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Thread: olympus 70-300

  1. #1
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    olympus 70-300

    Does anyone have this lens and what are your thoughts on it.

    I know it a low end lens but was wondering if its worth the money.
    Jeff

    Olympus E510
    Zuiko digital 14-42mm f3.5-5.6
    Zuiko digital ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6
    Zuiko ED 70-300 f4-5.6
    Olympus FL-50

  2. #2
    Senior Shooter Greg McCary's Avatar
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    I have not used the lens but from I have read and looked at it is much better than the kit lens. I think it woud be a bargain.
    I am like Barney Fife, I have a gun but Andy makes me keep the bullet in my pocket..

    Sony a99/a7R

  3. #3
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    a 300mm lens that weights that little is a definite bonus. The kit lenses are decent lenses so if this is a step up it should be worth the money paid for it.
    Shooting with an Olympus Evolt E-510 and loving it


    Equipment list:
    Olympus Evolt E-3, E-620, E-500
    Olympus Zuiko 40 - 150 F4.0 - 5.6
    Olympus Zuiko 14 - 45 F 2.8 - 3.6
    Sigma 50 - 500 F 4.0 - 6.3
    Sigma 70 - 200 F2.8
    Olympus FL-38 Flash x2
    Vivitar 285 HV
    Better Beamer Flash Extender

    http://www.jdtimages.ca/

    A Photographer that is fluent in Sarcasm.

  4. #4
    Captain of the Ship Photo-John's Avatar
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    Zuiko 70-300 f/4-5.6 ED

    If you're talking about the Zuiko 70-300 f/4-5.6 ED, then I've used it a lot. Larry also used it and wrote a little about it in his Olympus E-3 Pro Review.

    I got the E-3 and lenses back from Larry and have been using them since just before the PMA tradeshow. I only really started to use the 70-300 for ski photos, after PMA. I am very impressed. First of all, it's more or less equivalent to a 140-600mm lens with the Four Thirds sensor. For me, that kicks ass. The lens isn't very big and I think sort of represents the real power and value of the Four Thirds System. It's about the size of a pro 28-70mm lens on other systems. But with the reach of a 600mm lens - and the benefit of in-camera image stabilization if you have an E-510 or E-3. And I think the image quality is excellent.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails olympus 70-300-img_0503.jpg  
    Photo-John

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  5. #5
    Captain of the Ship Photo-John's Avatar
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    Zuiko 70-300 f/4-5.6 ED Sample Photos

    I went the extra mile to reply in this thread. The result is that it's taken me a couple of days to post. But I have a bunch of samples. Note that these have all had some adjustment in either Lightroom, Photoshop CS3, or both. But like I said, I am very pleased and impressed with this lens.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails olympus 70-300-_2081664.jpg   olympus 70-300-_2121783.jpg   olympus 70-300-_2081665.jpg  
    Photo-John

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  6. #6
    Captain of the Ship Photo-John's Avatar
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    A Couple More

    I took the whole E-3 kit skiing this past weekend. I'm still working on learning the camera, as well as learning to take ski photos. But this photo of my brother was taken using the E-3's continuous AF and the 70-300. There has been a pretty significant crop and like the landscapes, some adjustment in Lightroom and Photoshop. But again, I am impressed with the sharpness and snapiness of photos taken with the 70-300.

    The photo of my buddy Soupy, was taken yesterday. It has had some post-processing, too. But the detail is excellent.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails olympus 70-300-_2101710.jpg   olympus 70-300-_2121765.jpg  
    Photo-John

    Your reviews are the foundation of this site - Write A Review!

  7. #7
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    Thanks John.... Very nice photos. I ended up purchasing this lens the other day and cant wait to get out to use it.
    Jeff

    Olympus E510
    Zuiko digital 14-42mm f3.5-5.6
    Zuiko digital ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6
    Zuiko ED 70-300 f4-5.6
    Olympus FL-50

  8. #8
    Captain of the Ship Photo-John's Avatar
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    Quote Originally Posted by NY_Trekker
    Thanks John.... Very nice photos. I ended up purchasing this lens the other day and cant wait to get out to use it.
    I think you're going to like it a lot. I sure do. I don't know if the AF is as good as the 12-60mm SWD lens. But it seems pretty quick and accurate. The image quality is wonderful. And the reach is something else. This lens makes me appreciate the Four Thirds System even more.

    Please post a review for the lens once you've had it a bit.

    By the way, I just uploaded larger versions of a couple of these to my gallery. They deserve to be seen a little larger so you can check out all the details.
    Photo-John

    Your reviews are the foundation of this site - Write A Review!

  9. #9
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    So what is your impression of the lens so far? Does it feel any better AFing in lower light compared to the kit 40-150mm?

  10. #10
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    This question amplifies/modifies this thread which is about the general suitability of the Olympus 70-300 telephoto lens: specifically manual focus.

    My camera is: Model no. E-500 Serial #: A78512215

    My lens is: E 70-300MM F4.0./5.6 Lens Serial #: 256063660

    First - the auto-focus for this setup works perfectly: the problem is with manual focus, or what Olympus (in its exculpatory emails) has charitably called "focus by wire".

    The manual focus does not work! Here is what happens.

    As I adjust the focus ring closer and closer (step by step) to the correct SLR focus - when I get to about one click away from correct focus - the stepper motor in the "focus by wire" mechanism jumps ahead. I estimate that it jumps ahead by about 3 clicks. When I try to back-up, I reverse to about one click short of perfect focus - and the "focus by wire" mechanism jumps backwards about 3 clicks.

    Bottom line - I can not get a good focus: the lens and the "focus by wire"system refuse to settle in on the correct focus.

  11. #11
    Member Atomic2's Avatar
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    I have not had this problem with focusing. Are you sure you're in manual focus mode?
    E-3, E-510
    12-60 2.8-4.0
    40-150 3.5-4.5
    Sigma 30 1.4
    Zenit 58 F2 [with M42 adapter]
    Metz 48

  12. #12
    Senior Shooter Greg McCary's Avatar
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    There is a firmware update for the 70-300 that helps with the AF. Soon as my battery charges I am going to install it.
    I am like Barney Fife, I have a gun but Andy makes me keep the bullet in my pocket..

    Sony a99/a7R

  13. #13
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    Quote Originally Posted by Greg McCary
    There is a firmware update for the 70-300 that helps with the AF. Soon as my battery charges I am going to install it.
    I just did it, nothing special.
    E-3, E-510
    12-60 2.8-4.0
    40-150 3.5-4.5
    Sigma 30 1.4
    Zenit 58 F2 [with M42 adapter]
    Metz 48

  14. #14
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    I bought this lense last year after reccomendations from guys on here and have used it a lot for sports soccer and have been very please with the results
    To me, The goal is to move people, to make people think, but never, never at the expense of the person you're photographing. To laugh with, yes - but never to laugh at. - Lord Snowdon

    Martyn
    Olympus E30 HLD 4, E520, E300 & HLD 3
    Olympus OM10 Zuiko OM 28mm 2.8 OM 50mm 1.8 & 70-200mm
    ZD 14-45mm 14-42mm 14-54mm 40-150mm 70-300mm 50-200mm 2.8 / 3.5
    ZD 35mm Macro EX - 25
    Sigma 50-500mm To be Obtained
    Olympus FL36R
    Metz Flash 28AF-30

    www.cannoncannonphotography.webs.com

  15. #15
    T-M
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    Did the firmware update and tested the C-AF on moving cars. The continuous AF is awesome now.

  16. #16
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    Quote Originally Posted by T-M
    Did the firmware update and tested the C-AF on moving cars. The continuous AF is awesome now.
    Hmm, I shall have to try, I do recall it being underwhelming before.
    E-3, E-510
    12-60 2.8-4.0
    40-150 3.5-4.5
    Sigma 30 1.4
    Zenit 58 F2 [with M42 adapter]
    Metz 48

  17. #17
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    This shot was taken with my E-510 and the 70-300mm. I am beginning to really like this lens


  18. #18
    Senior Shooter Greg McCary's Avatar
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    Thanks for posting. That is a great picture and I have to agree the 70-300mm is a nice lens.
    I am like Barney Fife, I have a gun but Andy makes me keep the bullet in my pocket..

    Sony a99/a7R

  19. #19
    Member erikzen's Avatar
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    I bought the 70-300 last year before going on vacation. I haven't regretted it for a second.

    I took this last week from about 100 yards away.

    Mayberry HR Original

    I took this from about 4 feet away

    P8303540

    I sometimes have trouble getting really clear shots but that's to be expected when you're zoomed all the way out.

  20. #20
    Junior Member blackxfire's Avatar
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    So far, I have to say it is a great lens!
    Stan
    Stan

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    Olympus E510
    14-42mm f3.5/5.6
    40-150mm f3.5-4.5

  21. #21
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    I thought adding my images to this thread for a reference to the Olympus 70-300mm.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails olympus 70-300-falcon2.jpg   olympus 70-300-falcon.jpg  

  22. #22
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    I have had mine for about a week now.
    I had some small " User " problems with it.
    They have been resolved.
    IMO Can't go wrong with that lense.

  23. #23
    Member erikzen's Avatar
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    Awesome photos Asmarlak. Reading back through this thread I see I say that images weren't always clear when zoomed all the way out. I meant to say when zoomed all the way in.

    I'm still very happy with this lens after a year and a half.

  24. #24
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    Here's a couple I got last weekend with this lens on my E-620, both @ f5.6, 1/2500. ISO 400, 240mm, great lens where there is plenty of light:
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails olympus 70-300-p5105906_3.jpg   olympus 70-300-p5105909_4.jpg  
    Georgeo

    E-620, Zuiko 12-60mm F2.8, Zuiko 70-300mm F4.0

  25. #25
    Senior Shooter Greg McCary's Avatar
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    Re: olympus 70-300

    Wow. I love the second one. Asmarlak
    I am like Barney Fife, I have a gun but Andy makes me keep the bullet in my pocket..

    Sony a99/a7R

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