Olympus Zuiko Super Telephoto Zoom ED Lens

Great lens, depending on your needs, IF you get a good sample

Strengths: excellent optical design • strong image quality • value

Weaknesses: manual focus operation • questionable QC

Summary: 2008-02-05 18:07:21 On the plus side, the optical performance of this lens is excellent throughout the zoom range, though like most lenses in this class, it's best not to use it wide open at the long end of the focal length range. Like most Olympus ZD lenses, the ZD 70-300 f/4-5.6 zoom lens uses a focus by wire mechanism for manual focus operation. I don't have a problem with this per se. However, one serious flaw I discovered, at least with my sample of the lens, is that when used in MF mode, the focus mechanism frequently jumps several increments when focusing slowly and deliberately. To achieve focus, I have to turn the MF focus ring back in the opposite direction from which I started, and attempt again to get a clean focus. More often than not, several attempts are required to achieve proper focus. Other users of this lens have reported similar MF problems on the Olympus SLR talk forum at www.dpreview.com, suggesting that it's a common factory defect. If you own or plan to purchase this lens and manual focus is an operation you value, then you should test whether your sample functions properly in MF mode.

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Amazingly sharp lens for the price. But focus is weak.

Strengths: Sharp; lightweight; macro focus

Weaknesses: Not SWD; F/5.6

Summary: 2008-02-22 12:34:38 Quick homemade resolution chart test. Tested on an E-510. Note that 2100 LPH is the maximum of E-510. Anything sharper doesn't show here.

70mm F/4 2100; F/5.6~ 2100

150mm F/4.6 1900; F/5.6~ 2100

220mm F/?? ???; F/7.1~ 1950+

300mm F/5.6 1750 F/8.0~ 1850+

'+' means not sure, but at least.

Wow! Amazing sharpness for its price and weight.

Compared to the similar offers in Nikon and Canon, I am happy with this Zuiko lens. 1850+ LPH at 600mm equivalent, for under 400 dollars, is some incredible bargain. Plus, it focuses down to 1:2---that is 1:1 equivalent in 35mm world. I get bird shots and butterfly shots all with this one lens!

But it has one downside (or say tradeoff for the price): slow noisy focus. And E-510's focusing engine is no where as good as a Nikon's. So don't expect it to be easy to use this lens. Also wish it was wider than F/5.6 at the tele end. So be aware of its limits and prepared to use it only in bright light. You need some careful work to get the most out of it.

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Excellent consumer lens

Strengths: Fantastic range of focal lengths, strong macro capability, high quality construction, light weight, good price, excellent value, uses the same 58mm filters as other Olympus kit lenses.

Weaknesses: Small maximum aperture + long focal lengths = blury images in anything but bright daylight unless a tripod is used

Summary: Outdoorsmen, sports lovers, and backpackers, rejoice! Here is a fantastic lens for your favorite hobbies. This lens offers increadable reach (600mm effective focal length) in a remarkably lightweight package. On sunny days, it can be used handheld--just keep the shutter speed above 1/600th of a second. Olympus cameras like the E-510 and E-3, which offer built-in image stabilizers, will also help prevent blurry shots. The lens also offers a macro mode, but the very long focal length magnifies shakes and requires a tripod to be used effectively. However, don't consider that a disadvantage, but rather another little extra thrown into this already very affordable super telephoto lens.

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Zuiko Super Telephoto 70-300mm

Strengths: Very clean, not too heavy, my wife is able to handle it

Weaknesses: haven't found it yet

Summary: You can't beat it at that price point. Very satisfied with the clarity and I am enjoying the focus ability of an up close shot. The weight is such that my wife can handle it.

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Zuiko 70-300 mm lens

Strengths: price and weight

Weaknesses: difficult to focus "fast" (ex: sporting events)

Summary: I am very pleased with my purchase. My 1st two choices were $2K and $1K so this lens for $400 was an obvious choice considering I am a non professional. I have been very pleased with the photos I have taken thus far. I was concerned that the weight of the lens would cause camera shake but I haven't had any problems. I would definately recommend this lens!

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Great lens Great price

Strengths: The focal length

Weaknesses: poor low light operation

Summary: This lens is well worth the money but needs to be used in good light or it will hunt to focus. The lens is very lite and is a great addition to anybodys lens collection.

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70-300mm Impressive Amateur Lens

Strengths: The lens appears to be well built. Light enough to be hand held.

Weaknesses: Switching focus from near to far is slow. You\\\'ll need to pre-focus on fast moving objects.

Summary: This is a daylight sports lens. Too slow to capture outdoor creatures at dusk. I think this new Zuiko lens is an excellent value. IT adds range over the kit lenses I was looking for without breaking the bank.

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