A 'fast' lens is one that works in lower light, meaning that it has a bigger
maximum lens opening, meaning that the maximum aperature is a lower number.
For example, a 35 f/2 is faster than a 35 f/2.8 by one stop (meaning twice
the light). So, 1/60 at f/2 is the same at 1/30 at f/2.8.
In Olympus-land, most of the lenses were made in two 'speeds'. The 'slower'
lenses were generally smaller (often with a 49mm filter size). The 'faster'
lenses had/have a trade-off. They are generally a little bigger and often
have a 55mm filter size. Bigger is relative, of course, as the 'bigger'
Olympus Zuiko lenses are still small compared to other camera lines.
I think you would find this site an incredible resource:
http://members.nbci.com/_XMCM/veluwen/om-sif.htm
Hans van Veluwen, the site creator, is a fellow list member and we are all
indebted to him for his efforts.
One risk of this list, though. <g>. We all have a disease called
Zuikoholism. We're unable to stop buying all the OM equipment we can. It's
catching and this list is a carrier.
Enjoy!
Tom Scales
> I am new to photography, and the list. So far I have a OM-1 that was
> bought back in the 1970's for my daughter who was taking a photography
> class in high school at the time. My grandson and I found the camera in
>
> the basement in an old milk crate and resurrected it. I took some very
> good pictures with it on my vacation this year, and have acquired an
> interest in photography. So much so that I just bought an OM2S Program
> from eBay!
>
> I have four lenses. Two 50mm 1.8 Zuiko, a Kitstar f135mm 1:2.8 and a
> Vivitor 28mm 1:2.8. I have seen posts on the list (and adds on eBay)
> that talk about fast and slow lenses. Could someone explain to me what
> a fast lens means? What slow lens is?
>
> I thought that the second number just meant the widest aperture that the
>
> lens could achieve. What does that have with speed?
>
> Thanks
>
> --
> Don Gaikins
> W0VM
>
>
>
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