Lars and Jim;
I own all 4 of the lenses in question, and have tested them in various ways.
Given a choice, I'd take the zoom. No question about it.
* Cost? Closer than you think: Zoom = $1150; total 35/2+50/1.8+85/2 =
$900 (Current B&H prices.)
* Size/weight favor the 3 primes.
* Speed? Dead heat since you've gotta stop the others down at **least** one
stop, usualy more to equal the zoom performance.
* Convenience: zoom. No lens swapping.
* Coverage, compositional freedom: Zoom hands down. Primes only cover 3
focal lengths. Zoom covers 45! (in 1mm increments).
* Performance? Zoom, hands down. See Gary Reese's tests for evidence. My
tests (mainly star field tests for coma and chromatic abberations show coma
in all three primes at wide open, gone by 1 or 2 stops down. Chromatic
abberation in the 85/2 (my test sample was an SC.)) **Absolutely no coma or
chromatic abberation** in the zoom at any tested aperture (f/2.8, 4, 5.6)
You can use the zoom at any aperture with confidence. I'd stop down to at
least f/4 or 5.6 on the 35/2,
The 35-80/2.8 is simply one of the finest lenses in the world today. Couple
it with a 4T and an F280 and you've got the ultimate walk-about / portrait /
fill-flash setup, at least in Olympus gear. I've only recently started
using this combination and I must say the results are superb and easy to
achieve, especially for a flash-phobic guy like me.
All the above based on MHO coupled with highly scientific test procedures
:>)
George
>Hi Jim,
>
>Without having ever seen or tried the 35-80 mm/2.8, I'd say that the 3
>fixed lenses will be better, especially if you opt for the 35 mm/2.0, which
>is a very fine lens, as is the 85 mm. I am not so sure about the quality of
>the 35/2.8.
>I use zoom lenses myself, but prefer fixed lenses. I have problems focusing
>the zooms in low light. A F2.8 speed lens is better there of course than
>the slower ones.
>
>Lars Bundesen
>
>----------
>> Fra: JIM-NSS TEO <JIM_TEO@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Til: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Emne: Re: [OM] FIXED OR ZOOM
>> Dato: 8. september 1999 03:47
>>
>> The Zuiko 35-80/2.8 is a reputed zoom lens but in term of quality,
>> will it be comparable or better to 3 seperate lenses of 35/2.8,
>50/1.8
>> and 85/2?
>>
>> Thinking that the combinatons of the 3 fixed lenses (used) is far
>more
>> cheaper than a brand new 35-80/2.8 which is selling at above US$1K.
>>
>>
>> Jim Teo____________________________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>
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