Conventional wisdom has it that the 35mm f/2.8 F.Zuiko in the Olympus XA is a
pretty fine performer. But recent List discussion had some critical comments
on the vignetting problem. Here is a test of the XA using the same criteria
as the OM System Zuikos. I might mention that the slides had to be projected
about 20% larger due to what I consider a pretty gross error in centering and
image area for the XA viewfinder. Whereas I thought I had the subject
centered and full frame, it came out right-centered and perhaps only 800f
full framing.
Olympus XA: 35mm f/2.8 F.Zuiko (single-coated)
Vignetting = C-@f/2.8, B-@f/5.6, C+@f/11, C@f/22
Distortion = moderate pincushion
Aperture Center Corner
f/2.8 B- C
f/4 B+ B-
f/5.6 B B
f/8 A- B+
f/11 B+ B
f/16 B+ B
f/22 B B
Notes: Serious vignetting problems at all but f/5.6 (where it is still quite
noticeable), moderately high contrast at f/8 (the optimum aperture).
Vignetting is slightly worse than in the 24mm f/2 Zuiko at f/2 (the most
vignetting prone OM System Zuiko that I've tested), but, unlike the OM System
Zuikos, the XA lens doesn't improve much with stopping down. After an
improvement at f/5.6, it actually gets worse again at small apertures.
While this comment isn't directly related to the lens, I found focusing to be
hard in dim light situations, like resturants. Despite the original XA
marketing literature claims, this isn't the kind of camera you can pass to a
waiter and expect them to know what to do!
Gary Reese
Las Vegas, NV
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