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[OM] Lens Test: 250mm f/2 Zuiko (hold on to your hats!)

Subject: [OM] Lens Test: 250mm f/2 Zuiko (hold on to your hats!)
From: PCACala@xxxxxxx
Date: Fri, 28 May 1999 02:04:32 EDT
Folks:

This lens is so exceptional I had to post the results right to the list.  I 
couldn't believe my eyes!  Let the data and summaries speak for themselves.  
And don't miss what happens when you shoot with an OM-1n instead of a OM-4.
*********
250mm f/2 Zuiko (multi-coated)
Vignetting = C @ f/2, A- @ f/2.8, A @ f/5.6
Distortion = None

OM-4 w/ mirror and aperture prefire via the self-timer
Aperture  Center    Corner
f/2          A         B+
f/2.8       A+        A-
f/4          A+        A
f/5.6        A+        A+
f/8          A         A-
f/11         A-        A-
f/16         A-        A-
f/22         A-        B+
Note: Extremely high contrast and resolving power at all apertures with only 
a minor loss in the corners at f/2 and f/22.  Strong vignetting at f/2, 
requiring exposure compensation for critical work.  Clearly one of the best 
Zuikos made.  Brillant images, with f/5.6 showing a corner to corner clarity 
unsurpassed by any Zuiko tested to date.

OM-1n with mirror lock-up and self-timer
Aperture  Center    Corner
f/2          D         C
f/2.8        D+        C
f/4          C         C+
f/5.6        B-        B-
f/8          B-        B-
f/11         B+        B
f/16         C+        C
f/22        B-        B
Note: Combination of vibrations from the auto diaphram mechanism and the 
horizontally traveling shutter of the OM-1n results in significant image 
deterioration, despite secure tripod mounting the the lens bracket.  Note 
that differences between this test and the one above with the OM-4 are 
significant at the 1/3 grade level based on side by side comparisons.  Test 
conditions were identical and used the same lens.

250mm f/2 Zuiko with Olympus 1.4x teleconverter (both multi-coated)
OM-4 w/ mirror and aperture prefire via the self-timer
Vignetting = C+ @ f/2, A- @ f/2.8
Distortion = moderate pincushion
Aperture     Center    Corner
f/2 (2.8)      A-        B
f/2.8 (4)      A         B+
f/4 (5.6)      A         A-
f/5.6 (8)      A         A- 
f/8 (11)       B+        B
f/11 (16)      B+        B
f/16 (22)      B+        B-
f/22 (32)      B-        C+
Note: Moderate to moderately high contrast.  Exceptional wide open 
performance.

250mm f/2 Zuiko with Olympus 2X teleconverter (both multi-coated)
OM-4 w/ mirror and aperture prefire via the self-timer
Vignetting = D? (distinct central hot spot) @ f/2, B @ f/2.8, A- @ f/4
Distortion = slight pincushion
Aperture      Center    Corner
f/2 (4)         D         C
f/2.8 (5.6)   B         C
f/4 (8)         B         C
f/5.6 (11)    B-        C
f/8 (16)       C         C+
f/11(22)      B-        C+
f/16 (32)     C         C
f/22 (44)     C         C
Note: Not an Olympus recommended combination. Unusable at f/2 (effective f/4) 
due to low contrast, poor resolution and hot spotting; moderately low 
contrast at f/2.8 to f/4 (effective f/5.6 to f/8), moderate at f/5.6 
(effective f/11) and beyond.
*******

Gary Reese
Las Vegas, NV

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