Adapted Lenses on E-PL1

Cameras such as the GF1 and E-PL1 from Panasonic and Olympus, respectively, are using the new Micro 4/3 format standard, which is a type of Electronic Viewfinder, Interchangeable Lens (EVIL) camera. Despite the dubious acronym, the "EVIL" concept is intriguing as it provides DSLR image quality in a smaller, prosumer point-n-shoot like body accomplished by removing the mirror box and optical viewfinder. A side effect of this is a reduction in the flange focal distance (aka flange-to-film distance or back-of-the-lens-to-film/sensor distance in layman's term), which allows the "EVIL" camera to accept and (manually) focus almost any mass-produced lens via adapters. This means, you can use your daddy's film camera lenses on your brand spanking new Olympus E-PL1 or the soon-to-be available Sony NEX3/5.

Here are some benefits in using lenses via adapters:

• use your old film camera lenses on your digital camera
• more lens selection outside of your camera's manufacturer's repertoire
• access to (more) exotic lenses
• more opportunity to buy lenses from the second hand market
• better tactile feedback from mechanical focus and aperture ring control
• ability to use non-film camera lenses, such as TV (c-mount) lenses
• adapters are relatively cheap

Of course, there are bound to be some down sides:

• adapters add bulk
• almost always manual focus only
• inability to change aperture setting of lenses without an aperture ring
• having to mix and match lenses and adapters
• cropped images (because of the smaller sensor)
• heavy lenses lacking composite materials
• less refinement in image quality from vintage lenses due to dated coating/manufacturing/correction/etc. techniques
• vignetting when using c-mount lenses

Most adapters are physical interfaces only, i.e. they only re-size the mount and extend the flange focal distance to allow lens-body coupling, but there are some with electronic contacts to retain features such as, auto-focus and automatic/manual aperture control via the camera body. An example of such adapter is the Panasonic DMW-MA1, which allows a micro 4/3 camera to use standard/non-micro 4/3 lenses while for the most part retaining auto-focus functionality and most of the EXIF data.



Above are the following lenses:

• Minolta MD 50mm f1.4
• Vivitar (Minolta MD mount) 28mm f2.8 close focus
• Minolta MD 45mm f2
• Canon FD 85mm f1.8
• Olympus 4/3 (standard, non-micro) 40-150mm; mounted via an electronic adapter