Digilux 3: Using Olympus 1.4x tele converter with kit lens

[dist]

Hello all,
I thought I'd let you know about this. I have been in the market for a moderate tele lens for the D3, but found it odd that all available offerings were devoid of OIS - I mean, where if not in a moderate tele lens would you need it most?
So I decided to shell out the money for the Oly tele converter and to use it with the kit lens for the time being; if at a later time (budget permitting) I'll bite the bullet and go for one of the faster tele lenses out there, having the converter around won't hurt either.
First impression: sturdy build quality, quite hefty feel to it, a solid piece of equipment.
Second impression: focal length modification and loss of one f stop are accurately communicated to the camera, hence the EXIF information is spot on. I tried a couple of shots today, with the kit lens set to tele all the way (obviously) and "wide open" (which, of course, means 3.5 for the kit lens as is, and (3.5*sqrt(2)) which comes out as 4.9, with the converter in place.
Made me wonder if that kind of lame "wide open" would leave any latitude for selective focus. Moreover I wondered if the crummy little viewfinder would let me do any MF'ing at all.

Well, what can I say, I was pleasantly surprised. From the look of it, overall picture quality doesn't suffer from using the converter (given the price tag it better hadn't ). I am enclosing a few shots (#3 is #2 cropped, of course). No artistic judgment please...

Cheers,
- Dieter

[Bo_Lorentzen]

OH no, I never even thought about that... I may need one of those. (smile) the results look great, and the de-focus nice and pleasant. Interesting defocus on the right side branch. seems like there is a branch behind it.?

Did you get a feeling for how the OIS works with the extender..? was the effect as expected..? were you able to shoot handheld at long shutter times.?

Bo

My Leica scratch page - random thoughts , pictures and such.

[dist]

Originally Posted by Bo_Lorentzen

OH no, I never even thought about that... I may need one of those. (smile) the results look great, and the de-focus nice and pleasant. Interesting defocus on the right side branch. seems like there is a branch behind it.?

Indeed there is (another branch behind it pointing more or less in the same direction). Like you, I was surprised with the selective focus ("bokeh" springs to mind here )

Did you get a feeling for how the OIS works with the extender..? was the effect as expected..? were you able to shoot handheld at long shutter times.?

My gut feeling is that the OIS works exactly like the extender wasn't there. You can hear the little gyros and motors whizzing as usual. I tried a few handhelds down to 1/20 with no ill effects but I can't say I really put the OIS through its paces. My main focus (pun intended) today was shooting wide open.
Cheers,
- Dieter

[spylaw4]

This looks great! Could be very useful! form what you have posted there doesn't seem to be much vignetting. Were these RAW or JPEg files? Can you post the exact model number of the converter? Thanks!!

[dist]

Originally Posted by spylaw4

This looks great! Could be very useful! form what you have posted there doesn't seem to be much vignetting. Were these RAW or JPEg files? Can you post the exact model number of the converter? Thanks!!

Those were no frills JPEGs. The converter is Olympus EC-14 (says so on the box).
The Leica/Pana kit lens is not explicitly listed as compatible. What the hey, might as well post the list of lenses specified:

ED300mm F2.8
ED50-200mm F2.8-3.5
ED7-14mm F4.0 (beats me why anyone would want to use this combo
14-54mm F2.8-3.5 (since the Leica kit lens is pretty similar I figured this might work)
11-22mm F2.8-3.5

ED50mm F2.0Macro, ED150mm F2.0: Applicable when the composite value of f-number is f4.0 or more (in other words you have to stop down to 2.8 which will give you 4.0 with the converter)

14-45mm F3.5-5.6, 40-150mm F3.5-4.5: Applicable in MF mode.
More than one EC-14 can not be used.
Cannot be used in conjunction with the optional EX-25 extension tube.

Hope this helps.
Later,
- Dieter

[spylaw4]

Pricey item!

[dist]

Originally Posted by spylaw4

Pricey item!

Well, yes and no... it's only 2.5 times the asking price of a Leica M8 to R adapter LOL... and the latter does nothing in terms of autofocus and stuff, it's basically just a piece of (allegedly very well machined) metal. The tele converter is a lens in its own right (and priced accordingly, I grant you that..), 6 lenses in 5 groups.

[spylaw4]

Point taken! I must admit that it does tempt as it maintains the OIS etc.

[dist]

Here's another one from this morning. I wasn't quite sure about focusing at infinity (which appears to be a problem when using converters with lenses not specifically approved) so I tried a few. Looks good enough to me. No noticeable vignetting or any other type of distortion either. Guess we've got ourselves a happy camper here

[bohtho]

For everyone considering four thirds teleconverters for the Digilux 3, Olympus announced an 2x teleconverter today, Olympus E-1 successor hinting continues: Digital Photography Review

It will be interesting to see the pricing on this..

[dist]

Thanks for the heads up. Interesting.
Anyway, it looks like we won't be seeing Zuiko OIS glass any time soon, what with the image stabilizer built into the new Oly bodies

[bohtho]

Well, the 410 still has no internal OIS, besides Panaleica may still insist on using Panasonic´s Mega OIS (in possible future lenses and hence not in new bodies).

Of course the best thing would be if they could just make a Mega OIS adapter in the size of a teleconverter for the four thirds system.. then bodies and lenses wouldn´t matter