Zuiko quality (was RE: [APML] Filter Size query)

["Lane, Jason R" <jason.lane@navy.mil>]

Hi Ian,

Great find!  I've been wanting a Zuiko 300mm lens (at the right price) for quite some time now.  A lot of the Zuiko lenses are great for astrophotography.  The only Zuiko I've used that gives so-so results is my 75-210 zoom.  In telephoto, I own the f/2.8 135mm and the 200 mm f/4.  These are both great lenses, and my favorite is the 200mm.  The link below is an example of a shot that I took with the lens wide open (f/4).  If you take a close look, you'll see that the stars are sharp all the way to the corners.  I was pretty happy when I saw this.  The reason I mention the 200mm in particular is that your 300mm lens will give similar performance, although I believe you will see some slight distortion where I'd have none (nothing to worry about, IMO).  I don't think you will be disappointed.  

Example of astrophoto taken w/ wide open Zuiko 200mm f/4:
http://www1.iwvisp.com/opticman/astroimages/sagwide.html

Also for your info, here is a link to a Zuiko lens resource page and a Zuiko lens test page where the lenses were tested for image quality.

Resource:
http://www.datasync.com/~farrar/zuiko.html#tele

Lens quality test (great site!)
http://members.aol.com/olympusom/lenstests/default.htm

and an excellent technical information site about the OM photography system:
http://olympus.dementia.org/Hardware/

Hope this helps.  :)

-Jason


-----Original Message-----
From: astro-photo-bounces@seds.org
[mailto:astro-photo-bounces@seds.org]On Behalf Of I.J Jordan
Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2005 12:22 AM
To: Astro-Photo@seds.org
Subject: [APML] Filter Size query


Hi Everyone

I have managed to get my hands on a mint condition Olympus OM1+300mm 
f4.8 Zuiko lens;which I intend to use "piggy back".
I have not however got a manual for either and am wondering if anyone 
knows off hand the filter size of the above mentioned lens.

Also althouth the Zuiko range of lenses were praised highly amongst 
terrestrial photographers,I do not see them mentioned a lot in this 
group... anyone care to comment as to the 300mm suitability or not for 
astrophotography as I know I am talking quite old lens technology here?

Thanking you in advance

Ian & Linda Jordan
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