Olympus OM Lenses for Canon EOS


Many manual-focus lenses from other manufacturers can be used on Canon EOS camera bodies - see Using Manual Focus Lenses on Canon EOS bodies.  In addition to focusing manually, you must also manage your aperture manually and use stop-down metering.  However, there are benefits: you may be able to use your old lenses, you can purchase cost-effective lenses on eBay, or you can use some of the high-quality lenses produced by Contax (Zeiss), Nikon, or Olympus (OM Zuiko).  Even if you have a collection of Canon L glass, you may want to select alternative glass for certain image qualities.

The Olympus OM Zuiko lenses are particularly attractive, combining high optical quality, affordability and compactness. Here are some of my acquisitions from eBay, price does not include shipping:

Make
 Focal Length
 Aperture
 Description
 Date
 Price
Olympus
 28mm
 f/2.8
 OM-System Zuiko MC Auto-W
 07/16/08
 $24.98
Olympus 28mm
 f/3.5
 OM-System G.Zuiko Auto-W
 10/04/08
 $39.99
Olympus 35mm
 f/2.8
 OM-System G.Zuiko Auto-W
 09/13/08
 $51.00
Olympus 50mm
 f/1.4
 OM-System G.Zuiko Auto-S
 11/02/08
 $17.51
Olympus 50mm
 f/1.8
 OM-System F.Zuiko Auto-S
 09/21/08
 $23.76
Olympus 135mm
 f/3.5
 OM-System E.Zuiko Auto-T
 10/06/08
 $21.01
Vivitar

Automatic Tele Converter 2X-21
 10/07/08
 $9.99



AF-Confirm Adapter for Olympus OM lens Canon EOS camera 07/16/08
 £13.50

For a good reference on Olympus OM Zuiko lenses, see Olympus Shared Resources - Zuiko Lenses.

An appropriate adapter is required, and I recommend acquiring an adapter with a focus-confirmation chip.  I bought mine from an eBay seller located in Hong Kong.  Compared to full-frame cameras, crop cameras like the 20D have a small view finder, so focus confirmation is appreciated.  However, I didn't like the loose fit of the adapter, and I was unsatisfied until I read a forum posting describing how to adjust the adapter for a better fit.  I searched for the posting, but could not find it, so here is my description.

How to adjust your loose manual-focus lens adapter for Canon EOS mount so that it has a tighter fit between the lens and the camera body.
OM adapter for Canon EOS adjust

Push the blade of a small screw driver into the slot on the spring and expand it to fit.  Please be careful with your adjustments.  I suggest a very small expansion adjustment, followed by a test fit.  Adjust each of the three springs, repeating until you get the fit that you desire.  Click the image above for a larger version.

I also recommend a custom focusing screen for manual focus, see Katz Eye Optics.

For a discussion forum on alternative lenses, see FM Forum - Alternative Gear & Lenses.

NoBell Home - gjm - last update 11/10/2008, created 10/24/2008