Olympus Zuiko 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 ED Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Standard Four Thirds Digital SLR Cameras

by Olympus

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5 x 3.2 x 3.2 inches ; 1.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000V72AXM
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 261057
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (152 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 16, 2007

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Offering a field of view to 600mm (35mm equivalent), the high-mobility Olympus Zuiko 70-300mm super-telephoto lens is an ideal choice for sports, nature, and other types of long-distance photography. The lens incorporates three extra-low-dispersion (ED) lens elements, which combine to offer a sharper, higher-contrast imaging performance, The lens's Four-Thirds system, meanwhile, ensures that you don't lose your macro or super-telephoto versatility when you switch to a different camera body. The lens even supports tele-macro photography thanks to its 1x magnification (35mm equivalent).

Specifications

• Focal length: 70-300mm
• Maximum aperture: f/4 to f/5.6
• Lens construction: 14 elements in 10 groups
• Angle of view: 18 to 4.1 degrees
• Closest focusing distance: 3.14 feet
• Maximum image magnification: 0.5x
• Filter size: 58mm
• Dimensions: 3.14 inches in diameter and 5 inches long
• Weight: 21.9 ounces
• Warranty: 1 year

Product Description

D1) Oylmpus 70-300MM F4-5.6 ZUIKO

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

86 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice lens for the price!, May 8, 2008

By 

penguinlvr (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Olympus Zuiko 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 ED Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Standard Four Thirds Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

With this lens you can really feel like you are almost next to your subject. I can't wait to get some shots at the next full moon. For the price, it is a great lens. The bokeh on this lens is nice, with a shallow DOF. That said, there are some shortcomings, but I would expect that from a telephoto zoom lens like this. First, the auto-focus will hunt in low light. I really don't think I'm going to be using the 300mm end of the lens in low light anyway. I noticed that the lens didn't seem to focus well if you had multiple focus points selected. Pick one of your focus points and use it. Remember that this lens, while light-weight is not one that you want to use hand-held at 300mm unless you can get a very short shutter speed. I noticed more than a few shots had problems with camera shake using longer shutter speeds.

55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice low cost tele-zoom, January 12, 2008

By 

Serious Cook "W.T.E." (Bakersfield, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Olympus Zuiko 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 ED Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Standard Four Thirds Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

As a long-time 35 mm shooter, it was amazing to find the equivalent of a 140-600 f 5.6 lens for $400.00. The lens shoots clear, rich color photos. The only negatives I have found are slow auto-focus, and difficulty focusing under indoor lighting. Otherwise, this is a fine lens.

68 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insanely sharp lens!, February 20, 2008

By 

Y. Pan (Athens, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Olympus Zuiko 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 ED Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Standard Four Thirds Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

First I got only mediocre results from this les then I decided to to a quick resolution chart test. And I couldn't believe my eyes that how sharp it is, at least in a studio. Let me provide you my results.
Tested on an Evolt E-510. Please note that the horizontal absolute resolution limit of E-510 is just 2100 LPH due to the famous DPReview.com. Anything sharper won't reflect here.
Here you go.
70mm F/4: 2100 LPH. F/4~up, 2100+ LPH.
150mm F/4.6 1900 LPH; F5.6~up 2100 LPH.
220mm F/?? didn't test; F/7.1~up 1950+ LPH.
300mm F/5.6 1750+ LPH; F/8~up 1850+ LPH.

"+" means unsure but at least.
Note I am just trying to measure the 'absolute resolution' here which means the 'extinction resolution' go even higher (usually 250 LPH higher).

Wow! This means from 70-150mm (that is 140-300mm equivalent) the lens resolution is beyond the current 4/3 cameras! From 150-300mm (that is 300mm-600mm equivalent) this lens pretty much scratches E-510's limits.

On the downside. I do find the focus to be very slow, especially in low light where it can be erratic. It is frustrating sometimes. So my medicore results came from the focus. Whenever I get the focus right, I get tack sharp results. But it is not easy with this lens. Be prepared to use this lens only in bright light.

How much did I pay for this lens? 360 dollars, not 3600 dollars! I know its limit but with some very careful work I can get some professional level results on my wildlife shots.