Camera Labs

This is an Olympus lens for the FourThirds system.

It covers the longer telephoto zoom range of 70-300mm, which due to the 2x crop factor of the FourThirds system gives the equivalent horizontal field of view as a 140-600mm lens on a full frame sensor.

The zoom function is a standard twist type, although as an observation the direction is opposite from that of Sony and Canon lenses. It takes about 1/4 turn to go from each end of the zoom range. The action feels good with enough but not too much resistance. The inner barrel that extends is low in weight and on my sample no creep occurred.

The front section extends during zooming, and also when focusing closely. The front rotates when focusing. Auto-focus speed is reasonable and not particularly fast or slow. There is a switch on the lens where you can select AF or MF. Common to their other lens it features the focus by wire system.

In addition to its ability as a regular zoom, it also claims to be macro. The lens has a maximum magnification of 0.5x (1:2) at 300mm and its minimum focus distance of just under 1m. Again considering the crop factor of the FourThirds system, this is equivalent FoV to 1:1 on a full frame sensor. As a minor negative, the AF only works down to a distance of 1.2m, which is about 0.33x or 1:3 magnification.

So what we have here is a lens that is capable of photographing small subjects from a long distance, and also has a strong macro potential. How does it work in practice?

I find this close to being my perfect outdoor lens, considering my style doesn't cover wide angles. Distant subjects, general close ups and macros are covered well by this single lens. Picture quality is generally very good, with no significant negatives that I can see. In particular, CA is practically non-existent in the photos I've taken and maintaining good sharpness at the long end.

To me the lens doesn't have any significant weaknesses given the system and placement. I personally don't like the manual focus by wire system, as I don't feel as connected as I would with a normal direct mechanical link. And as always the AF speed could better and bigger apertures would be handy, but that's another lens.

I've added a small selection of my photos in the gallery thread.

_________________
Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Thanks popo for sharing the experience...

I have the same lens and I find it hard to use with the hood.
It's so tight that it's impossible to release without rotating the focal barrel. I hope the friction will not damage the lens. Most of the time I will use it without the hood.

btw, from your signature, do you still want to sell it? I have been thinking about it, too.

_________________

Please forgive my poor English...
My camera gears
Sony M1
Olympus E-520
14-42mm, 40-150mm, 70-300mm
Wish list for now:
12-60mm or 14-54mm II, a decent tripod
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/donalone/
design portfolio: http://www.id.iit.edu/~chlee
blog: http://donniett.spaces.live.com (Chinese)

I knew I forgot something in the review. I also never use the hood. Not had any problems with flare in my usage. And yes, because of the rotating front element which it attaches to, it does twist it around when you fit/remove it unless it is at the correct end stop already.

As for selling it, I've posted it elsewhere and prefer to keep it somewhat local.

_________________
Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.