one lens challenge

Do-it-all one-lens (on the camera at a time) kit: 21/2, 28/2, 50/1.2,

100/2, 250/2. Along with the auto bellows and a couple macro

lenses, it fits in a (big) backpack. No problem! Your friends,

family, and strangers alike will admire your juggling act.

 

Or, you could also, like I did on a recent vacation to savage

lands, take only a body and a 35/2.8. It's a very small useful lens,

pretty sharp wide open. I didn't miss the extra stop of the larger,

possible inferior 35/2. On the other hand, it's bigger than an Epic

with a 35/2.8, but you want manual control.

The 28mm f/2 might be your one lens.

 

I used to use the 35-70 f/3.5-4.5 others have mentioned. It's sharp, but too slow for you. The filter threads and zoom action on mine wore out so I threw the lens out.

 

The 35mm f/2 has a bad reputation; whether that is deserved or not I could not say.

I forgot to mention that both the 24mm and 28 f/2.8 lenses have severe fall-off wide open. In the case of the 24mm lens it doesn't clear up until f/5.6, which probably rules it out for your application.

Laura,

 

Consider getting an Olympus 28F2.8 and doing some shooting with it before you go. If you like the focal length then fine. Otherwise, sell/trade and get a 35F2.8MC (not SC or silvernose). I'd still take the 50F1.8 along for interior or night shots, though. Additionally, I'd seriously consider leaving the OM at home and getting a compact digital and an Olympus Stylus Epic for film. What do you intend to do with the final pictures; post to web, enlarge to 11x16, or what?

 

Frank,

 

I was unaware of the 35F2.0 having a bad rep. Why do you think it's bad?

"Fast Primes", I don't think the 35/2 is bad, because I've never used one. In fact, I've never <i>seen</i> one, which in itself is a bad sign. Since I've never met anyone who's actually used it, I have to judge its reputation based on what I read on the net. Whereas living, breathing people have told me that the 24/2 and 28/2 are good.

As with most mass manufactured things that are not each hand inspected to ensure compliance with high standards, quality control varies. Same with lenses.

 

My 28/2.8 Zuiko is sharp, contrasty and doesn't have severe falloff wide open. All are the source of common complaints about this lens. Maybe I just got lucky.

 

It's pretty well known and widely documented that the humble 50mm f/1.8 Zuiko varied considerably in optical quality throughout its production life, the last variant generally considered to be the best.

 

While Gary Reese has, on his website, published the results of tests of - to my knowledge - every manual focus Zuiko, including in some cases two, maybe three samples of each, I don't know of any single source using the same methodology that has tested every variant of every Zuiko and published the results. Naturally there will be some differences in experiences with these lenses, especially considering that some early Zuikos were single coated and later multicoated.

 

It's the kind of minutiae that Leicaphiles tend to revel in and most other photographers disregard in favor of making photographs.

>My 28/2.8 Zuiko is sharp, contrasty and doesn't have severe falloff wide open. All are the source of >common complaints about this lens. Maybe I just got lucky.

 

Great !! maybe it's time for starting a thread on the 28/2.8. Mine is serial #118xxx, it's sharp and contrasty but does have falloff wide open, and is much better at f4

 

Fernando

(oh, and it's been waterproofed too )

on a 24x36mm format camera a Canon 28mm f/1.4 or a 35mm f/2 EF lens for a Canon 1Ds

mk.2 or 5D.

Go down one size (40mm/f2) or two (35mm/f2). You lost weight and size with the 40 too.