Best OM 'standard' zoom?

OlyMan · Sep 1, 2017

dynachrome said:
On a sunny day I like carrying three Zuikos: 35/2.8, 50/3.5 Macro, 100/2.8.

The only wide I have is 28mm F/2.8 and the only fixed tele I have is 135mm F/2.8. Hoping this 35-70 will serve as a good general purpose piggy in the middle. Beyond that I have a Tamron Adaptal 70-210, though it's a bit of a neck breaker and usually gets left behind. In the early 2000s my wife had a 70-210 kit lens for her Nikon F65 and it was far more compact and light, albeit it was plastic, but she was at least 10x more likely to take it with her to places than I was with mine. Progress for you I guess.

Svenedin · Sep 1, 2017

The OM Zuiko 35-105mm f3.5/4.5 is also a useful lens. I was using mine today. It is quite heavy though. I could have covered the range I needed with 3 primes but I was out without a camera bag and anyway, frequent lens changing does irritate me a bit and one of these days I'll drop a lens.

OlyMan · Sep 1, 2017

I might one day commit the equivalent of OM blasphemy and buy the Zuiko-branded Cosina 70-210 launched with the OM2000. It's cheap because fanatics snub them, and because the closest 'true' OM equivalents - all upwards of 2¼x heavier or thereabouts - are probably genuinely better. But the best lens in your collection is the one you're most likely to have with you when that great shot arises, and I've grown beyond lugging around 5kg camera bags.

klownshed · Sep 1, 2017

I have the Olympus 35-70 f4 and 3.5-4-5 zooms. I rarely use a zoom but when I do I use a Tamron adaptall 35-80 SP instead. I haven't measured anything, I just prefer the look of the photos from the Adaptall.

Photo Hobyist · Sep 1, 2017

Although not a standard zoom, does anyone have any comments about the Zuiko 75-150? The example that I have (it has the silver "ring" on the hood) just doesn't seem to be up to par with other Zuiko zooms.. Is this typical of this lens, or is mine a "bum" one? Are there later versions that are better?

Svenedin · Sep 1, 2017

Photo Hobyist said:
Although not a standard zoom, does anyone have any comments about the Zuiko 75-150? The example that I have (it has the silver "ring" on the hood) just doesn't seem to be up to par with other Zuiko zooms.. Is this typical of this lens, or is mine a "bum" one? Are there later versions that are better?

I have the 75-150mm Zuiko lens. Mine is later (non silver-nose). I like it and it seems every bit as good as the other Zuikos to me (but I am not an expert on lenses).

I was using the 75-150 a couple of weeks ago and took these (the weather was awful for the shots of the carrier):

mr rusty · Sep 1, 2017

comments about the Zuiko 75-150

I use mine a good bit. No complaints at all. https://www.photrio.com/forum/index.php?media/brothers-cousins.27133/

Svenedin · Sep 1, 2017

mr rusty said:
I use mine a good bit. No complaints at all. https://www.photrio.com/forum/index.php?media/brothers-cousins.27133/

Excellent photo Mr Rusty.

Dali · Sep 1, 2017

Photo Hobyist said:
Although not a standard zoom, does anyone have any comments about the Zuiko 75-150? The example that I have (it has the silver "ring" on the hood) just doesn't seem to be up to par with other Zuiko zooms.. Is this typical of this lens, or is mine a "bum" one? Are there later versions that are better?

I don't use mine often but I never had issues with it. Apart from the optical standpoint, I find it very convenient to carry and to use.

Dali · Sep 1, 2017

klownshed said:
I have the Olympus 35-70 f4 and 3.5-4-5 zooms. I rarely use a zoom but when I do I use a Tamron adaptall 35-80 SP instead. I haven't measured anything, I just prefer the look of the photos from the Adaptall.

Never been bother by vignetting and distorsion with the Tamron?

MattKing · Sep 1, 2017

I too like my 75-150, even if I don't use it that often.
I actually prefer a vari-focal lens to a zoom lens.

Svenedin · Sep 1, 2017

MattKing said:
I too like my 75-150, even if I don't use it that often.
I actually prefer a vari-focal lens to a zoom lens.

By vari-focal do you mean you prefer "2-touch zoom" (separate rings for zoom and focus) to "1-touch zoom" (one ring that push-pulls for zoom and twists for focus) lenses? I thought they were all zoom lenses.

MattKing · Sep 1, 2017

A vari-focal lens needs to be two-touch, because changing the focal length requires re-focusing.
My earlier post was confusing, because the 75-150 is actually a two touch zoom, not a vari-focal lens.
Vari-focal lenses tend to be smaller, lighter and to have fewer elements.
There aren't many of them around.

Svenedin · Sep 1, 2017

@ Matt. I get it now. None of the OM Zuiko lenses are vari-focal so I was confused

klownshed · Sep 1, 2017

Dali said:
Never been bother by vignetting and distorsion with the Tamron?

Nope. It's my favourite zoom. And as I said, I prefer the way the photos I take with it look over the zuiko zooms.

But usually I just take a 28mm f3:5, and 50mm F1.8. Occasionally I'll also take an adaptall 90mm or Zuiko 135mm f3.5 as well.

But for me, that Tamron 35-80 is an excellent lens and I will sometimes just take that on an OM-2 or 4 and I'm never disappointed with the results from it.

Oh, and vignetting has never bothered me in the slightest. I like a nice vignette...

OlyMan · Sep 6, 2017

So my 35-70 F3.5/4.5 arrived from Germany. I've fitted it to my OM-40 which is currently loaded with B&W Ilford film, hence the filter. (Which was another reason I liked the look of this lens: 49mm filter thread like the 50mm's).

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I'm really impressed by how small and cute it is even at its full extension (said no ex girlfriend of mine ever, unfortunately) and I'm looking forward to trying it out

Svenedin · Sep 6, 2017

Nice one. Let us know how you get on with it.

OlyMan · Sep 6, 2017

Looks even better with the rubber grips cleaned up and treated. I have this thing about greying plastics and rubber trim, be it on cameras, cars, or whatever. Betrays the truth they are generally uncared for and neglected. More relevant on cars than cameras probably, but just something I'm irrationally fastidious about.

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Svenedin · Sep 6, 2017

How did you clean the rubber and treat it?

OlyMan · Sep 6, 2017

Stiff toothbrush to scrub it clean, I used a smokers' toothbrush I bought cheaply from Home Bargains. I try not to use any solvents because they can either stain the rubber or worse still run into the lens's innards. For treatment I use the same stuff I use on the car: Meguiar's Endurance Tire Gel (try your local motor factors or Halfords). Apply it sparingly and carefully with a cotton-bud. Leave the gel to soak in for a few minutes and pat the residue with a paper towel. I used the same method to treat the OM-40's rubber exterior, which was almost grey-white when I bought it

Svenedin · Sep 6, 2017

Ok thanks. I probably have some of that tyre gel or similar. I am fussy about my Audi!

OlyMan · Sep 6, 2017

I think what happens is the natural oils from your fingers 'feeds' the rubber parts and generally stops them going grey, but many cameras and accessories for sale these days have sat unused for maybe a decade or more in a loft or cupboard, and during that time the rubber dries out. On a car, to get the best results when restoring rubber trim I generally heat the surface first to a temperature where it's just a little too hot to touch; this opens the 'pores' and makes the material receptive to being re-nurished (for want of a better word). On a camera I wouldn't do that of course because the components may be damaged by the heat

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