX DC Macro | ||
* Sigma 18–50mm F3.5–5.6 DC | * Sigma 18–50mm F3.5–5.6 DC | ||
* Sigma 18–125mm F3.5–5.6 DC | * Sigma 18–125mm F3.5–5.6 DC | ||
| − | ===Telephoto | + | ===Telephoto zoom=== |
* Sigma APO 50–500mm F4–6.3 EX DG HSM | * Sigma APO 50–500mm F4–6.3 EX DG HSM | ||
* Sigma 55–200mm F4–5.6 DC | * Sigma 55–200mm F4–5.6 DC | ||
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* Sigma APO 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM Macro | * Sigma APO 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM Macro | ||
| − | ===Single | + | ===Single focal length=== |
* Sigma 24mm F1.8 EX DG ASP Macro | * Sigma 24mm F1.8 EX DG ASP Macro | ||
* Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM | * Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM | ||
| − | ==Panasonic Four-Thirds | + | ==Panasonic Four-Thirds lenses== |
Relative newcomers to the [[DSLR]] market, [[Panasonic]] have released one camera body — the [[Panasonic DMC-L1|DMC-L1]] — and two lenses for the 4/3rds system. Their lenses are co-branded with [[Leica]], something they began with their Lumix compact digital cameras — it is understood that these lenses are Leica-designed and Panasonic-built. | Relative newcomers to the [[DSLR]] market, [[Panasonic]] have released one camera body — the [[Panasonic DMC-L1|DMC-L1]] — and two lenses for the 4/3rds system. Their lenses are co-branded with [[Leica]], something they began with their Lumix compact digital cameras — it is understood that these lenses are Leica-designed and Panasonic-built. | ||
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Lenses with the [[:Category:Canon_FD_mount|Canon FD mount]] can also be adapted. This similarly renders the lens unusable with a Canon body. It is more complex than conversion of a Konica AR–mount lens, and it also requires the mount of an AR-mount lens.<ref>Bergfors, "Canon FD to FourThirds Mount Conversion".</ref> | Lenses with the [[:Category:Canon_FD_mount|Canon FD mount]] can also be adapted. This similarly renders the lens unusable with a Canon body. It is more complex than conversion of a Konica AR–mount lens, and it also requires the mount of an AR-mount lens.<ref>Bergfors, "Canon FD to FourThirds Mount Conversion".</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Adapters for the Four-Thirds mount== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Various companies produce adapters that will mate lenses intended for other SLRs with Four-Thirds bodies. For example, there are "RayQual" adapters for the [[Minolta SR mount|Minolta MD]], Nikon F, [[:Category:Olympus OM mount|Olympus OM]], Leica R, [[42mm screw lenses|M42]], [[:Category:Contax/Yashica mount|Contax/Yashica]], and Pentax K mounts.<ref>"[http://homepage2.nifty.com/rayqual/FourThirds.html Fōsāzu-yō maunto adaputa]" (フォーサーズ用マウントアダプター, Four-Thirds mount adapters). An [http://homepage2.nifty.com/rayqual/md_43.html additional page] illustrates the Minolta MD adapter.</ref> | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
Revision as of 00:07, 14 September 2007
Due to the standardised nature of the Four-Thirds system, there are currently several manufacturers producing lenses for the system. Whereas in other situations a company like Sigma produces lenses for camera systems without the official blessing of the manufacturer — and therefore must design their equipment through a process of reverse-engineering — as they are signed up under the Four-Thirds banner as a partner they have access to all the design specifications and technologies as laid out by Olympus in the Four-Thirds white paper. As such all 4/3rds lenses are fully compatible with other 4/3rds system equipment.
Note: Owing to the nature of the Four-Thirds system sensors, the focal lengths of the lenses below should be doubled for their effective focal length equivalents in 24×36mm format.
Contents
Olympus Zuiko Digital lenses
All Olympus Zuiko Digital lenses are designed from the ground up to match the 4/3rds image sensor format. Similar to Canon's EOS system they feature fully electronic mounts, with no mechanical connections to the camera bodies at all — meaning even manual focus is achieved via an electronic 'focus-by-wire' system.
Olympus divides its Zuiko Digital range into 3 tiers demarcated by the features, build quality and price of each lens.
Terminology
- ED — 'Extra-Low Distortion' elements to minimise refraction and reduce chromatic aberrations
- SWD — Featured in Olympus' second generation of lenses, the 'Supersonic Wave Drive' motors promise almost silent, very fast autofocus. Olympus claim that coupled with the E-1's successor they will provide the world's fastest autofocus system in their class.
Super High grade Lenses
All the lenses in this series are dust and moisture sealed, and are priced to suit photography professionals.
- Zuiko Digital ED 7–14mm F4
- Zuiko Digital ED 14–35mm F2 SWD — Planned for release some time in 2008
- Zuiko Digital ED 35/100mm F2
- Zuiko Digital ED 90–250mm F2.8
- Zuiko Digital ED 150mm F2 — Features Sigma's 'Hyper-Sonic Motor' autofocus technology.''
- Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F2.8
High Grade Lenses
All the lenses in this series are dust and moisture sealed.
- Zuiko Digital ED 8mm F3.5 Fisheye — Produces a rectangular image, not vignetted like many 35mm fisheye lenses. Features Sigma's 'Hyper-Sonic Motor' autofocus technology.
- Zuiko Digital 11–22mm F2.8–3.5
- Zuiko Digital 12–60mm F2.8–4 SWD — Planned for release some time in 2007
- Zuiko Digital 14–54 F2.8–3.5
- Zuiko Digital ED 50mm F2 Macro — Maximum magnification of 1.04× life size
- Zuiko Digital ED 50–200mm F2.8–3.5 — To be replaced by the below 'SWD' verison
- Zuiko Digital ED 50–200mm F2.8–3.5 SWD — Planned for release some time in 2007
- Zuiko Digital 'Telephoto Macro' — This lens is planned for release in 2008, no specifics on focal length as yet.
Standard lenses
The lenses in this range are 'consumer grade'; they are not weather-sealed and have lower build quality and optics.
- Zuiko Digital 'Ultra-Wide zoom lens — This lens is planned for release in 2008, no specifics on focal length as yet.
- Zuiko Digital ED 14–42mm F3.5–5.6 – New, lightweight standard kit lens for E-410 etc
- Zuiko Digital ED 18–180mm F3.5–6.3
- Zuiko Digital 35mm F3.5 Macro — Maximum magnification of 2x life size
- Zuiko Digital ED 40–150mm F4–5.6 – New, lightweight telephoto kit lens for E-410 etc
- Zuiko Digital ED 70–300mm F4–5.6 — Planned for release some time in 2007
Sigma Four-Thirds lenses
The majority of Sigma lenses released for the 4/3rds system are simply adaptations of lenses they have previously released for APS-C or 35mm formats.
Terminology
- DC — Lenses marked with this code are designed for digital sensors, and therefore do not have an image circle large enough to suit the full-frame bodies of the system they are mounted for (a somewhat irrelevant notation for 4/3rds lenses).
- DG — Lenses with imaging circles large enough to fit 35mm sensors/film (again, a somewhat irrelevant notation for 4/3rds lenses).
- EX — Denotes lenses with a higher quality external finish, reportedly to reflect the superior build and optical quality.
- HSM — 'Hyper-Sonic Motor'; this is effectively Sigma's 2nd generation of quieter, faster autofocus motors (and is also featured in some Olympus 4/3rds lenses)
- ASP — The lenses with this denomination feature one or more aspherical elements, to minimise distortion and allow for smaller, lighter designs.
- APO — Lenses featuring low-dispersion glass to minimise chromatic aberration.
Standard zoom
- Sigma 18–50mm F2.8 EX DC Macro
- Sigma 18–50mm F3.5–5.6 DC
- Sigma 18–125mm F3.5–5.6 DC
Telephoto zoom
- Sigma APO 50–500mm F4–6.3 EX DG HSM
- Sigma 55–200mm F4–5.6 DC
- Sigma APO 135–400mm F4.5–5.6 DG
- Sigma APO 300–800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM
Macro
- Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro
- Sigma APO 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM Macro
Single focal length
- Sigma 24mm F1.8 EX DG ASP Macro
- Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM
Panasonic Four-Thirds lenses
Relative newcomers to the DSLR market, Panasonic have released one camera body — the DMC-L1 — and two lenses for the 4/3rds system. Their lenses are co-branded with Leica, something they began with their Lumix compact digital cameras — it is understood that these lenses are Leica-designed and Panasonic-built.
Panasonic's lenses are unique among those made expressly for the 4/3rds system in that they have an aperture ring. When used on a Panasonic or Leica body, this allows changing of the aperture by using this ring rather than via the on-camera buttons/dials.
- 14–50mm F2.8–3.5 Leica D Vario Elmarit ASP Mega OIS — kit lens for the DMC-L1 featuring optical image stabilisation (previously Panasonic have used this system in their Lumix series of compact digital cameras).
- 25mm F1.4 Leica D Summilux ASP
Panasonic have also announced the pending release of a telephoto zoom lens with OIS.
Conversions to the Four-Thirds mount
The distance between film plane and lens flange of the Four-Thirds system is unusually small, two millimetres less than that of the Konica AR system.[1] This allows enterprising people to adapt older SLR lenses for these cameras.
Lenses with the Konica AR mount can be adapted. The process is destructive — the lens will no longer be usable with a Konica body — but the only parts needed are spacer rings.[2]
Lenses with the Canon FD mount can also be adapted. This similarly renders the lens unusable with a Canon body. It is more complex than conversion of a Konica AR–mount lens, and it also requires the mount of an AR-mount lens.[3]
Adapters for the Four-Thirds mount
Various companies produce adapters that will mate lenses intended for other SLRs with Four-Thirds bodies. For example, there are "RayQual" adapters for the Minolta MD, Nikon F, Olympus OM, Leica R, M42, Contax/Yashica, and Pentax K mounts.[4]
Notes
- ↑ Bergfors, "Konica to FourThirds Modification".
- ↑ Bergfors, "Konica to FourThirds Modification"; Bergfors, "Hexanon 40, F1.8 to Fourthirds Conversion".
- ↑ Bergfors, "Canon FD to FourThirds Mount Conversion".
- ↑ "Fōsāzu-yō maunto adaputa" (フォーサーズ用マウントアダプター, Four-Thirds mount adapters). An additional page illustrates the Minolta MD adapter.
References
- Bergfors, Jörgen. "Konica to Four Thirds Modification". Fourthirdsphoto.com.
- Bergfors, Jörgen. "Hexanon 40, F1.8 to Fourthirds Conversion". Fourthirdsphoto.com.
- Bergfors, Jörgen. "Canon FD to FourThirds Mount Conversion". Fourthirdsphoto.com.
