Andrey Popatanasov , Dec 27, 2011; 04:43 p.m.
After long search on the internet I couldn't find an answer so far and finally settled to become official member to this knowledgeable worldwide community.
So I started making plans for the next year and I think to get some fast zoom and small APS-C sensor camera (like NEX 7 or NX200). So my attention was caught by the highly praised Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-35mm f/2.0 as the only available candidate for my set up.
I know this is a lens for the four thirds system but it's image circle diameter is just 6mm smaller than the APS-C's one. So may be it will cover from some focal length the APS-C image circle if not from 14mm (for example I already have Tokina 10-17mm and it can cover FX sensor from, say, 15mm onward).
Did anyone tried Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-35mm f/2.0 on APS-C sensor camera (like Sony NEX, Samsung NX etc) to confirm that this combination is without "black corners" in the pictures?
Also I'm worried that I don't see an aperture lever on the lens - but I'll think about that later, in case I get confirmation from some of you that this lens-camera combo is optically without the above issue.
Thanks,
Andy
Leslie Cheung 
, Dec 27, 2011; 11:39 p.m.
I have not seen or heard of such adapter if there is one...never mind how crazy such big lens would look on the puny nex.
Steven F , Dec 28, 2011; 02:14 a.m.
I don't have the NEX or the lens you are asking about but in my opinion, it is likely that vignetting will occur. However there is another issue that you might have not considered. The 14-35 has electric focus and electric aperture control. To use the lens on A NEX you will have to manually focus and you would have no control of the aperture. It would always be at F2.0. Smaller apertures would not be available. Very few lenses made today have apertures levers that were the hallmark of mechanical apertures.
Andrey Popatanasov , Dec 28, 2011; 04:29 a.m.
@Leslie Cheung:
The adapter doesn't bother me much - I have a friend with lathe who can make me at least a cylinder with the needed length and diameter on which I can attach the bayonets. As for the size of the combo I fully agree that anything else than a pancake lens will be awkward but there's no substitute for speed and quality on glass - we can't violate the physical laws unless we want to go in too much compromises...
@Steven F:
The electric focus is not troubling me since I'm used to the manual focusing on my Nikon DSLRs...Although I still don't know how good is the electronic viewfinder of the EVILs for manual focusing.
The electric aperture control is the second main thing that concerns me after the vignetting.... The good thing is that the aperture of the unmounted Zuiko lens is at it's widest position (unlike the G-type Nikkors)...which is were I plan to use it most.
Later if find that this lens is a good value for my purposes I may search for a way how to control the aperture without Olympus body and may try to modify it....But first I need to know if I can use it the way I want to since it's quite far from being a cheap lens.
harvey steeves 
, Dec 28, 2011; 09:41 a.m.
although perhaps not in the same league, have you considered instead a Sony 16-35/2.8 with the adapter? Not sure about the size difference and perhaps not equal in optical quality and definitely in lens speed but you do get much greater functionality.
Andrey Popatanasov , Dec 28, 2011; 12:21 p.m.
Well, Sony 16-35/2.8 is a good lens and it seems will keep its operationallity with the new LA-adapter on NEX body. But the thing is that I already have the similarly excellent Nikon 16-35/4G and I'm not willing to divorce yet with my Nikon DSLR system.
In fact if I find that this Olympus 14-35/2 lens covers well the APS-C image sensor than I may decide to try to convert it for Nikon F mount (thus I can use it in both camps). I guess it would be quite hard and somehow risky but it seems to be quite good lens and thus worth the try. Of course, if I find some not that steep, may be non-operational second hand copy.
R.T. Dowling 
, Dec 28, 2011; 10:47 p.m.
Many of Olympus' Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds lenses use a "focus by wire" system, in which turning the focus ring actually operates the lens' internal focus motor. If you mount the lens on a non-Four Thirds / non-Micro Four Thirds camera with an adapter, the lens will not receive any electricity from the camera and I assume you would therefore have no way to focus the lens manually.
So, I guess the first order of business would be to find out if the 14-35 (or any other Olympus lenses you might be considering) has a "real" manual focus ring or if the manual focus is "by wire."
Andrey Popatanasov , Dec 29, 2011; 01:32 p.m.
Thanks for pointing that to me. I haven't thought about it....it seems the project becomes more complex than I initially expected to (in worst case I wanted to replace the lens bayonet)... But the lens seems to be quite good and I'm picky about the IQ so it's a good match for me.
I guess even if the focus is "by wire" still the motor is rotating some tube or helicoid inside. So even in that case I guess it would be possible to remove the motor unit and replace it with mechanical mechanism to transmit the rotation of the focus ring to the respective focusing unit inside the lens... This in some way is a good thing since the lens will get lighter, but the bad thing is that it will be hard to resell it if necessary (but that is why I do such extensive research before I go on buying it)...
It seems the best for now is to find the service manual or the parts diagram of the lens... Any suggestions where I can get it?....Unlike the Nikkors and OMs the schematics for Zuiko Digital lenses are almost absent on the I-net..
Andrey Popatanasov , Dec 30, 2011; 06:34 a.m.
Good News: According to Matthew Robertson and DPReview the manual focus is not "focus by wire" but the old fashion way - it works when the camera is off or lens is unmounted....
So the main question is still open - will it vignette unacceptably on APS-C sensor camera?
Greg Chappell , Dec 31, 2011; 12:57 a.m.
Zuiko lenses with the SWD motors have mechanically-linked focus rings, and the 14-35mm f2 is one such lens, so it will manually focus just fine. The problem is, the lens is only designed to cover the four-thirds sensor, which is more square than the aps-c sensor. I don't think it's going to cover very well on either long end of the sensor.
