I never owned the f/2.8 version, but I believe the f/2 is superior in color rendition and sharpness wide open. It is also a great portrait lens as well. It is one of my favorite lenses.
There is one on sale at e bay.de (Germany) for EUR 749,00 direct purchase, another two are on sale in other countries.
dawid.loubser wrote:
I use the 250/2 a lot, but I am exclusively an analogue B&W photographer (my images won't appears as polished or colourful as the nice digital colour shots in this thread). Here are some recent darkroom prints (scanned on an Epson V700). All are shot at f/2.0 (this lens shouldn't even *have* an aperture mechanism, who'd be crazy enough to stop it down and lose the 'look'?)
Sorry for the varying sizes, these were scanned and prepared at different times. All were shot on Ilford FP4 or Ilford Pan F, with an Olympus OM-1 and OM-3Ti.
The Zuiko 250/2 is - by far - the Zuiko with the highest performance (according to tests). It's an absolute landmark lens. Basically the same size as a Canon EF 300 f/2.8L, but a whole stop faster (front element with twice the area), and optically every bit as good. It out-resolves any film I've thrown at it across the frame at any aperture, limited only by my photographic abilities. Most of the above images were also taken hand-held, not a great idea with a 4kg lens....Show more →
Gorgeous samples, Dawid. They look perfectly polished and wonderfully contrasty to me.
Beautiful! Interesting use of the hard grad. My natural instinct would have been to grab the soft for this type of image, but the hard has worked so well.
Where do you canon people get your adapters? I have a 5D2 and going to go some Zuiko to give MF and OM a try. AF-confirm chip or new focusing screen - which is best?
Thanks in advance!
- wilhelm
Edit: I am trying to find information about the Zuiko 35/2 - any opinions on that lense? Images?
wfrank wrote:
Where do you canon people get your adapters? I have a 5D2 and going to go some Zuiko to give MF and OM a try. AF-confirm chip or new focusing screen - which is best?
Thanks in advance!
- wilhelm
Edit: I am trying to find information about the Zuiko 35/2 - any opinions on that lense? Images?
Wilhelm, There is a case for both focus screen and AF confirm. If focus is critical, I have found the screen to be the better option.
Can't comment on the 35/2 sorry, but I had the 35/2.8 and it was brilliantly sharp, lacked distortion and provided great colour and contrast..... the f2 version by all reports is equally good, perhaps a little better.
Much obliged Rusty! Very helpful information, thanks for the link. I just ordered the EG-S focusing screen to my 5D2. Looking forward to my 5D gets a look something like this, and OM/Zuiko glass currently scores very high probability:
Anytime. It's the lower end of average from what I've seen and you're getting B&H's customer service, which has been consistently top-notch for me. I've purchased five used lenses from them (IIRC) and have two more on the way tomorrow. Their rating system tends to be spot on.
I agree it is at the low end. One thing to consider is that because the lens protrudes beyond the front surface you are for sure going to want a stepup ring and uv and new cap. So that adds to the cost. It may have that if you call B&H.
rtester wrote:
I agree it is at the low end. One thing to consider is that because the lens protrudes beyond the front surface you are for sure going to want a stepup ring and uv and new cap. So that adds to the cost. It may have that if you call B&H.
It figures that this shows up at this price just after I have spent over a grand on a bunch of other glass. Nice price. B&H website says it comes with a pouch.
How is their return policy? If the glass is good, I could be interested in this one instead of my current 21/3.5 ... but they don't offer much info / pics.
Also, what can I expect from an 8+ rating @ B&H ... I've never bought used from them.
Just chatted with B&H ... stated ALL GLASS is PERFECT ... 8+ is only exterior condition. 15 Day RMA policy.
Kent: "All glass is in perfect optical condition" ... sounds a bit too good to be true. Does that mean no scratches and no cleaning marks for ALL LENSES you sell used.
Kent: Also, what can I expect from an 8+ rating?
Marty K: correct GLASS AND FUNCTIONS are perfect
Marty K: 8+ rating is only an outer cosmetic rating
Bought it ... thanks, they should give you a commission.
Nice price. B&H website says it comes with a pouch.