Problems between the AF100 and the Olympus 14-35mm lens

Q

quintino

Member
I bought the Olympus 14-35mm lens for my AF100 and the lens makes a lot noise when I change aperture using the iris control on the camera. The communication between the camera and the lens seems to be ok but this noise worries me. I'm afraid other problems could happen in the future. Any input? Thanks!
 
I had this lens and sold it after half a year. IQ is great but I felt since it wasn't made for video shooting with aperture clicking and such I ditched it. One thing you might notice when using a 521PFI remote is you can't go down to F2.0 with it attached. Zuiko lenses are great... on still camera but not so great on a video camera.
 
Thanks for your input editman. So, you had the same aperture clicking, huh? They are great lens but maybe not for video as you said.
 
Optically, speed and focal range wise I love the lens. But the damn hard step aperture change along with a 1/3 stop change during zooming (which I rarely do) drives me nuts. Such a shame since it's a fantastic lens. The audible clicking doesn't bother me and I've never picked it up on camera.

*As Swanny mentioned below. It too is my go to lens for probably 70% of what I film.
 
This is my go-to lens for a lot of shooting. I have the varizoom controller, and it works great. It's just noise, nothing is actually wrong. I've been shooting with it solid since I purchased my camera when it released, and can't complain.
 
When I know I'll need to zoom at all while filming, I just shoot wide open. Hasn't been a problem at all. Speed and quality of the image far outweighs the cons in my case.
 
I have the lens but don't really use it anymore and thinking about selling it. Besides the problems listed above, I don't feel the lens has enough contrast, so the look isn't right (tho it is sharp!). I'm spoiled by my Red 17-35, but I also like the Nikon-mount Tokina 28-70 2.8 better. Neither are as fast, but color/contrast is so much better IMHO.
 
I would sell this lens and wait for that Lumix 12-35 and hoping for it to be atleast F2.8. But I also think a 35-100 is much more versatile for i.e interviews.
 
I've had a similar experience with my Olympus 12-60 f2.8-4. It OUGHT to be my go-to lens. It is nice and sharp, I often shoot at f/4 on the AF100 anyway and on paper I should be able to use it as a variable prime without changing lenses for a lot of shots.

BUT. I just don't love the lens. I can't really put my finger on why, maybe too many little compromises and something about the overall image rendition.

I always reach for the Panasonic primes (I have 14, 20, 45 - LOVE the 45) and the Voigtlander 25(love love love), supplemented with a cheap and cheerful 45-200 for when you need the length. I also love that the AF100 is clean enough that I don't think twice about increasing the ISO to compensate for that lens' slower aperture, and it intercuts just fine.

The Olympus stays in the bag an awful lot of the time. So I'll probably sell mine if the new Panasonic zooms prove to be any good, and I'm not planning on buying any more Olympus glass for video shooting.

Cheers, Hywel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top