You didn't look very hard. This question comes up with great regularity.
There are a number of threads in the archives. Here's my last post on
the subject from all the way back on 5/12/03:
Moose
--------------------------------
"Joel, the 19-35/3.5-4.5 focuses in the same direction as a Zuiko, NOT
like a Nikk*r.
There are 2 very different super-wide zooms that are sold under various
brand names:
The 19-35/3.5-4.5 is a fairly recent design which uses plastic
extensively. Although relatively large compared to any one of the Zuikos
in the same fl/speed range, it is quite light at 345g/12.17oz. Mine is a
Vivitar Series 1 and I know they are also sold under the Phoenix brand
and very possibly under others.
The 18-28/4-4.5 is a slightly older design of predominantly metal
construction weighing 477g/16.83oz. This is made by Samyang, but also
sold under the Phoenix label in the past, and again, possibly others. It
focuses the opposite way from Zuikos.
In prior threads about these 2 lenses, opinions about the 18-28 vary
quite a lot, both as to optical quality and, to a lesser extent, about
build quality. There are a lot of list members who equate metal
construction with quality and reliablility and they generally dis the
19-35. A couple of listees have commented that their 19-35 feels like it
won't last because of the plastic construction, but that it works
perfectly so far and is good enough and cheap enough that they aren't
worried. I don't recall any actual negative mechanical experiences with
the 19-35 being posted.
Brian has posted magazine tests of these 2 and many other lenses on his
site at <http://homepages.caverock.net.nz/0.000000E+00bj/zuiko/> . He has asked
that this URL not be posted anywhere outside the list. Based on those
tests the 19-35 appears to be the optically better lens. I have the
19-35 and am quite happy with it, but have never used the 18-28. "
gaasland@xxxxxxxx wrote:
I've searched the archive about this lens, just wondered if someone has
recently tried it? I've been tempted to jump to Nikon and buy the 17-35/2.8,
but I would have to sell my first-born and indenture myself for life! Thanks,
John.
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