j_y1 Posted October 18, 2003 Share Posted October 18, 2003 Hello everyone! I've read some reviews on this lens already, but I haven't found much. I'm just wondering what you all have to say about it. There's only a 50mm on my OM2, but I would like to add a 35 since these are the two focal lengths I usually use. Thanks so much for your opinions.jc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_goldfarb Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 It was the second Zuiko I bought, intending to use it as my normal lens... (I'd always loved the old 35/2 on my dad's Nikon Fs and F2s.) And I have gotten some good shots with it over the years, but I find that I rarely use it: 1 - It doesn't seem to have the critical sharpness that my other Zuikos do. I can't really prove it shooting focus charts (I've tried), it's just a feeling of it being a hair softer. 2 - It's longer and heavier than my other lenses, and with a big 55mm-wide front end, it seems to unbalance the body. Even my 100/2.8 is smaller and weighs less (at least it *feels* like it does). And the 28/2.8 and 24/2.8 are much smaller, as is the 50/1.8. So, while I do sometimes use mine - on the occasions when I only want to carry a single lens (most of the time, I carry the 24/2.8 and 100/2.8) - it hasn't turned out to be the dream lens I was hoping for. That's just my own experience, I'm sure there are plenty of folks who love the 35/2, and hopefully they'll report in... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_katz1 Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 My experience is similar to Michael's. I liked the lens, but felt it wasn't quite as sharp as some of my other Zuikos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.martin___ Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 Ditto. I have one as well, but rarely use it. Personally, when I want a 35mm focal length to take along, I am more likely to grab my Stylus Epic or my Contax T3. While the latter is obviously way more expensive than a used 35mm F2, the former probably isn't and gives you more versatility (a second camera with a different film if you wish), albeit at the cost of a lack of control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_y1 Posted October 19, 2003 Author Share Posted October 19, 2003 Thanks everyone for your replies...The notion I got reading reviews on this lens was exactly what you guys have mentioned - that it was a little softer than other zuikos. Thanks again,jc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_reese2 Posted October 20, 2003 Share Posted October 20, 2003 Hi Henry: Now that you have a handful of subjective opinions, you might already be satisfied in a conclusion to stay away from this lens. On the other hand, Popular Photography testing showed it had the lowest flare level of any lens they had tested to date. Another way to look at this is "what other options are there if you want a 35mm focal length?" For that, try a reference provided to you where you cross posted this question: <a href=http://members.aol.com/olympusom/lenstests/default.htm>Olympus OM Lens Tests</a>. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_reese2 Posted October 20, 2003 Share Posted October 20, 2003 Oops, my apologies! This thread was started by Jeremiah and he didn't cross or duplicate post. My old SysOp tendencies are rearing their ugly head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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