Paul C in the UK

It's an old post, I know - but I had this s-Zuiko 100-200mm F5,0 lens with an OM2 in 1984 and used it extensively all over India during a 6 month working stay. It fulfilled the brief of a lightweight zoom (only 9 glass elements) and delivered really great Kodachrome 64 images; sharp, excellent colour rendition and very good mechanics. I also had the 70-150 and rated this 100-200 as more useful so left the smaller range zoom behind. For daylight images F5.0 is no problem for focus - but it was critical to keep my eye exactly on axis for the microprism screen. Off axis by a few mm was all it takes to make it darken. Today, when I use film cameras it is for "slow" photography (akin to slow cooking) I prefer to use a 135mm or 200mm prime and leave zooms to where I have AF and image stabilisation and digital sensors. Stick to its intended use (lightweight, outdoors) and this can be a great lens. Best wishes to you all - Paul C

The Hanimex Treasure to look for is the "scalematic" 135mm f2.8. I have one in PK mount with the famous Green Ring proudly on the front. This is like the famous 200mm Sigma "scalematic" - in that it has 2 focus rings. One close to the camera for main focus and a second front ring that turns the lens into a near-macro. Turn this when the lens is at its closest focus using the closer large ring. The 200mm Sigma scalematic is always fiercely bid for on eBay - but the usual snobs miss out on the Hanimex 135mm. Mine cost £5 GBP, about 7 USD. Add your flashgun, dial in F8 or F11 and this Hanimex is a brilliant close up telephoto lens. Great for flowers, insects etc where the flash isn't showed out by the lens and you have a good working distance to the subject. Used for portraits at F2.8 or F3.5 - the front ring can be used to "de-focus" the periphery of the image. Wonderful fun and a surprise in an otherwise era of predictable kit zoom function! Best Wishes - Paul C