The zuiko 50mm f/1.8 has gone through a number of versions over the years. I currently have 3 examples of the lens. 2 early f. zuiko silver nose single coated lenses and 1 later model made in Japan Multicoated version. One of the silver nosed lenses I received with my OM-1 from my father. Another one someone added as a bonus when I purchased another lens from him. The made in Japan version I received attached to the OM-1n my wide got for me for christmas (okay, I picked it out and I also bought it off Ebay, but it was the thought that counted as it really came out of left field when she said she wanted to buy me another camera, but that she didn’t know enough to pickout a good example). Because of this I don’t really have a price for any of the lenses.
The older version of the 50mm f/1.8 weighs in at 5.8oz and is 1.2″ in length. The newer version is just a touch heavier and longer, but by very small fractions.
Both of the silver nose 50mm f/1.8s are quite acceptable at all aperatures in terms of sharpness, but they do seem better stopped down a couple of stops rather then wide open. They are extremely small and light lenses that can easily fit in a pocket with the lens caps on.
The made in Japan version of the 50mm f/1.8 is considered sought after because it is often claimed to be the best example of the 50mm f/1.8 and to be extremely sharp. I haven’t done any deffinitive tests to prove this, but it does appear sharper then the silver nosed versions at all aperatures, especially when wide open, which is quite sharp.
Below is a sample of one of my silver nose 50mm f/1.8s, it is stopped down to probably f/5.6
This one is from my Made In Japan multicoated 50 f/1.8
Here is a picture for size comparison of the 50mm f/1.8 large
