Olympus OM-System Zuiko Auto-S 50 mm f/ 1.4 Review

Olympus OM-System Zuiko Auto-S 50 mm f / 1.4 is a fast lens for Olympus OM 35mm SLR cameras.

Produced from 1971 through 1984 and survived 6 modifications. 

Practically all Zuiko lenses, which I used, sharp and plastic. They have a nice character, have good contrast, and are usually smaller than their counterparts from other manufacturers. For this Zuiko designers, great thanks. 

Adapted to Nikon F Mount Olympus OM-System Zuiko Auto-S 50 mm f / 1.4 is no exception and is made in the best traditions of the company Zuiko.

f / 2 aperture blades formed the shape of a circular saw  f / 4 saw disappears and becomes an octagonal shape

Another nice feature is that its price in the secondary market is much cheaper than Nikon's same aperture. But to mount it on a Nikon requires tricks since the Olympus OM's flange focal distance less than the Nikon F. 

Olympus OM-System Zuiko Auto-S 50 mm f / 1.4 Specifications

Focal length: 50mm

Aperture: f/ 1.4 — f/ 16

Weight (gr): 230

Length (mm): 46

Filter Ø (mm.): 49

Aperture blades: 8

Min. focus distance (m.): 0.45

Handling and Mechanics

The lens is lightweight and small. Easy to carry the camera. Build quality is good. Metal frame, rubberized focusing ring.

Focusing

Focusing smooth. The focus ring is rotated 180 degrees, the front part of the lens is extended by 9 mm.  

Olympus OM-System Zuiko Auto-S 50 mm f / 1.4 Test & Sample Photos

I took all photos on a Nikon D3100 camera. RAW export without postprocessing.

Sharpness

The lens has good sharpness.

f/ 1.4 sharpness at close focus test 

Aperture f / 1.4 - 2 - 2.8 Crop 100%

At aperture f / 1.4, the lens has a portrait sharpness; at f / 2, sharpness increases. And at f/ 2.8 is enough for most scenes after f / 5,6 sharpness decreases due to diffraction.

f / 1.4 sharpness at infinity focus test 

Aperture 1.4 - 2 - 2.8 - 4. Crop 100%

From experience, I can say that the use of the aperture does not often cover more than f / 4.

Сharacter and bokeh

Lens has a nice character. 

f/ 1.4 

f/ 1.4

Bokeh is so beautiful. I like it more than the Olympus OM-System Zuiko Auto-S 50 mm f / 1.8.

f/ 1.4  

f/ 2.8

Contrast and Color Render

My copy of the latest release of the series and has multi-coating.  

f/ 1.4 

f/ 4 Contrast excellent. Backlit behaves well.  

Distortion and vignetting

Distortion in the normal range. Yet there are, like at all, high-aperture lenses. Also, it holds vignetting in the normal range. 

f/ 1.4  

Summary

Olympus OM-System Zuiko Auto-S 50 mm f / 1.4 is a great fast 50mm lens. I really like their character and bokeh.

F/ 1.4 Interesting for portraits and other art photography, which requires a small depth of field and beautiful bokeh.

f/ 4