Camera Labs

I was introduced to the ZD 14-35 SWD about a year ago in Melbourne, when I met my regular photo walk buddy, David. I have tried the lens occasionally, but I have never really experienced what it would be like to really own one. The opportunity arose to purchase a mint copy from a forum a month ago, and after many hours of using this lens personally, I am pleased to present this review to you.

The ZD 14-35 SWD, being the flagship of the Zuiko Digital series is the latest addition to the Super High Grade (SHG) professional zoom lens series with fixed F-values, which comprises of the ZD 7-14mm f4, 35-100mm f2.0 and 90-250mm f2.8 lenses. [multiply the focal lengths by 2 for 35mm field of view (FOV) equivalents]

In short, the 14-35 is a great lens, and should be seriously considered for shallow depth of field (DOF), and low light work. If you like to know more, read on http://brandoneu.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-personal-review-of-zuiko-digital-ed.html...

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http://brandoneu.co.cc/

http://brandoneu.blogspot.com

Cool. Even though it's a lens I'll probably never fork the money for.

This and the 35-100 are the fastest aperture zoom lenses ever made!

Unfortunately the rather small zoom range of the 14-35, enormous weight, and enormous price tag will make it a lens that I would never even consider. If I need a fast aperture, I'll just use a prime I guess.

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E-3!
12-60 2.8-4.0
12-60 2.8-40 [Also going]
40-150 3.5-4.5
70-300 4.0-5.6
Fl-48

Thanks for dropping by. Perhaps you shouldn't be too hasty to say you will never consider this lens before you've even tried one. I think we should be more objective and not let high prices be a turn off for good equipment.

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http://brandoneu.co.cc/

http://brandoneu.blogspot.com

Excellent review! Looks like a great lens, I'd like to try it, not sure if I'd buy it though. Maybe a lens rental would be good to see just how great this lens is myself.

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www.iandavisphoto.com
aim s/n: idotddot

I think I may have come off as a bit.... condescending in my post. Its a dream of a lens, don't get me wrong. I'm sure owning it would be a great pleasure. Its just that I don't feel that no matter how impressed I am with the performance, the lens will ever come out as a realistic lens I could own. Even price aside, I love the range of my 12-60mm as well as how relatively small and relatively light weight it is compared to rivals. Having a constant 1:2 aperture would be amazing I'm sure, but for my uses, its just not necessary to have on a zoom lens.

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E-3!
12-60 2.8-4.0
12-60 2.8-40 [Also going]
40-150 3.5-4.5
70-300 4.0-5.6
Fl-48

BTW, Brandoneu, I very much like your review of the 50-200. And your photo samples too.

I'm personally very tempted by this particular lens, despite the somewhat steep price (still much cheaper than the top pro 90-250 lens).

Masked Avenger,

The 50-200 is a great lens, but the 35-100 is phenomenal. I suggest giving both lenses a try before locking in your decision on which ones to acquire. Just my advice. Cheers.

Atomic,

I did say in the conclusion of my review that this lens is not for the masses. The 12-60 SWD would probably do justice to you for the moment if you're not into low light photography. The sigma 30/1.4 which you have is a good lens, but i reckon I prefer the convenience of the zoom. Plus, there isn't a wide angle prime yet on the market that's equivalent to a 28mm f2.0 for the fourthirds format.

Here are some additional samples from my flickr account:







[/img]

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http://brandoneu.co.cc/

http://brandoneu.blogspot.com

It looks fantastic, but price is again an issue. The same goes for size.

I find the Olympus pro line to be an acceptable compromize between the cheap, consumer lenses and the expensive, top pro line.

The only top pro lens I would seriously consider is the 7-14 one. It's cheaper and smaller than other top pro lens too.

Nice info brandoneu, thanks!

Thanks for the review... I am very interested in this lens and the 35-100mm... I have been scouring the web for reviews from real people that used the lens. Can you say if any of your photos have been enhanced in photoshop???

Hi Thai,

I do enhance my pics, but not by much. But I can definitely say that this lens is a gem if you do get a chance to try one for a day, but definitely not at the camera shop counter

Some more eye candy from this lens at f2



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http://brandoneu.co.cc/

http://brandoneu.blogspot.com

Brandoneu has had two months in the sun with his interesting review of the 14-35, but it's high time for another review!

And we know he has access to other lenses because he keeps posting pics taken with them (35-100) and we see his friends/colleages shooting with other lenses (90-250), all on his blog.

Avenger, thanks but perhaps its high time for you to submit reviews of your own gear too or is it ? I believe that there are other users here too which have the 14-35 but haven't submitted their own reviews. The 35-100 is also quite a common lens from the way I see it, and other reviews are freely available from a quick search in google.

Cheers.

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http://brandoneu.co.cc/

http://brandoneu.blogspot.com

I still haven't bought (Olympus) DSLR gear yet.

Besides, when I do, I'll probably go for a 12-60 and 50-200 lens combo. Lenses already well known and my reviews would likely be summed up as 'bigger, heavier, but so much better than my compact cameras!'