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[OM] Lens Test: Olympus XA 35mm f/2.8 F.Zuiko

Subject: [OM] Lens Test: Olympus XA 35mm f/2.8 F.Zuiko
From: PCACala@xxxxxxx
Date: Fri, 9 Apr 1999 10:03:30 EDT
Conventional wisdom has it that the 35mm f/2.8 F.Zuiko in the Olympus XA is a 
pretty fine performer.  But recent List discussion had some critical comments 
on the vignetting problem.  Here is a test of the XA using the same criteria 
as the OM System Zuikos.  I might mention that the slides had to be projected 
about 20% larger due to what I consider a pretty gross error in centering and 
image area for the XA viewfinder.  Whereas I thought I had the subject 
centered and full frame, it came out right-centered and perhaps only 800f 
full framing.

Olympus XA: 35mm f/2.8 F.Zuiko (single-coated)
Vignetting = C-@f/2.8, B-@f/5.6, C+@f/11, C@f/22
Distortion = moderate pincushion
Aperture  Center    Corner
f/2.8     B-        C
f/4       B+        B-
f/5.6     B         B
f/8       A-        B+
f/11      B+        B
f/16      B+        B
f/22      B         B
Notes: Serious vignetting problems at all but f/5.6 (where it is still quite 
noticeable), moderately high contrast at f/8 (the optimum aperture).

Vignetting is slightly worse than in the 24mm f/2 Zuiko at f/2 (the most 
vignetting prone OM System Zuiko that I've tested), but, unlike the OM System 
Zuikos, the XA lens doesn't improve much with stopping down.  After an 
improvement at f/5.6, it actually gets worse again at small apertures.

While this comment isn't directly related to the lens, I found focusing to be 
hard in dim light situations, like resturants.  Despite the original XA 
marketing literature claims, this isn't the kind of camera you can pass to a 
waiter and expect them to know what to do!

Gary Reese
Las Vegas, NV

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