Hi all:
I finally located a copy of the Popular Photography normal lens shootout that
I mentioned in old postings. It was in the July 1976 issue, which I found for
$3.00 at a Flagstaff used bookstore. Here are the results of their tests for
the Zuikos, in FAQ format, with my comments on how they compare to other
lenses in their class (as tested to that date).
50/1.2 SC (5/76 pp. 65):
Actual: 56.00/1.31, Distortion: pronounced barrel
Centering: near-perfect, Flare: 1.38%, Transmission: 84.25%
Percent contrast of 0.01mm slit image:
1.2 2 2.8 4 5.6
Center 55 72 77 79 80
1/3rd out 40 69 76 79 79
2/3rds out 44 60 71 74 71
Far edge 37 41 56 75 80
Comments: An average performer in its day, although with the highest flare in
its speed class.
50/1.4 SC (5/76 pp. 65):
Actual: 51.90/1.49, Distortion: moderate barrel
Centering: perfect, Flare: 1.5%, Transmission: 85%
Percent contrast of 0.01mm slit image:
1.4 2 2.8 4 5.6
Center 54 72 78 80 81
1/3rd out 49 62 77 79 81
2/3rds out 38 56 77 80 82
Far edge 46 48 55 70 78
Comments: An average performer in its day, although with the highest flare in
its speed class.
50/1.8 SC (5/76 pp. 65):
Actual: 51.40/1.89, Distortion: slight barrel
Centering: perfect, Flare: 1.4%, Transmission: 84.5%
Percent contrast of 0.01mm slit image:
1.8 2.8 4 5.6
Center 68 78 83 83
1/3rd out 53 67 76 80
2/3rds out 44 56 72 80
Far edge 45 59 70 80
Comments: An slightly better than average performer in its day, although with
high flare for its speed class.
50/3.5 MC* (5/76 pp. 65):
Actual: 52.00/3.39, Distortion: none
Centering: near-perfect, Flare: 0.5%, Transmission: 92.5%
Percent contrast of 0.01mm slit image:
3.5 5.6 8
Center 69 81 81
1/3rd out 61 79 80
2/3rds out 53 76 75
Far edge 53 70 78
Comments: A better than average performer in its day, except at widest
aperture which is average; low flare; no apparent advantage to the floating
element abberation correction system (which would be an "infinity focus
abberation correction" system in this particular lens).
*probably multi-coated, although not stated.
My conclusion: Olympus's single coating technology was "obsolete" by 1976,
with other manufacturers having passed them by with multi-coated offerings.
Olympus was forced to adopt multi-coating across the board, otherwise
comparative testing like this article would lead buyers to thinking the Zuikos
were poorer than the competition.
Gary Reese
Las Vegas, NV
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