on 7/1/02 10:16 PM, Tal Lancaster at talrmr@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> I have enjoyed using my OM2n for the past 20 years now. However, I am
> wanting to upgrade the body and pick up some lenses.
>
> Are there some places people would recommend to try and locate these
> items (or places to avoid)?
>
> OM4Ti
> Zuiko 35-70mm F3.6
> Zuiko 24mm F2
> Zuiko 65-200 F4
>
> Any opinions plus or minus on these pieces?
>
> How much should I expect to spend for these?
>
>
> Tal
E*ay seems to be where a lot of us spend our time (and too much of our
money...) but there are sometimes good deals at local camera shops if you
bargain, or if they don't know what they have. KEH is recommended as is B &
H photo if you want something from an online retailer.
OM-4Ti -- these can still be found new... good clean recent (black) examples
seem to go for $550 to $700 or so on the 'bay. I think most camera shops
will want over $1000 for a new one. A great camera, I've used the OM-2n
since I bought one new in 1983, but I think my recently acquired OM-4Ti will
be my new 'default' camera.
35-70/3.6 -- this lens is probably the highest quality Zuiko 35-70. Someone
here was comparing it recently favorably against the fabled 35-80/2.8 for
the common focal lengths at smaller apertures. Somewhat heavier than the
35-70/3.5-4.5 and a bit bigger than the 35-70/4.0. I always thought the
Cosina-made 35-70/3.5-4.8 was a 'dog' but a recent posting of a review
suggests it may be better than its reputation. I might have to look into
getting one to try out (in the interest of having at least one of everything
Zuiko <g>). The 35-70/3.6 has a neat arrangement with the lens shade, as you
zoom to shorter focal lengths the front of the lens extends within the lens
shade, so the shade doesn't vignette at the 35 end, but gives better
coverage at the 70 end. Try to get one with the shade. My pictures with this
lens have been very good. Expect to spend from $175 to $240 on a good
example with hood (and get the case if you can, too. Always good to have
cases...)
24/2.0 -- one of the premium 2.0 wide angles. I like the 24mm focal length,
one of my original lenses purchased with my first OM-1 back in 1975 (or was
it 1976? too long ago!) was the 24/2.8. But the 24/2.0 is better... its
bigger, but it has a much brighter finder and handles well. Interesting to
me is that the 35/2.0, 24/2.0, and 21/2.0 are all very close in size
physically. The 28/2.0 is a bit smaller. The 24/2.0 will please you with a
bright and wide view, and take very sharp pictures. This one is expensive, a
good clean example will probably be over $300, maybe over $400. Not as
common as the 24/2.8 for sure!
65-200/4.0 -- This is a great lens, covers a really wide and useful range of
focal lengths... the three lenses you are contemplating getting cover about
980f all the pictures I've ever taken. The only downside of the 65-200/4.0
is that it is heavy and bigger than the 200/4.0 prime. Not much bigger, but
definitely a larger and longer handful. Of course, by the time you cover the
range of focal lengths it handles with primes you are carrying more weight
and volume in Zuikos anyway. I've used my 65-200 for motorcycle race
pictures, and it worked very well. The only problem I have (with all three
examples I own) is that there is some 'zoom creep' in the one-touch design.
This probably could be adjusted out, but it isn't a big deal. Prices on
these seem to be right around $200, maybe $225 or a bit for a really clean
one. I don't think they ever came with a hard case.
Sorry to get so long-winded about this, but the pieces you asked about are
all personal favorites of mine.
--
Jim Brokaw
OM-1's, -2's, -4's, (no -3's yet) and no OM-oney...
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