Olympus OM system close-up and macro equipment

Zuiko Auto-Macro Lens 50mm f/3.5

Introduction

The 50mm f/3.5 Macro Zuiko is a member of the first series of OM lenses, which were designed with an emphasis on small size and light weight without compromising performance, and it was the first macro lens for a 35mm camera that incorporated floating elements. The lens was designed for optimum performance at a magnification of ×0.1, and the floating elements minimise the aberrations that would normally be expected at higher and lower magnifications.

The lens can focus from infinity to ½ life size. With the addition of a 25 mm Auto Extension Tube, the focusing range can be altered to cover ½ life size to life size (1:1). The extended focusing range compared with a standard 50mm lens requires a longer focusing helicoid, and in order to accommodate this the front element is recessed, providing a built-in lens hood.

The non-macro Zuiko lenses have 2 focusing scales, one in feet with orange markings and the other in metres with white markings. The 50mm f/3.5 Macro Zuiko does not follow this pattern, and has a magnification scale with yellow markings plus one focusing scale in either feet (orange) or metres (white), and so there are separate versions with metric and Imperial focusing scales.

Versions

  1.  ZUIKO AUTO-MACRO 1:3.5 f=50mm  (silver nose) (101xxx, 102xxx, 104xxx, 105xxx, 106xxx, 107xxx, 108xxx, 109xxx, 110xxx, 111xxx, 112xxx, 113xxx, 114xxx, 115xxx, 116xxx, 117xxx, 118xxx, 119xxx, 120xxx, 121xxx, 122xxx, 123xxx, 124xxx, 125xxx, 126xxx, 127xxx)
    1. focusing scale in feet
    2. focusing scale in metres
  2.  ZUIKO AUTO-MACRO 1:3.5 f=50mm  (black nose) (127xxx)
    1. focusing scale in feet
    2. focusing scale in metres
  3.  ZUIKO MC AUTO-MACRO 1:3.5 f=50mm  (black nose) (131xxx, 132xxx, 133xxx, 134xxx, 135xxx, 136xxx, 137xxx, 138xxx, 139xxx, 140xxx, 141xxx, 142xxx, 143xxx, 144xxx, 145xxx, 146xxx, 147xxx, 148xxx, 149xxx, 150xxx, 151xxx, 152xxx, 154xxx, 155xxx, 156xxx, 157xxx, 158xxx, 159xxx, 160xxx, 161xxx, 162xxx, 163xxx, 164xxx, 165xxx, 166xxx, 167xxx, 168xxx, 169xxx, 170xxx, 171xxx, 172xxx, 173xxx, 174xxx, 175xxx, 176xxx, 177xxx, 178xxx, 179xxx, 180xxx, 181xxx, 182xxx, 183xxx, 184xxx, 185xxx, 186xxx, 187xxx, 188xxx, 189xxx, 191xxx, 192xxx, 193xxx, 194xxx, 195xxx, 197xxx, 198xxx, 199xxx, 201xxx, 202xxx)
    1. focusing scale in feet
    2. focusing scale in metres
  4.  ZUIKO AUTO-MACRO 50mm 1:3.5  (black nose) (203xxx, 204xxx, 205xxx, 206xxx, 207xxx, 208xxx, 209xxx, 210xxx, 212xxx, 213xxx, 214xxx, 215xxx, 216xxx, 217xxx, 218xxx, 219xxx, 220xxx, 221xxx, 222xxx, 223xxx, 224xxx, 225xxx, 228xxx, 229xxx, 230xxx, 231xxx, 232xxx, 233xxx, 234xxx, 235xxx, 238xxx, 239xxx, 240xxx, 242xxx, 243xxx, 244xxx, 245xxx, 246xxx, 248xxx, 249xxx, 250xxx, 251xxx, 252xxx, 253xxx, 254xxx, 255xxx, 256xxx, 257xxx, 260xxx, 263xxx)
    1. focusing scale in feet
    2. focusing scale in metres

These lenses occasionally appear on auction Web sites with black lettering around the front element, claiming to be a rare and collectable version. This is not correct. Olympus did not make any of these lenses with black lettering – the original white material has subsequently been removed or blacked out.

Features

Optimum performance ×0.1
Optimum range 0 – ×0.5
Lens elements 5
Lens groups 4
Floating elements Yes
Lens coating Silver nose: single coated
Black nose: single coated (very few); multicoated (nearly all)
Iris diaphragm Automatic
Iris blades 6
Maximum aperture f/3.5
Minimum aperture f/22
Focusing helicoid 25 mm
Minimum length 40 mm, 1.6 in
Maximum diameter 61 mm, 2.4 in
Weight 200 g, 7.1 oz
Mount OM bayonet
Focusing screens 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-4N, 1-5, 1-10, 1-13, 1-14, 2-4, 2-13
Front cap Standard 49 mm
Rear cap Standard OM
Case Hard imitation leather (early)
Soft pouch (late)
Hood None
(recessed front element)
Filter size 49 × 0.75 mm (screw-in)
US catalog no. 103-720
Introduced 1972
Discontinued 2002
Zuiko Auto-Macro Lens 50mm f/3.5
Zuiko Auto-Macro Lens 50mm f/3.5


Cross-section
Cross-section

Maximum magnification

Magnification ×0.5
Subject area 72×48 mm (2.8×1.9 in)
Working distance 114 mm

Maximum magnification (with 25 mm Extension Tube)

Magnification ×1
Subject area 36×24 mm
Working distance 63 mm

Accessories

A hard leather case was supplied with the lens. A Mirror Housing was made to fit this lens. The Handy Copy Stand provides a convenient way of holding the camera above a flat subject.

The Macro Flash Shoe Ring screws into the 49 mm filter mount, and takes the heads of the T28 Macro Twin Flash 1 or the T28 Macro Single Flash 1.

See also:    Close-up and Macro Photography – Macro Lenses

Going digital

When the Zuiko Auto-Macro 50mm f/3.5 is mounted (alone or with extension tubes) on a digital body using an OM/EOS or OM/Four Thirds adapters, the adapter changes the automatic diaphragm to manual click stops. When it is mounted on the Auto Bellows attached to a digital body, the only ways to close down the iris diaphragm are to use the cable release socket or the stop down lever on the lens mount of the bellows.

The following tables are based on those in the instruction leaflet, with the field of view (subject area) adjusted for different sensor sizes.

Magnification and field of view for 22.2×14.8 mm APS-C sensor

(Cameras such as Canon EOS 40D)

Zuiko Auto-Macro 50mm f/3.5
Magnification 0.1 0.125 0.14 0.166 0.2 0.25 0.33 0.4 0.5
Lens engraving 1 : 10 1 : 8 1 : 7 1 : 6 1 : 5 1 : 4 1 : 3 1 : 2.5 1 : 2
Subject area (mm) 222 × 148 177.6 × 118.4 155.4 × 103.6 133.2 × 88.8 111 × 74 88.8 × 59.2 66.6 × 44.4 55.5 × 37 44.4 × 29.6
Lens to subject distance (cm) 53.0 42.6 38.1 31.6 27.0 21.8 16.6 14.0 11.4
Zuiko Auto-Macro 50mm f/3.5 + Extension Tube 25
Magnification 0.49 0.59 0.62 0.63 0.66 0.69 0.74 0.83 0.89 1.00
Lens engraving 1 : ∞ 1 : 10 1 : 8 1 : 7 1 : 6 1 : 5 1 : 4 1 : 3 1 : 2.5 1 : 2
Subject area (mm) 45.3 × 30.2 37.6 × 25.1 35.8 × 23.9 35.2 × 23.5 33.3 × 22.2 32.2 × 21.4 30.0 × 20.0 26.7 × 17.8 24.9 × 16.6 22.2 × 14.8
Lens to subject distance (cm) 11.8 10.0 9.6 9.4 9.1 8.7 8.1 7.4 6.9 6.3
        Recommended range.         For the range outside the shaded area, the Zuiko Auto-1:1 Macro 80mm f/4 is recommended.

Magnification and field of view for 17.3×13.0 mm Four-Thirds sensor

(Cameras such as Olympus E-series and Micro Four Thirds)

Zuiko Auto-Macro 50mm f/3.5
Magnification 0.1 0.125 0.14 0.166 0.2 0.25 0.33 0.4 0.5
Lens engraving 1 : 10 1 : 8 1 : 7 1 : 6 1 : 5 1 : 4 1 : 3 1 : 2.5 1 : 2
Subject area (mm) 173 × 130 138 × 104 121.1 × 91 103.8 × 78 86.5 × 65 69.2 × 52 51.9 × 39 43.25 × 32.5 34.6 × 26
Lens to subject distance (cm) 53.0 42.6 38.1 31.6 27.0 21.8 16.6 14.0 11.4
Zuiko Auto-Macro 50mm f/3.5 + Extension Tube 25
Magnification 0.49 0.59 0.62 0.63 0.66 0.69 0.74 0.83 0.89 1.00
Lens engraving 1 : ∞ 1 : 10 1 : 8 1 : 7 1 : 6 1 : 5 1 : 4 1 : 3 1 : 2.5 1 : 2
Subject area (mm) 35.3 × 26.5 29.3 × 22.0 27.9 × 21.0 27.5 × 20.6 26.0 × 19.5 25.1 × 18.8 23.4 × 17.6 20.8 × 15.7 19.4 × 14.6 17.3 × 13.0
Lens to subject distance (cm) 11.8 10.0 9.6 9.4 9.1 8.7 8.1 7.4 6.9 6.3
        Recommended range.         For the range outside the shaded area, the Zuiko Auto-1:1 Macro 80mm f/4 is recommended.

Instruction leaflet

Reproduced with permission from the copyright owner, Olympus Optical Co., Ltd
Printed 0578

ZUIKO MC AUTO-MACRO 1:3.5 f=50mm

Generally in close distance photography a standard focal length lens is used in conjunction with attachment lens or auto bellows. This Macro F3.5 is designed primarily for close focusing to meet the photographer’s most exacting definition demands for close-ups, copying work and macro-photography. Usually in lenses of this type the lens barrel tends to become elongated at the closest focusing distance, but the design of this lens made a very compact configuration possible. Additionally, this is the first time that an automatic correction lens group that compensates for close distance aberrations has been built into a macro lens. Because of this new design, this lens produces resolution comparable to that of a standard or normal lens throughout the focusing range. The lens is multicoated.

Its reproduction ratio is from 1/10 to 1/2 life size without attachments. With Extension Tube 25, it extends the limitation from 1/2 to 1:1 life size. But to get best results, it is recommended to use 1:1 Macro 80mm F4 in conjunction with Auto Bellows.

Compatible focusing screens are 1-1, 1-5, 1-10 and 1-13.

The 1-5 (microprism-clear field type) offers a brighter image, but the meter built into the OM-1 and OM-2 (on MANUAL) does not give correct light readings. With the OM-2 on AUTO, correct exposures are made on the film, but the meter needle does not give correct light readings.

• Depth of Field Table

F stop Distance scale — Camera-to subject distance (metre)
*0.23 *0.25 *0.3 *0.4 *0.5 *0.7 *1 2 *3 *∞
3.5 0.23–0.23 0.25–0.25 0.30–0.30 0.40–0.40 0.49–0.51 0.68–0.72 0.96–1.04 1.85–2.17 2.67–3.42 23.21–∞
4 0.23–0.23 0.25–0.25 0.30–0.30 0.40–0.40 0.49–0.51 0.68–0.72 0.96–1.04 1.83–2.20 2.63–3.49 20.32–∞
5.6 0.23–0.23 0.25–0.25 0.30–0.30 0.39–0.41 0.49–0.51 0.67–0.73 0.93–1.06 1.77–2.29 2.51–3.74 14.53–∞
8 0.23–0.23 0.25–0.25 0.30–0.30 0.39–0.41 0.48–0.52 0.66–0.74 0.92–1.09 1.69–2.45 2.34–4.18 10.19–∞
11 0.23–0.23 0.25–0.25 0.29–0.31 0.39–0.41 0.48–0.52 0.65–0.76 0.90–1.13 1.60–2.68 2.17–4.91 7.43–∞
16 0.23–0.23 0.25–0.25 0.29–0.31 0.38–0.42 0.47–0.54 0.63–0.79 0.86–1.20 1.47–3.17 1.93–6.93 5.12–∞
22 0.23–0.23 0.24–0.26 0.29–0.31 0.38–0.43 0.46–0.55 0.61–0.82 0.81–1.31 1.34–4.07 1.70–13.81 3.74–∞

Figures with * are engraved on the distance scale.
Circle of least confusion 1/30mm.

• Depth of Field Table

F stop Distance scale — Camera–to subject distance (feet)
*9″ *10″ *1 *1.25 *1.5 *2 *3 *4 *6 8 10 *∞
3.5 0.75–0.75 0.83–0.83 0.99–1.01 1.24–1.26 1.48–1.52 1.96–2.04 2.90–3.10 3.82–4.19 5.60–6.47 7.28–8.88 8.89–11.43 75.74–∞
4 0.75–0.75 0.83–0.83 0.99–1.01 1.24–1.26 1.48–1.52 1.96–2.05 2.89–3.12 3.80–4.22 5.54–6.54 7.19–9.02 8.74–11.67 66.35–∞
5.6 0.75–0.75 0.83–0.83 0.99–1.01 1.23–1.27 1.47–1.53 1.94–2.07 2.85–3.17 3.73–4.32 5.38–6.79 6.91–9.51 8.34–12.51 47.53–∞
8 0.75–0.75 0.82–0.84 0.99–1.01 1.22–1.28 1.46–1.55 1.91–2.10 2.79–3.25 3.62–4.47 5.15–7.20 6.53–10.35 7.79–14.03 33.36–∞
11 0.74–0.76 0.82–0.84 0.98–1.02 1.21–1.29 1.44–1.56 1.88–2.13 2.72–3.35 3.50–4.68 4.89–7.78 6.11–11.63 7.19–16.54 24.33–∞
16 0.74–0.76 0.82–0.84 0.97–1.03 1.20–1.31 1.42–1.60 1.84–2.20 2.61–3.54 3.31–5.08 4.52–9.01 5.53–14.70 6.38–23.63 16.79–∞
22 0.74–0.76 0.81–0.85 0.96–1.04 1.18–1.33 1.39–1.64 1.78–2.29 2.49–3.80 3.11–5.67 4.14–11.14 4.96–21.55 5.63–49.01 12.26–∞

Figures with * are engraved on the distance scale.
Circle of least confusion 1/760in.

OLYMPUS
OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO. LTD.
43-2 Hatagaya 2-chome, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Manual for Macrophotography Group

Reproduced with permission from the copyright owner, Olympus Optical Co., Ltd
Printed 0777

REFERENCE TABLES FOR AUTO BELLOWS (2)

Zuiko Macro 50mm F3.5
(No Auto Bellows. Green shading indicates the most recommended application range for this lens.)

  Magnification Index engraved on the lens Image magnification Distance from film to subject (cm) Distance from lens to subject (cm) Subject area covered (mm) Exposure factor
Only with Macro 50mm 1 : 10 0.1× 62.2 53.0 240×360 1.2×
1 : 8 0.13× 51.9 42.6 192×288 1.3×
1 : 7 0.14× 47.5 38.1 168×252 1.3×
1 : 6 0.17× 41.1 31.6 144×216 1.4×
1 : 5 0.20× 36.7 27.0 120×180 1.4×
1 : 4 0.25× 31.7 21.8 90×144 1.6×
1 : 3 0.33× 27.0 16.6 72×108 1.8×
1 : 2.5 0.40× 24.7 14.0 60×90 2.0×
1 : 2 0.50× 22.6 11.4 48×72 2.3×
With Macro 50mm plus Close-up 49mm f=40cm 1 : 3 0.47× 22.5 11.6 51×77 2.2×
1 : 2.5 0.60× 20.7 9.1 40×60 2.6×
1 : 2 0.64× 20.4 8.7 38×56 2.7×
With Macro 50mm plus Extension Tube 25 1 : ∞ 0.49× 22.9 11.8 49×73 2.2×
1 : 10 0.59× 21.6 10.0 41×61 2.5×
1 : 8 0.62× 21.4 9.6 39×58 2.6×
1 : 7 0.63× 21.3 9.4 38×57 2.7×
1 : 6 0.66× 21.1 9.1 36×55 2.8×
1 : 5 0.69× 20.9 8.7 35×52 2.9×
1 : 4 0.74× 20.6 8.1 32×49 3.0×
1 : 3 0.83× 20.3 7.4 29×43 3.3×
1 : 2.5 0.89× 20.1 6.9 27×40 3.6×
1 : 2 1.00× 20.0 6.3 24×36

For the range outside the shaded area, Zuiko 1:1 Macro 80mm F4 is specially recommended.

OLYMPUS
OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD.
43-2 Hatagaya 2-chome, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan

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Created 18th May 2001   —   Updated 28th February 2021
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Olympus OM system close-up and macro equipment