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Olympus OM-Zuiko 300mm f4.5 35mm Primes

4.2/5 (5 Reviews)

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  • Camera Format35 mm SLR
    Lens TypeFixed Focal Length Lens
    Focal Length300mm
    Lens Max Aperturef/4.5
    Min Aperturef/32
    Focus TypeManual Focus
    Macro LensWithout Macro Lens
    Closest Focusing Distance138 in
    Picture Angle8 degrees
    Attachment / Filter Size72 mm
    Groups / Elements6 Elements in 4 Groups
    Diameter3.2 in
    Length7 in
    Weight36 oz
    MPN103600
    Product ID20723658

Product Description



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Reviews 1 - 5 (5 Reviews Total)

User Reviews

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Daniel Geiger a Expert

Date Reviewed: January 1, 2004

Strengths:    relatively cheap tele with decent performance.

Weaknesses:    Pronounced lateral color when using extension tubes.

OM SLR system is no longer developped. Switched to Contax/Zeiss.

Bottom Line:   
Tele of good value to performance ratio. Built in hood is sufficient, and tripod collar is a plus, though problematic with wider quick release plates (Linhof), and a motor drive or winder on the camera, as turning the camera from landscape to portrait becomes tricky.

Have used it with 65-113 mm extension tube to get 1:4 portraits of venomous snakes in the field. That works quite well, though there is pronounced lateral color in the corners.

With OM 2x converter focussing becomes a problem as the microprism and the horizontal half moon becomes dark. You can use a fine matte screen instead, and they can be easily exchanged with all OM cameras.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   21+ years

Price Paid:    $400.00

Purchased At:   Wolf Camera Basel

Similar Products Used:   Zeiss Sonnar 180mm f/2.8, OM 65-200 Zoom.

Type of photography:   Outdoor

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:5
Submitted by a Expert from Atlanta, GA

Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002

Strengths:    Lightweight, easily hand-holdable
Sharp and Contrasty even at f4.5

Weaknesses:    Slow aperture, Close focus at 12ft.
1.4X teleconverters hard to come by and
insanely expensive.

Bottom Line:   
This lens was designed in the early 1970s
when the OM-System was introduced so the design is dated evidenced by the 12ft minimum focus distance and lack of internal focus. Lens does not rotate during focusing which is good for using polarizers.

Almost half the weight of the current AF 300mm f4 from Canon and Nikon, though about 1/3 stop slower. Sharper than any of the XX-300mm zooms out there. A bargain when purchased used. Get the Multicoated version as it has much better contrast wide open. Some are labeled MC for multicoated and late models marked ZUIKO AUTO-T 300mm 1:4,5 are multicoated.
Make sure you get the tripod mount.

Very sharp lens for 300mm provided you use
tripod or good handheld techniques. Excellent alternative to the more expensive Canon/Nikon AF 300mm f4 as long as you do not need close focus and auto-focus.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   21+ years

Price Paid:    $285.00

Purchased At:   Ebay

Similar Products Used:   XX-300mm zooms from Sigma & Tamron

Type of photography:   Outdoor

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:4
Submitted by ethanl a Intermediate from England

Date Reviewed: September 27, 2002

Strengths:    Typical solid Olympus build quality, detachable tripod mount, built in lens hood.

Weaknesses:    A bit heavy!

Bottom Line:   
I do not use this lens often, but every now and again an opportunity arises where nothing else in my lens arsenal will do. The Zuiko 300mm is big and heavy, but its dimensions instill confidence in the user. I use the lens mostly for landscape work, but have also found it great for portraiture (not head and shoulder shots though!).

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   21+ years

Price Paid:    $639.00

Purchased At:   B&H photovideo

Similar Products Used:   Various independent zooms.

Type of photography:   Outdoor

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:5
Submitted by Warren Kato a Intermediate from Orange, CA USA

Date Reviewed: January 15, 2000

Strengths:    Relatively compact, sharp and contrasty. Good color rendition. Works well with the 1.4X.

Weaknesses:    Not a real problem but it takes a few twists of the wrist to get it from far to close focus bec. it doesn't have internal focusing.

Bottom Line:   
For the price a nice sharp telephoto for Olympus. Make sure to get it with the tripod mount.

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   11-20 years

Similar Products Used:   Tokina 300/5.6 and various third party zooms. The Zuiko is the best of the lot. I haven't tried any of the 300/2.8s

Type of photography:   Landscapes

Overall Rating:4
Value Rating:4
Submitted by Karlis Ozols a Expert from Reading, Berkshire United Kingdom

Date Reviewed: November 23, 1999

Strengths:    Distortion free
Use of teleconverters acceptable

Weaknesses:    None

Bottom Line:   
Quality optic at moderate price

Expand full review >>

Duration Product Used:   11-20 years

Similar Products Used:   Tamron 300mm 5.6

Type of photography:   People


Reviews 1 - 5 (5 Reviews Total)

Review Options:  Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating

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  • Camera Format35 mm SLR
    Lens TypeFixed Focal Length Lens
    Focal Length300mm
    Lens Max Aperturef/4.5
    Min Aperturef/32
    Focus TypeManual Focus
    Macro LensWithout Macro Lens
    Closest Focusing Distance138 in
    Picture Angle8 degrees
    Attachment / Filter Size72 mm
    Groups / Elements6 Elements in 4 Groups
    Diameter3.2 in
    Length7 in
    Weight36 oz
    MPN103600
    Product ID20723658


 

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