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Re: [OM] Silvernose.

Subject: Re: [OM] Silvernose.
From: Moose <olymoose@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2003 15:51:42 -0800
There are 2 only slightly parallel things going on here.

1. Oly updated their lens formulations over time. Some changes involved changes as radical as in the number of elements/groups. Some were mechanical changes. The vast majority were coating changes, mostly from single to multi-coating, but some changes to the coating details. The standard 50mm lenses had the most changes, with at least 5 different versions of the f1.8 and 4 of the f1.4. Very early f1.4 & 1.8s are noticeably softer than late versions. The changes from one version to the next are generally not earthshaking. In many cases, the only discernable difference between SC and MC versions of the same lens is in increased resistance to flare, although some listees believe SCs have more desireable color balance. My guess is that some SC lenses are so loved by their owners exactly because they are slightly softer wide open and have slightly less contrast, thus making them more pleasing lenses for pictures of people. Others will disagree. Gary Reese's lens tests often cover both SC and MC versions of the same lens. My personal conclusion from Gary's tests, other published info and list posts is that it is probable that individual performance variations due to manufacturing tolerances may be as big or bigger than the average differences in measureable performance between SC and MC versions of some lenses in non flare situations. 2. Early Zuiko lenses were styled with polished chrome accents on the front of the aperture rings, filter rings and built-in lens hoods. A later styling change to all black except for matte chrome (2 tone shiny/matte on last 50mm versions) on the outside of the mounting ring roughly coincided in time with the switch from SC to MC. Thus it is true to say that most "silver-nose" lenses are SC and most black nose lenses are MC. However, there a significant number of silver-nose MC lenses and vice versa. For more info on Zuiko lens terminology see <http://olympus.dementia.org/eSIF/om-sif/lensgroup/lensterms.htm>.

There is generally no mechanical problem characteristic of any particular early or late version of any Zuiko that I am aware of except for some later versions of the standard 50mm lenses. It appears from my experience and list postings that the fourth major version of the 50/1.8 (black nose with "MC" marking) is prone to getting oil in the aperture mechanism which slows or even stops aperture reopening after exposure. This is hardly ever true of earlier versions and apparently less common with the last version ("made in Japan" text on front ring instead of "MADE IN JAPAN" on side of mounting ring).

To get an idea of the overall improvement over time, check Gary's tests of the 50/1.8 SC against his tests of the 35-70/3.6 and /3.5-4.5 lenses at 50mm and the latest 50mm versions. They agree with my experience that the 35-70/3.6 is a better performer (at the same stops) at 50mm than my original, very early SC 50/1.8 and the latest 50mm versions are better than both.
.
Moose


Gareth.J.Martin wrote:

Is there any difference in mechanical or optical quality from the normal Zuiko lenses?




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