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Re: [OM] 300mm & 400mm Zuiko

Subject: Re: [OM] 300mm & 400mm Zuiko
From: "C.H.Ling" <ch_photo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:21:12 +0800
Ok, even I had some complain on the CA, the 300/4.5 is still an 
indispensable lens for me, I support about Ken's opinion, here are two shots 
taken with the lens early last year on an OM-40D body at F5.6.

This one shows the bokeh:

http://www.accura.com.hk/temp/IMG_1009.jpg

This one shows the details resolved:

http://www.accura.com.hk/temp/IMG_1017.jpg

Of course I expect it will work even better on a FF OM-5D II body :-)

C.H.Ling


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ken Norton"

> I'm of two minds here:
>
> Mind #1:  The 300/4.5 is an incredible lens and produces exceptionally 
> sharp
> images with a most lovely Bokeh.  In fact, the Bokeh is almost to beat
> somebody of the head and take their lens. For a 300mm, it is very compact
> and relatively lightweight. The focusing is usually a bit stiff, but at
> least it doesn't creep on you. As CH Ling points out, there is a very 
> slight
> bit of C/A, but in reality it is so slight as to not be an issue or even
> visible to most of us pikers.  I haven't found any C/A in images from my
> recent arrival.  Of course, the silvernosed versions are probably better.
> :)  My only real gripe with the 300/4.5 is the blackening of the 
> split-image
> viewfinder.  As the 2-13 focus screen's "matte" image area is actually a
> field of micro-micro-prisms, it's like the focus screen just suddenly 
> loses
> oomph and focusing is more difficult.  Still not as dark or difficult as a
> 1-series screen, but there is a marked difference in the focus screen
> between F4 and F4.5. On the E-1, this lens is easily handheld.
>
> Mind #2:  The Tokina AT-X 100-300/4 lens is a bargain when you can find
> them.  I bought mine from a fellow list-member and feel like a bandit for
> getting it so cheep--but the going price just is so low.  I have ONLY two
> gripes with this lens.  First gripe is that it's a one-touch zoom.  I 
> really
> dislike one-touch zooms because any change in focal-length screws up your
> focus and vice-versa.  The second gripe is that it is soft wide-open.
> (actually, it's not necessarily "soft", it's just lacking contrast). 
> Unlike
> the Zuiko 300/4.5, this is not a lens to be shot below F5.6 for fine work.
> However, at F5.6 to F16 the lens is exceptionally sharp, contrasty and
> well-controlled. The lens is not nearly as well balanced as the 300/4.5 
> and
> much harder to handhold without vibration.  But, I must remind myself that
> I'm trying to handhold on the E-1 the equivalent of 600mm!!!!   I suppose 
> I
> must "get real".
>
> The following is an article illustrated with images taken only with the
> Tokina AT-X 100-300/4 on the E-1:
>
> http://zone-10.com/cmsm/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=335&Itemid=1
>
> My preferred method of shooting either of these lenses is on a monopod, 
> but
> for landscapy shots, I much rather be shooting the 300/4.5 on a tripod
> mounted to the nose of an OM-2S, OM-3Ti or OM-4T.
>
> Tamron probably made the best 300/2.8 in OM mount. The Tamron 300/2.8 is 
> one
> of those lenses that will get you noticed!  Don't plan on handholding it,
> though.  Tokina made a 300/2.8, but you never hear about them.  The Sigma
> 300/2.8 was typical Sigma build quality.  (ugh).
>
> I've been rearranging my camera bags and my current "go kit" (used to 
> cover
> the typical grip-n-grin and generic shoot) contains the E-1 with 14-54,
> OM-4T with 35-80 and the Tokina 100-300/4 Zoom.  A pair of 285HV flashes 
> and
> wireless remotes round out the bag.
>
> The second bag holds the OM-3Ti, 24/2.8, 35/2.8 and/or 35/shift, 50/3.5
> macro, 100/2.8, 200/4 and 300/4.  Amazingly enough, all this fits in a 
> small
> LowePro Elite III shoulder bag.
>
> So, short answer:  Get the Zuiko 300/4.5 and enjoy!
>
> AG

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