olympus 70-300

[NY_Trekker]

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.

[Greg McCary]

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.

[Jaedon]

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.

[Photo-John]

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.

[Photo-John]

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.

[Photo-John]

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.

[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.

[Photo-John]

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.

[metallicblack]

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?

[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.

[Atomic2]

I have not had this problem with focusing. Are you sure you're in manual focus mode?

[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.

[Atomic2]

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.

[Robusto]

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

[T-M]

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

[Atomic2]

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.

[bikefreax]

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

[Greg McCary]

Thanks for posting. That is a great picture and I have to agree the 70-300mm is a nice lens.

[erikzen]

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.



I took this from about 4 feet away



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

[blackxfire]

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

[Asmarlak]

I thought adding my images to this thread for a reference to the Olympus 70-300mm.

[440GTX]

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.

[Greg McCary]

Wow. I love the second one. Asmarlak

[eharrim]

Haven't been here in a while. I put a review up when I first purchased the 70 300 sometime back and since then I have learned a lot on how to use it. My progression with it and using the 510 have been a real learning experience and I still say there is no lens out there for this price that even comes close to what it can do from macro to BIFs. Here's a few shots taken with it.
Eric

[Liz]

Great shots! I've seen what this lens can do. I'm back and forth trying to decide whether it's worth it to cash in my 40-150 (not worth much in cash, but nice lens). It would cost me about $180-$200 more to purchase the 70-300.

Seeing your images (the 2 birds look 3-D), I'm tempted even more.

Liz