Re: [APML] Olympus teleconventer

["John C. Mirtle" <spampit@shaw.ca>]

Hi Bill,
    I have the 135 f3.5 and it is a nice performer. The f2.8 may well be a
better lens, but I can't comment from personal experience. I have taken many
good photos with the 180mm f2.8, but an H-alpha filter was required. I
remember Chuck mentioning chromatic problems with his 350mm f2.8 in his
H-Alpha S&T article all those years ago. So, it would appear that
Olympus/Zuiko may be good in the short to medium focal lengths, their longer
FL lenses are not so hot. Their designs are at least 10 years out of date,
and are easily outperformed by Nikon, Canon, or a Schmidt.
    Please post your comments on the performance of the 135mm f2.8 when you
get your film back. Hopefully it's not too  "sloppy". :-)

John Mirtle
Calgary, Ab. Canada

----- Original Message -----
From: "William R. Mattil" <wrmattil@ix.netcom.com>
To: "Discussion of Film Astrophotography" <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2003 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: [APML] Olympus teleconventer


"John C. Mirtle" wrote:
>In other words, slow and sloppy. Good for
> kisses, not good for AP!

I like this John !

> On the other hand, Olympus have not released a new
> telephoto for a long time, I am not even sure that they make any ED or
> Flourite lenses for the OM series. Many of the larger lenses were
terrible,
> like my 180mm f2.8. Even stopped down to f4 AND using a minus-violet they
> were not good. A pinhole camera might work better. The 135mm works great
as
> it is, I would leave it alone and use it the way it is.

I thought that the 135mm f/2.8 was the Zuiko lens of choice in that
size. Not the f/3.5 ? I shot a roll of E200 with this lens last time
out. Film should be back by Tuesday ......

> It might be worth
> trying if you can get a good price on the converter, or are able to try it
> out first. I like the OM1 body for shooting prime focus, but I never was
> thrilled with most of their lenses for piggy-back work. (which is why I
have
> Schmidt cameras)

I would not disagree with the worth of the Schmidt Cameras <g> but I
think that the 100mm and 135mm f/2.8 lenses are fine. I seem to recall
someone here having some good results with a 180mm Zuiko but cannot
remember who. But frankly, the Nikkor 180ED is likely better anyway so
the point is moot.

Best Regards

Bill

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