Oh boy. What a question <g>.
Well, as you'll soon discover from this list, I have opinions, so I'll
share'em. I also own an awful lot of Zuiko lenses (far more than I should).
The choices include:
75-150/4
65-200/4
50-250/5
70-210/4.5-5.6
85-250/5
100-200/5
Now, the first step is to buy them all. Then you'll fit in with this group
quite well.
Putting them in the order that I would buy them, taking into account both
usefulness and cost, I'd go with:
75-150/4
65-200/4
100-200/5
85-250/5
50-250/5
70-210/4.5-5.6
Now, the 70-210 goes to the bottom as it's not a 'real zuiko'. It's made by
Cosina. I've never seen one (it's the only one I don't own), but the build
quality of the Cosina-made 35-70 I did own was inferior.
Here's my thinking.
75-150 - I like it a lot, as it is very small and very light and a good lens
to keep in a travel kit. The negative is that it is only available as a
single-coated lens and there are reports of older ones have problems with
lens separation. But if you're careful, you'll get a nice one in the $100
range. I almost always have this one with me.
65-200 - A really great lens, heavier than the 75-150, but not huge. It's a
push-pull one-touch, which is very nice. If you're only going to own one,
this might be the best choice. They're in the $225 range. Price pushed it
down to number two.
100-200 - This lens doesn't seem to have the best reputation, but I don't
really know why. It's a little slow (f/5), but it is a smooth one-touch and
I like it a lot for sports. The only reason I don't use it more, is that I
have all the others. You can pick one up in the $100-125 range. Good value
for the money.
85-250 - First, it's big. Really big. In fact, many of them come with the
tripod mount attached. I use mine on a monopod, which works well. It's a
big, robust lens, with a nice wide range. Overall a good lens. Available
in the $275 range.
50-250 - Of them all, this one gets the most use. It's got a huge range and
is the same size and weight as the 65-200, but a little slower. During
soccer season, this lens gets two-three rolls a week. Big downside, they're
hard to find and very expensive, $500+. Really not worth it, unless you
just want a complete set. Price is the only reason it is so low on the list.
70-210 - comments earlier.
Hopefully this helps.
Tom
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Larson" <milar@xxxxxxxx>
To: "Olympus" <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2000 3:49 PM
Subject: [OM] Zoom questions
> I'm re-entering the Olympus world after a
> long absence. I'm trying to get back up
> to speed. I purchased an OM-1 with
> 50mm 1.8 and 28mm 3.5 lenses.
>
> Previously I had a 100 2.8 that I liked
> alot. However I have grown
> accustomed to using a zoom for
> quickly composing my pictures.
>
> Question: which Zuiko zoom
> would list members recommend
> covering the range 75/80 to about
> 180/200mm?
>
> 65-200 F4?
> 70-210 F4.5-5.6?
> 75-150 F4?
> 100-200 F5?
>
> Any obvious gems or dogs?
> Mike
>
>
>
> < This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
> < For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
> < Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
>
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
|