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Re: [OM] OM-2000 & 35-70 test in Pop Photo

Subject: Re: [OM] OM-2000 & 35-70 test in Pop Photo
From: *- DORIS FANG -* <sfsttj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 18:35:52 -0500 (EST)

On Wed, 11 Mar 1998, PCA Cala wrote:

> I couldn't help but notice that the 35-70 mm in the Popular Photo test flunked
> out with even moderate enlargement at the 35 mm setting.

  What exactly do you mean by "flunked" ? The issue I have shows that wide
open (f/3.5) @ 35mm it is terrible, but by f/5.6 it gets an A+ rating out
to 11x14. Not bad. In fact, through f/16, in typical inexpensive zoom
fashion, it scores A+ at 11x14. Not stellar, but for the money (and petite
size), not bad. The lab comments in Pop Photo: "SQF data idicates well
above average performance at 35mm, 50mm, and 70mm despite high field
curvature at the 35 & 70mm settings."

>  And the distortion
> seemed rather high at both ends.  That seemed to be overlooked in the review.

  They did mention the distortion. But let's face it, nobody buys this
sort of lens expecting it to excel at copying flat objects AND
architecture. Even the vaunted 35-80/2.8 Zuiko is described by Pop Photo
as: "Distortion was noticeable at 35mm and 80mm, but nominal at 50mm,
usual for this type of zoom."
  I agree with you that it is a significant problem, but one endemic to
most zooms in this range. The Nikon 35-70/2.8 "D"  was described by Pop 
thusly: "Distortion was noticeable but not bad at 35mm  & 70mm, aa usual
performance for a zoom of this type." 
   We tend to forget that zooms involve many serious compromises. What
bothered me the most about that OM 35-70/3.5-4.8 was the fall-off. Too
much for use with slide film, and it persisted until f/16 (!!!!) @ 35mm,
f/11 @ 50mm, and f/8 @ 70mm. Ouch. I can't believe companies don't offer a
corrective filter for lenses like this one. It'd be worth it.

                                       *= Doris Fang =*



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