This seems like a pretty good source for some material on the Zuiko lenses. I would have posted this in the "OL24/2.8 is a gem" thread but was afraid that many wouldn't see it. Theres some confusing info out there, some accurate, some not so accurate. Hopefully, this may be a resource for some hard to find info. For those of you that are just now playing with some Zuikos (myself included):
I use that as well, but I noticed that the Zuiko lenses sometimes perform noticeably different on the various OM camera bodies. Do any of the OM bodies come close in comparison to the Canon 5D as far as lens performance goes so as to have a better idea when looking for a Zuiko?
I had come across a web site that actually listed the serial numbers of Zuiko lenses - a range - which suggested year of manufacture and the sequence that was produced during that series. Anyone know where to find this site.
TY, are you talking about that Excel spreadsheet that lists serial numbers and lens coatings? I don't believe I've seen any sites that list date of manufacture for serial numbers.
Yup... that's the one Steve... it had a range of serial numbers, year of manufacture, coating (SC or MC), etc..... I saw it once and never saved/bookmarked it.
Mike Ganz wrote:
I use that as well, but I noticed that the Zuiko lenses sometimes perform noticeably different on the various OM camera bodies. Do any of the OM bodies come close in comparison to the Canon 5D as far as lens performance goes so as to have a better idea when looking for a Zuiko?
Yes, Gary Reese discussed that very problem with his measurements on the Olympus OM mailing list some years back. From memory, he found the OM-1, despite mirror lock-up, was the worst and the OM-2SP (not the OM-2 or OM-2N) was the best. This is consistent with my own experience with the OM-1, OM-2N, OM-2SP, OM-3 and OM-4. The OM-2SP has much longer shutter lag than the others. My OM-3 is almost as good; all the other OM bodies I had were poor.
His data has long come with such a warning attached, but no-one seems to read it.