Are you Olympus owners happy with the 35-100, or do you think something else is worth the attention? I currently have the 14-35 and am very happy with it so far, and am going to purchase a longer lens very soon. My question is, doest the iris glitch or anything else about this lens make you wish you had gotten a different lens? I have the 14-140 but I want a faster long lens.
35-100 vs 80-200
- Thread starter swanny
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Petros Kolyvas
Well-known member
This is simply my opinion, so 35-100 owners please take it for what it is:
I rented and used the 35-100 for two days - actually I rented it for a week but stopped using it after two days. I really disliked it. The iris glitch (if that's what it is) is terrible on its own. I also experienced pronounced image shifts when zooming, so this lens (to me at least) is more of a variable prime than it is a "zoom" lens. Of course the later issue could simply be this one example - a sample size of one is not enough to make a judgement on.
F2 is very nice and the range (35-100) was just about perfect for a lot of work, but I'd have a hard time using this lens for my own productions.
If you planned on never zooming during a shot it might work very nicely though.
I continue, like others, to wait for the Birger.
I rented and used the 35-100 for two days - actually I rented it for a week but stopped using it after two days. I really disliked it. The iris glitch (if that's what it is) is terrible on its own. I also experienced pronounced image shifts when zooming, so this lens (to me at least) is more of a variable prime than it is a "zoom" lens. Of course the later issue could simply be this one example - a sample size of one is not enough to make a judgement on.
F2 is very nice and the range (35-100) was just about perfect for a lot of work, but I'd have a hard time using this lens for my own productions.
If you planned on never zooming during a shot it might work very nicely though.
I continue, like others, to wait for the Birger.
I use the Olympus 35-100mm f2 mounted on a fixed tripod where it can be auto or pre-focused for each shot. As a variable prime lens, its image quality and remarkable light gathering ability is unmatched among varifocal lenses. As a zoom lens, however, you have to recognize that it is an electronic device that is manipulated by the camera to simulate the behavior of a mechanical zoom lens. This simulation works very well for static shots, but in dynamically changing situations, the camera is not always able to manipulate the lens seamlessly in real time.
tflak
Veteran
I've used the 35-100 for two years and it's a rare shoot when it's not part of my kit - along with the 14-35. When used as variable primes nothing even comes close to matching them. It's a great combo.
I guess the reason I love these lenses so much is because it never occurred to me that they should somehow function as parfocal video zooms. As has been pointed out by others; these are varifocal still lenses. If you buy a 2 wheel drive when what you really want is a 4 wheel drive disappointment can't be far behind.
lpowell -- your take on these lenses (posted here and elsewhere) is definitely refreshing in light of all the criticism I've been reading lately in other threads about what these lenses are not. You've taken the professional approach of recognizing them for what they are; deftly explaining both their strengths and limitations and then suggesting how to get the most out of them with that in mind. This is the type of info that keeps me reading this forum. Much appreciated.
I guess the reason I love these lenses so much is because it never occurred to me that they should somehow function as parfocal video zooms. As has been pointed out by others; these are varifocal still lenses. If you buy a 2 wheel drive when what you really want is a 4 wheel drive disappointment can't be far behind.
lpowell -- your take on these lenses (posted here and elsewhere) is definitely refreshing in light of all the criticism I've been reading lately in other threads about what these lenses are not. You've taken the professional approach of recognizing them for what they are; deftly explaining both their strengths and limitations and then suggesting how to get the most out of them with that in mind. This is the type of info that keeps me reading this forum. Much appreciated.
And that's pretty much what I would use them for, is variable primes. I really like the f/2.0 on these lenses. You are absolutely right about lpowell's response, and yours as well tflak. Point out the downfalls and their strengths, and let the person decide whether or not it's right for them.