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Archive 2011 · Oly 100 f/2.8

mco_970
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Oly 100 f/2.8

Tell me about the 100 f/2.8. I thought about picking one up for my hiking kit, since I never feel the urge to carry my Canon 100mm IS macro lens up a mountain.

Has anyone used the 100 w/ tubes for semi-macro?

If you have some pictures taken w/ this lens, please post 'em!

BTW, my hiking kit is Oly 21, CZ 35-70, and T3i body. Theoretically I could use tubes on the CZ lens, but I can't get used to tubes on a zoom. It's too much like snakes on a plane.

Thanks!
Michelle

Aug 07, 2011 at 06:46 PM

Jorgen Udvang
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Oly 100 f/2.8

It's not the sharpest 100mm out there, but it must be one of the smallest. Stopped down to f/4 or 5.6, it's a rather decent performer. I use mine for travel because of the small size and light weight. Another, apparently sharper but also shorter, alternative is the Zeiss CY 85mm f/2.8. The there's of course the excellent Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 AIS, and if you really want to spend money, you can try the Zuiko 100mm f/2.0 or 90mm f/2.0 Macro. The 90mm is as good as it gets.

Aug 07, 2011 at 07:27 PM

RustyBug
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Oly 100 f/2.8

I'd probably go with the OM 135/3.5. The jump form 70 to 100 isn't that much. The Oly 135/3.5 is very nice size for hiking. MFD isn't super close, but on a tube could be just fine, I might have to check mine out on a tube sometime., in lieu of my Tamron 90/2.5 macro (highly recommended).

Aug 07, 2011 at 07:28 PM

mco_970
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Oly 100 f/2.8

Thanks for the ideas. I will look the lenses mentioned - def. am looking for something small and light.

Aug 07, 2011 at 09:10 PM

mawz
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Oly 100 f/2.8

Another option for small & good is the Nikon 100/2.8 E, it's Oly-sized, generally cheap and almost indistinguishable from the 105/2.5 in performance (Having owned both, I preferred the 100).

Aug 07, 2011 at 09:58 PM

alexandre
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Oly 100 f/2.8

If you want tiny and good IQ, Oly 100 is hard to beat.
135/2.8 is better IQ-wise but I can't tell the difference about their size (that 'mir' site can ;-) ).

Aug 07, 2011 at 10:02 PM

bkwphoto
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Oly 100 f/2.8

Another good site with olympus lens specs http://olympus.dementia.org/eSIF/om-sif.htm look at the lens group section.

Aug 07, 2011 at 10:26 PM

Alee18
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Oly 100 f/2.8

Love this lens. Here is a shot of my grandson wide open on 5D

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/6020766862_3cc4524fcc_b.jpg

Aug 07, 2011 at 10:34 PM

Krosavcheg
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Oly 100 f/2.8

I got both OM 135/2.8 and 3.5. Haven't tested the 3.5 yet, but 2.8 while being quite light is not awfully impressive. Nikkor 105/2.5 or CZ Jena 135/3.5 can probably be a better choice in that range.

Aug 08, 2011 at 05:30 AM

rsrsrs
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Oly 100 f/2.8

hi,
what about a tamron 90mm 2,5 macro.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/746694/0&year=2009#6795701

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

Reinhard

Aug 08, 2011 at 06:51 AM

RustyBug
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Oly 100 f/2.8

Krosavcheg wrote:
I got both OM 135/2.8 and 3.5. Haven't tested the 3.5 yet, but 2.8 while being quite light is not awfully impressive. Nikkor 105/2.5 or CZ Jena 135/3.5 can probably be a better choice in that range.

My experience with Oly has been that Oly & fast isn't their strong suit (i.e. 2.8 vs. 3.5). But if you are a fan of Oly's drawing style (as compared to Nikon's drawing style in particular), the 135/3.5 is a nice little lens. I put it against my C/Y 80-200 and Mamyia 150/2.8 A and it held up nicely. Not as much micro-contrast as the C/Y and not quite as smooth tones as the Mamiya ... somewhere in between the two.

If you are not specifically looking to the Oly drawing style (and size), the Tamron 90/2.5 is a very nice macro and is a 'go to' lens, imo. Lots of options in the FL.

Aug 08, 2011 at 07:51 AM

kakomu
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Oly 100 f/2.8

Aug 08, 2011 at 08:00 AM

Krosavcheg
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Oly 100 f/2.8

RustyBug wrote:
My experience with Oly has been that Oly & fast isn't their strong suit (i.e. 2.8 vs. 3.5). But if you are a fan of Oly's drawing style (as compared to Nikon's drawing style in particular), the 135/3.5 is a nice little lens. I put it against my C/Y 80-200 and Mamyia 150/2.8 A and it held up nicely. Not as much micro-contrast as the C/Y and not quite as smooth tones as the Mamiya ... somewhere in between the two.

If you are not specifically looking to the Oly drawing style (and size), the Tamron 90/2.5 is a very nice...Show more →

I agree. The microcontrast is not OM 135/2.8 (in this case) strongest point. It is light, and produces great results - something I had hard time to get out of SMCT 135/3.5 (must be because I am rubbish at 135mm focusing). For me Om 135 works well for BW conversions, but I don't really like its colour rendition (personal opinion) and I prefer 105/2.5 Nikkor's.

Here are just few examples. These shots are of course neither conclusive nor comparative since the subjects/styles vary and they have been re-worked (colour and brightness/contrast corrected, BW converted)

Nikkor 105/2.5:

http://www.3byk.org/gallery2/d/6165-1/IMG_2937.JPG

http://www.3byk.org/gallery2/d/6015-1/IMG_1963.JPG

http://www.3byk.org/gallery2/d/6030-1/IMG_1987.JPG

Om Zuiko 135/2.8:

http://www.3byk.org/gallery2/d/6377-1/IMG_8602.jpg

http://www.3byk.org/gallery2/d/6380-1/IMG_8605.jpg

http://www.3byk.org/gallery2/d/6389-1/IMG_8648.jpg

http://www.3byk.org/gallery2/d/6383-1/IMG_8617.jpg

Aug 08, 2011 at 08:23 AM

Michael Gordon
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Oly 100 f/2.8

The Oly 100/2.8 is known to do well on tubes for macro. Only weighs in at 230gm and 48mm long. MFD is 1meter or about 1:8 by thin lens approx.

I sometimes use the Zuiko 85F2 on tubes--very fast and small. 260gm and 46mm long
takes 49mm filters like the 100/2.8. It is a great portrait lens but bokeh can get busy in some situations. It focuses to 0.85m--again about 1:8 prior to tubes--need a smidge less extesnion for any given mag of course than the 100mm.

How about the CV90/3.5?--a bit slow but goes to 1:3.5 prior to adding any tubes.
Weighs in at 390gm and I think it is 58mm long. Still not a brick by any means.
Certainly smaller than any dedicated macro lens I have. Bokeh rep is good.
I just sucessfully bid for one and it is on its way.

I really should have
ordered the SLII with auto aperture but is is ugly IMO and got an OM SL1.
I still like to use my OM 4T as well.

Aug 08, 2011 at 10:33 AM

mco_970
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Oly 100 f/2.8

I am not really sure which rendering style I like most, other than I really like Contax and Zeiss.

I would also like to ask what is the difference between Nikon and Oly's drawing style?

The Nikkor 105 shots posted above are really nice, Krosavcheg.

Aug 08, 2011 at 10:34 AM

RustyBug
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Oly 100 f/2.8

If you are drawn to the Zeiss ... you'll probably prefer the Nikon vs. the Oly. I mostly use a mix of Zeiss (C/Y) and Oly because the Oly does offer a bit more variation from the Zeiss than the Nikon and I don't always like the Nikon's corner/edge bokeh performance ... Nikon gets a bit too much nervous bokeh for my taste sometimes at certain aperture/distances, but the 105/2.5 AIS is still a very worth piece of glass (i.e., I'm keeping mine), but I probably carry the Tamron 90/2.5 way more than the 105/2.5 AIS.

BTW, Krosavcheg ... nice set.

Aug 08, 2011 at 10:43 AM

mco_970
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Oly 100 f/2.8

Thanks Rusty! What I really want is a light version of the 100 Makro...

A compact f/3.5 would be just fine.

Aug 08, 2011 at 10:56 AM

kakomu
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Oly 100 f/2.8

RustyBug wrote:
If you are drawn to the Zeiss ... you'll probably prefer the Nikon vs. the Oly. I mostly use a mix of Zeiss (C/Y) and Oly because the Oly does offer a bit more variation from the Zeiss than the Nikon and I don't always like the Nikon's corner/edge bokeh performance ... Nikon gets a bit too much nervous bokeh for my taste sometimes at certain aperture/distances, but the 105/2.5 AIS is still a very worth piece of glass (i.e., I'm keeping mine), but I probably carry the Tamron 90/2.5 way more than the 105/2.5 AIS.

BTW, Krosavcheg ... nice...Show more →

Many lenses can have "nervous" bokeh, regardless of brand. Note the pictures I posted of the Olympus 28 f/2 in the fast 28 thread (wherein I refer to it as "funky").

I'm curious, though, what are the defining (signature) features of the Nikon and Olympus drawing styles?

Aug 08, 2011 at 01:04 PM

RustyBug
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Oly 100 f/2.8

kakomu ... +1 @ not brand specific, that's part of why I shoot with the Oly 28/3.5 vs. the Oly 28/2. I also have the Nikon 28/2.8 AIS and the C/Y 28/2.8 Distagon. For any given subject and how I want to render it will dictate which one I decide to use, i.e. no such thing as one size fits all, imo.

To me, the Nikons transition faster and the Oly a bit gentler. Nikon's tend to have more central sharpness and roll off harder into the edges and corners, whereas the Oly's seem to have more even sharpness across the frame, even if they start off with less in the center. Nikon's colors can be a bit more punchy, whereas the Oly's can be a bit more subdued. My experience has been that lenses designed with that rapid transition are more inclined to have the nervous bokeh than those that transition a bit more evenly/slowly.

I'm certain that my technicals are off on this, but it's what I've noticed in my shooting.

Nikon's typically have more contrast than Oly's, with the Oly's having a bit more of the tempora look. If I know I'm going for a dynamic rendering in B&W of a central subject ... my first thought is the Nikon 28/2.8 AIS. Looking for a more soothing rendering, Oly 28/3.5, and for micro-contrast detail, the C/Y gets the call. The DR of the scene may influence my decision as well (usually between the Oly & the C/Y for color), relative to my intended output.

Back to the 100 Macro ... Tamron 90/2.5 Macro ... all day long, can't go wrong. Light on the wallet, light on the back, double duty as macro & regular ... delivers with a more 'neutral' drawing style, excellent detail and has some nice bokeh. Uses a dedicated 1:1 extender. or you can go 1:2 without it.

Of course, there is the Oly 90 macro of excellent report (no experience) if you prefer the Oly drawing style.

Aug 08, 2011 at 04:22 PM

Michael Gordon
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Oly 100 f/2.8

I recall the Tammy has some relection problems leading to a hot spot when used
with digital back, IIRC. Weighs in at 410gm and is a bit longer at >100mm.
I don't recall my VivS1 90 has had much of a problem with that, but it is not
as small as the Oly 85, Oly 100 or CV 90.
Mike

Aug 08, 2011 at 05:46 PM

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