You have to figure in that some of these lenses tested, such as the 28 F2 with its floating element/close focus correction design and of course the Macros will perform better in his tests which are at 1:40 magnification compared to the more traditional designs which are often optimized for infinity.
Cableaddict wrote:
Mike, I'm satring at a lab test of all the Zuiko lenses (found somewhere on line.)
It shows the 28/2 to be slightly sharper overall than the 2.8, both center & edge. However, it also rates it as having "moderate" barrel distortion, whereas the 2.8 has "mild" distortion.
It says the f/2 also has very high vignetting at wide open, but almost none by 2.8.
additional notes:
"Notes: Remarkable contrast at larger apertures, high resolution at expense of contrast stopped down, with moderately low to moderate contrast by f/16. Remarkable performance at f/4. One of the sharpest Zuiko lenses."
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This test also shows very clearly how superior many of the later Zuiko versions are to the early ones, which is probably why some folks are knocked-out by their 24/2.8 and 28/3.5's....Show more →
Thanks...I'm pretty sure that I was looking at the same info before I made the purchase ($200 for lens, hood, caps, case, etc seemed just too good a deal to let go). I was hoping to get some feedback on how the lens performs on a 5D...the Olympus test info relates to OM film bodies and, as far as I can tell, some of the OM bodies were dogs. I guess that can wait until I take delivery...I'll have the 28/2, 28/2.8, and the 28/3.5 for my own comparative purposes (which means that I'll probably shed at least one of them). I realize there are better lenses out there, such as the Elmarit 28, but for now I'm interested in how the Oly 28/2 performs.
I think that sounds like a great plan, Mike, and I look forward to your observations.
One thing to note about fast wides, and maybe I'm the only one who feels this way, is that their intended purpose is only really properly evaluated at all usable apertures and shooting situations. In other words, I am less interested in how it compares to other 28s stopped down to f8 and higher on landscape shots than I am in knowing how it performs at f2, in low-light pub shots, etc. Again, maybe I am alone, but if I want 28/2, I probably want to use it at f2 a lot.
Sure, it would be the best of both worlds if it was sharp corner-to-corner at f11, with negligible distortion and other aberrations (doubling as a great landscape lens) but I wouldn't necessarily be disappointed if that wasn't the case and I had to own another 28 (or maybe a 24) for landscape purposes. As long as it is impressive at f2 (and I'm only asking for the central 2/3rds of the image circle ).
cogitech wrote:
I am less interested in how it compares to other 28s stopped down to f8 and higher on landscape shots than I am in knowing how it performs at f2, in low-light pub shots, etc. Again, maybe I am alone, but if I want 28/2, I probably want to use it at f2 a lot.
While there's some validity to that, of course, it's also true that many (most?) fast primes are sharper at f/4 or f/8 than the slightly slower lens at that same aperture. Additionally, they will of course have less vignetting than the slower lens, apertures being equal.
With rare exceptions, they tend to be better lenses.
So, it comes down to price, plus the convenience of having one less less in your bag.
Ok, I'm also in.
I have bought Oly 28/3.5, 24/2.8, and 50/1.8 all MC versions and my 5D is on the way too. I will let you know how it performs. I may also get a chance to test CZ 28/2.8.
Tariq Gibran wrote:
..and at four times the price of the CZ 28, the Leica 28 ROM may be one of the most overpriced lenses out there. Love to try one though. If that's what you have to pay to get sharp corners it's worth it.
"Finally, and this is the point; When I look at my Zuiko 28/3.5, it "looks" multi-coated to me. No, it does not have the MC designation, but neither do any of the late model multi-coated 50/1.4s, 28/2.8s, etc. etc.
So, they say the 28/3.5 was never made multi-coated, but I'm 99% sure mine is."
I seriously doubt it. I have a G.ZUIKO 28/3.5 sn 487,598 build 06/80 which should be very close to one of the last 28/3.5 lenses produced; production of its successor, the 28/2.8, started in late 1980. From the reflections, my lens is single coated. If you look to the exploded parts diagram dated 12/81, i.e., after production had stopped, there are no different part numbers for the various elements, though other diagrams mention all the various SC and MC part numbers.
MC lenses without the MC designation were in general produced after fall 1982 when the MC was dropped from the label. However, the 135/3.5 and 75-150/4 were never multicoated, even though the front ring seems to indicate MC.
For the 50/1.4 and 28/2.8, you mention, the ZUIKO only label follows a period after such lenses marked ZUIKO MC were produced. All 28/3.5 lenses are marked G.ZUIKO (except the two prototypes which you might find for sale at yahoo.jp ...).
Geez, Paul, that certainly looks multi-coated to me. Nice one! Is your copy "black-nosed" like the one in the pic? I've only every seen silver-nosed versions of this lens.
On the rear element of mine, I see blue/violet, red/pink, and yellow/brown
That photo is of a single coated lens and the coating is all in the same color spectrum. I think you would see green in the reflection along with the magenta if it was MC.
Tariq Gibran wrote:
That photo is of a single coated lens and the coating is all in the same color spectrum. I think you would see green in the reflection along with the magenta if it was MC.
I completely disagree. On single-coated lenses there is one colour reflected.
The colour green is not a requirement for multi-coating. Ever seen a Tamron BBAR lens, for instance?
cogitech wrote:
I completely disagree. On single-coated lenses there is one colour reflected.
The colour green is not a requirement for multi-coating. Ever seen a Tamron BBAR lens, for instance?
Yes, but here is what Olympus MC looks like on the 24 2.8. Each manufacturers MC could look different. You should see more than one color reflected which is almost always an indication of MC. Single coated lenses reflect one color only.
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