new 4/3 lenses: 85/1.4 and 8/3.5

Actually, this lens is from korean maker Samyang, it´s also branded as Falcon, Bower, Vivitar...etc

The lens itself is not new, but the m4/3s mount is news....
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't an 85mm f1.4 lens practically the same as an FD 50mm f1.4? Or one of those odd Pentax normal primes that are closer to 40mm than 50mm?

And if its made by Samyang, doesn't this mean that an old prime lens + adapter is a better deal? Cost 220+ pounds - not cheap at all considering.
 
RandyQ-

I'll correct you. Harha.

It's not the same, because it's a longer lens... 35mm longer, which is quite significant. An 85 is an 85 is an 85 just as a 40 is a 40 not a 50. I guess I don't quite understand what you're trying to say/ask.
 
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Ron Rodenmeyer said:
RandyQ-

I'll correct you. Harha.

It's not the same, because it's a longer lens... 35mm longer, which is quite significant. An 85 is an 85 is an 85 just as a 40 is a 40 not a 50. I guess I don't quite understand what you're trying to say/ask.
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I see - the 85mm refers to the full frame focal length, and not factoring in the 4/3 crop factor. I thought it was a native 85mm 4/3 lens, meaning something close to 42.5mm in full frame terms.

This is why I was saying whats the point of it, when these old Pentax primes are about 45mm/f1.4 anyway, and much cheaper.
 
I know what you mean, RandyQ. It was confusing to me and many others no doubt as well. But as Late stated, all lenses are (or at least SHOULD) be rated and labeled based on the actual focal length. Different sensors will crop the lens differently. A 35mm still camera and full frame digital camera, for instance, will give a wider view than an APS-C (1.6x) or 4/3 or M4/3 (2x) camera. Make sense?

One thing that's important to remember is that we often like to compare our digital motion pictures to the gold standard of 35mm film. The APS-C sensor like on a 7D is nearly identical in size to a 35mm film camera and the M4/3 sensor is only slightly smaller. So what I'm saying is that an 85mm lens on a GH1 gives a very similar crop to a big time professional film camera.

As always, correct me where I'm wrong...even on small details. I (and we all) need to know the truth about these things.

Ron
 
Ron Rodenmeyer said:
A 35mm still camera and full frame digital camera, for instance, will give a wider view than an APS-C (1.6x) or 4/3 or M4/3 (2x) camera. Make sense?

... So what I'm saying is that an 85mm lens on a GH1 gives a very similar crop to a big time professional film camera.
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So if its 85mm in 35mm terms, then shouldn't the m4/3 crop factor make it equivalent to 170mm?
 
RandyQ said:
So if its 85mm in 35mm terms, then shouldn't the m4/3 crop factor make it equivalent to 170mm?
Click to expand...

That is correct, if by 35mm you mean still photography (like an old Nikon F1). To make things more confusing the sensor on 35mm motion picture cameras (Hollywood cameras) is smaller.

But understand it's just cropping the frame to make it look similar to what a 185mm would get on a 35mm camera. It's not zooming it in if that makes sense.
 
IMO all new lenses should list their Diagonal angle of view instead of their focal length, because 35mm-equivalent focal length is just misleading, especially for a lens specifically made for an image circle SMALLER than a 35mm-equivalent image circle. Even you guys sound confused, when I know you know what you're talking about.
 
Actually what this means is there should be a terminology that describes exactly what we mean - right now "35mm film equivalent focal length" is so clumsy and not entirely accurate, even if we all understand what we're talking about.

AND we all end up sounding confused, but we all know what we mean.

So yes, a diagonal angle of view will state it much better. As we speak I've got a chart on my wall that converts diagonal angle of view to common 35mm film SLR equivalents, so should be a good start.
 
ron rodenmeyer said:
i know what you mean, randyq. It was confusing to me and many others no doubt as well. But as late stated, all lenses are (or at least should) be rated and labeled based on the actual focal length. Different sensors will crop the lens differently. A 35mm still camera and full frame digital camera, for instance, will give a wider view than an aps-c (1.6x) or 4/3 or m4/3 (2x) camera. Make sense?

One thing that's important to remember is that we often like to compare our digital motion pictures to the gold standard of 35mm film. The aps-c sensor like on a 7d is nearly identical in size to a 35mm film camera and the m4/3 sensor is only slightly smaller. So what i'm saying is that an 85mm lens on a gh1 gives a very similar crop to a big time professional film camera.

As always, correct me where i'm wrong...even on small details. I (and we all) need to know the truth about these things.

Ron
Click to expand...
+1
 
Knowing what field of view is yielded with a given focal length and sensor/negative size is part of the cinematographer's skill set. Knowing that focal length is a constant number should be part of any photographer's skill set. There is no "85mm focal length in 35mm terms". Not even in still photography is the 135 format's field of view a golden norm and never has been. Ask any Hasselblad owner.
 
DanDOF said:
IMO all new lenses should list their Diagonal angle of view instead of their focal length, because 35mm-equivalent focal length is just misleading, especially for a lens specifically made for an image circle SMALLER than a 35mm-equivalent image circle. Even you guys sound confused, when I know you know what you're talking about.
Click to expand...

Nope, just simply confused here. Harha!
 
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