Hi Doris:
<< Oh, and where/how in the library do you get all the tests 'till 84 or
whatever it was ? Is there a website with all those tests. >>
Alas, there is nothing on the web for this treasure of information. One needs
to find a library with the back issues.
In a hurried search of Popular Photography from 1980 through the end of their
slit image testing era (in about 1990, when they bought out Modern
Photography), I managed to find tests on the following Zuiko's:
35 to 105mm f/3.5-4.5 (flare rather high at 1.35 to 1.6 0ue to 16 elements;
very low (14 to 16%) far edge contrast at close-focus range; distortion
moderate or better; sub-par to the equivalent Canon zoom 58 mm filter model
(an moderate cost aspheric), but a tad better than the older 72 mm filter
model).
24 mm f/2 (needs f/2.8 to boost the center and 1/3 out contrast values, shows
an interesting edge boost (to 70 on the contrast chart) with 2/3rds out never
better than 55 on the chart; above-average barrel distortion; rather low flare
at 0.6%).
35 mm f/2.0 (lowest flare (0.25%) of any lens tested to date; consistently
lower contrast values than a Zuiko 35 mm f.2.8 at all apertures in center,
1/3rd out, 2/3rds out, with only the far edge better; moderate barrel
distortion).
35 mm f/2.8 (f/5.6 = optimum for center and 1/3rd out, f/8 for 2/3rds out and
far edge; slight barrel distortion; moderate 1.0 0.000000lare (vs. 0.35 in same
Canon lens; contrast values significantly higher than Canon in center, 2/3rds
out and far edge, slightly better at 1/3rd out). Seems to be a great
performer in the center and 1/3rd out, which I'd bear out over 25 years of
using this lens. For example, in "microfilming" maps on Kodachrome and in
high resolution landscapes on H&W Control VTE Pan and Kodak Technical Pan).
40 mm f/2 (better contrast values than the 35 mm f/2.8, but worse than a 50 mm
f/1.8, so best thought of as a near (mathematical) normal lens (with a 41.85
mm measured focal length), but without the edge deterioration associated with
wide angle lenses (real high edge values when stopped down to 5.6; flare a
moderate 1.0%; moderate barrel distortion). If this were a view camera lens,
it would probably be like comparing a Super-Symmar HM (this 40 mm Zuiko) to a
Super Angulon (a 35 mm Zuiko). Probably worth the used price if someone is
really into a 42 mm viewpoint (= 150 mm on a 4x5" camera). Maybe me?).
100 mm f/2 (no distortion; very even contrast values across the frame at at
all apertures; flare 0.65% (0.5 0n Canon); superior to the same Canon lens
wide open and similiar when stopped down, probably because of the ED glass in
the Zuiko).
35-70 f/3.6 (distortion moderate or less; flare rather controlled at 0.65 to
1.0; the Zuiko a bit better in distortion than the Canon 35 to 70mm f/4 which
has above average barrel distortion at 35 mm, but significantly better
contrast values in the Canon at 2/3rds out and far edge; the test said that
not using a lens hood would have reduced contrast values in the Zuiko 20%!).
Looks like I'm going to shop for a 35-70 f/4.0 or 35-105 f/3.5 to 4.5 Canon FD
for my gal after reading all this. That will match nicely her 70-210 and
100-300 zooms. She sure loves her 20 mm f/2.8 and 300 mm f/5.6 and 2A-X
converter, so it looks like I can't trade those for a 21 or 300 mm Zuiko. :(
Meanwhile I'll stick with mostly prime lenses (24 f/2.8 SC, 28 f/2.8 MC, 35
f/2.8 SC, 50 f/1.4 SC, 50 f/1.8 SC, 50 f/2.0 MC, 80 f/4 MC auto, 85 f/2 SC,
100 f/2.8 SC, 135 f/4.5 MC macro, 200 f/4 MC, 35-70 f3/5~4.5 MC). The
parallel system in Canon will emphasize the zooms and the extreme focal
lengths.
Gary Reese
Las Vegas, NV
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