Just wanted to make others here aware of a great deal on "new" Zuiko 35-80/2.8's for <$800. I had this lens, sold it, tried everything else, then bought another copy. For me, there is not a better performing full frame 35-xx zoom across the aperture range, except for maybe the Leica 35-80/2.8 (which I will likely never try, $$$$). I found the Zeiss 35-70/3.4 to be good, but only after stopped down past f/5.6, and it colors, and one touch design weren't for me. The color and contrast is as good as any lens I've ever owned (zoom or otherwise) The added reach to 80mm and faster f/2.8 aperture are big pluses. The lens is nicely sharp from wide open, and 80/2.8 is very useful for portraits with some background blur. Even the bokeh is very good, for a zoom.
I have no relationship, or knowledge of the seller, so buyer beware - as usual with ebay.
Congrats to all here who got one. That is a great deal. I paid quite a bit more for my demo condition copy. If I had the funds I would have bought one myself and had two
I couldn't have one, so the next best thing is seeing them go to other FM alternative lens users.
For landscape shooting I'd much rather take a pic with my Oly zom than the Canon 35/2 or a Canon 50/x. The color and FF performance of the Zuiko zoom is excellent. I've also owned all the Oly 35's and 50's (still have a 35/2.8 and 50/1.2), but the zoom holds it's own against even those.
It really makes for some great color that even other Oly lenses have a hard time matching. It also gives pics a really nice contrast and tone that's hard to quantify, and not matched by other lenses. I rate the Oly zoom right up there with the performance of my best primes for its overall FF performance.
Ed Sawyer wrote:
These seem like a great zoom lens, but the prices seem a bit high. one could basically have a full range of primes and then some for the same $...
To me, the Oly system is about sweet little primes, not zooms, but I suppose if you need a zoom... this is the one to have.
Well the lens arrived today and it is indeed new, with bayonet hood, instruction sheet, warranty card and excellent pouch. Just handling it in my office and taking a few snapshots it handles well and both the focus and zoom are very well damped and have a good feel. No zoom creep with this on for a long time.
This is a new concept for me - A NEW OM lens. A NEW alt lens. Most OM or alt lenses for me have been 20 to 30 years old, though I have a few that were from the early 90's. It is a bit like culture shock.
I will take few test shots soon with the Oly and the Contax 35-70.
And wanting....
This is indeed a fantastic price, especially considering they've never been mounted.