Lenses for Olympus OM-D- E-M5 III: Always been confused about aftermarket lenses for my E-M5 III. Are there any? Do I need some sort of adapter? Would like all functions to work like...

Russch

Always been confused about aftermarket lenses for my E-M5 III. Are there any? Do I need some sort of adapter? Would like all functions to work like the Original Equipment. Thanks for the help.

sergiohm

There are many, basically any micro four-thirds mount lens will fit.
Olympus native lenses may provide additional stabilization and generally focus faster.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Russch wrote:

Always been confused about aftermarket lenses for my E-M5 III. Are there any? Do I need some sort of adapter? Would like all functions to work like the Original Equipment. Thanks for the help.

Is there something about Olympus lenses you don't like? (Personally I love my Olympus lenses ;)) )

The OM-D E-M5 mii is a Micro 4/3 format camera. ANY micro-4/3 lens will work and there are many many available from Panasonic, Olympus and other manufacturers.

If you are referring to the old film 4/3 format lenses, the difference between Micro-4/3 and 4/3 is that Micro-4/3 does not have a mirror and the camera body is thinner, thus the lens mount is thus closer to the sensor. The 4/3 film lenses will work on a Micro-4/3 body but you need to use an adaptor.

The adaptor is basically an extension, it holds the lens farther away from the body, similar to the Nikon F2Z adaptor (which came 10 years later LOL).

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Try Panasonic or Tamron… but why? I have the same camera and never felt the need for 3rd party.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Russch wrote:

Always been confused about aftermarket lenses for my E-M5 III. Are there any? Do I need some sort of adapter? Would like all functions to work like the Original Equipment. Thanks for the help.

You can use M4/3 lenses just the way they are, as the E-M5 is a M4/3 system.
You can also use 4/3 lenses with an adapter.

My first Olympus camera was an E-5. Heavy beast! At the time, I got 3 or 4 lenses for that camera.
Then switched to the OM-D E-M1 and a bit later also bought the OM-D E-M1. I did get a few lenses in M4/3 format, then bought an adapter and now can use the both 4/3 and M4/3 lenses with that camera!
I'm a happy camper.
Now wishing covid would pack its suitcase and go home so we can move freely again to get to the places where I like to take photos!

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

Russch wrote:

Always been confused about aftermarket lenses for my E-M5 III. Are there any? Do I need some sort of adapter? Would like all functions to work like the Original Equipment. Thanks for the help.

Only Olympus lenses will have ALL the functions available on your m5.

Pro tip: Get the the 12-100 f/4 and you'll hardly ever use a different lens.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Russch wrote:

Always been confused about aftermarket lenses for my E-M5 III. Are there any? Do I need some sort of adapter? Would like all functions to work like the Original Equipment. Thanks for the help.

There are only two possible adapters even for Olympus micro 4/3rds bodies. One adapts Zuiko film lenses to micro 4/3rds. The other Olympus adapter allows standard 4/3rds lenses to be adapted to the micro 4/3rds bodies. Other than those two adapters, one for film lenses and one for 4/3rds lenses, no adapters are needed for micro 4/3rds lenses. All micro 4/3rds lenses, from all brands, will work on all micro 4/3rds for basic functions. Some functions, like dual image stabilization, will not be carried over. But I consider that minor for the ability of 100% compatability of the optics.

There are adapters to adapt full frame and APS-C lenses to 4/3rds, but I cannot vouch for compatibility other than the optics should work.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

moonhawk wrote:

Only Olympus lenses will have ALL the functions available on your m5.

Pro tip: Get the the 12-100 f/4 and you'll hardly ever use a different lens.

Ha Ha... My dilemma; already have 12-40 and want 12-100. I NEVER sell and I know 12-40 will sit in drawer if I buy 12-100... Seems like a GREAT everyday setup for 90% of situations and V.Sharp from all reviews....

Russch

Thanks. This information is very helpful

Hip Coyote

MrBob wrote:

Ha Ha... My dilemma; already have 12-40 and want 12-100. I NEVER sell and I know 12-40 will sit in drawer if I buy 12-100... Seems like a GREAT everyday setup for 90% of situations and V.Sharp from all reviews....

I have the 12-100. It is an amazing lens for nearly every purpose. The 7-14 pro is another heavy but amazing lens. It has a very special quality that I can’t quite describe.

But I also have a few primes and the light weight Oly 14-150. It is ok for travel and is weather sealed. A very good hiking set up. I really don’t understand the whole adapter thing etc. the native lenses are very good. I buy mostly used (a very good copy of the 12 and 45) and do so rather in expensively. For me the Oly m43 set up is nearly perfect.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

MrBob wrote:

Ha Ha... My dilemma; already have 12-40 and want 12-100. I NEVER sell and I know 12-40 will sit in drawer if I buy 12-100... Seems like a GREAT everyday setup for 90% of situations and V.Sharp from all reviews....

And the 12-100 is capable of 1/2 lifesize.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

wdross wrote:

And the 12-100 is capable of 1/2 lifesize.

What does that mean? Please explain.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Hip Coyote wrote:

I really don’t understand the whole adapter thing

The adapter allows you to use legacy 4/3 film lenses on your Micro-4/3 camera body.

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

JD750 wrote:

What does that mean? Please explain.

If you take an image if an object that is, say, 1 cm in diameter, the image on your sensor (or film, in the old days) would be 1/2 cm in diameter, focused at maximum magnification, or closest possible focus distance.

A lens is considered true macro if it can reproduce that image at 1:1 on the image plane, in our example, 1 cm.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

moonhawk wrote:

If you take an image if an object that is, say, 1 cm in diameter, the image on your sensor (or film, in the old days) would be 1/2 cm in diameter, focused at maximum magnification, or closest possible focus distance.

A lens is considered true macro if it can reproduce that image at 1:1 on the image plane, in our example, 1 cm.

Ah!! 💡 Ok thank you for explaining that.