Olympus OM-Zuiko 300mm f4.5 Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: Daniel Geiger
(Expert)

Review Date
January 1, 2004

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Review 1 of 5

Price Paid: $400.00 from Wolf Camera Basel

Summary:

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.

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.

Similar Products Used:

Zeiss Sonnar 180mm f/2.8, OM 65-200 Zoom.

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Rating
Reviewed by:
(Expert)

Review Date
October 8, 2002

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Review 2 of 5

Price Paid: $285.00 from Ebay

Summary:

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.

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.

Similar Products Used:

XX-300mm zooms from Sigma & Tamron

Customer Service:

Not Required

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Rating
Reviewed by: ethanl
(Intermediate)

Review Date
September 27, 2002

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Review 3 of 5

Price Paid: $639.00 from B&H photovideo

Summary:

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!).

Strengths:

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

Weaknesses:

A bit heavy!

Similar Products Used:

Various independent zooms.

Customer Service:

Not needed

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Rating
Reviewed by: Warren Kato
(Intermediate)

Review Date
January 15, 2000

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 4 of 5

Model Reviewed:
OM-Zuiko 300mm f4.5

Summary:

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

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.

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

Customer Service:

Not needed.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Karlis Ozols
(Expert)

Review Date
November 23, 1999

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 5 of 5

Model Reviewed:
OM-Zuiko 300mm f4.5

Summary:

Quality optic at moderate price

Strengths:

Distortion free
Use of teleconverters acceptable

Weaknesses:

None

Similar Products Used:

Tamron 300mm 5.6

Customer Service:

Not used

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