>------------------------------
>
>Date: Fri, 14 Apr 2000 00:40:14 -0700 (PDT)
>From: Acer V <siddim01@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: [OM] dissenting fellar
>
>==start quote==
>All of the smaller Zuiko lenses (the 200 mm f/4 on down) share the same
>chintzy plastic construction. If you shake one, it rattles like a child's
>toy. The aperture ring has a loose, imprecise feel to it; I'm always
>afraid I'm going to break one off. Ditto for the spindly little
>depth-of-field preview button. At their price levels, you cannot expect
>Zeiss or Leitz quality from the Zuiko lenses, but they could have been
>designed with more ruggedness in mind.
>==end quote==
>
>Anyone else agree or disagree? I've yet to /see/ a Zeiss/Leitz lens, let
>alone use one. Since I don't have the comparison, the Zuikos I have seem
>sturdy enough.
>
>Quoted from
>
>http://members.aol.com/eting/om.html
>
>/Acer V
I think comparing expensive, hard to find Zeiss SLR lenses to inexpensive,
relatively easy to find Zuiko lenses is a bit like comparing Toyotas and
Rolls Royce automobiles. It really misses the point to complain that Zuikos
don't offer the hand finishing exterior luxuries of relatively rare, very
expensive Zeiss. A more apt comparison might be between Zuiko (like Toyota)
and Nikon (like Ford). At nearly any decent camera store in the US, one has
a pretty good likelihood of finding a selection of used Zuikos and a much
bigger selection of used Nikkors. Whether they're finished to the exact
same exterior levels as the quite likely, unavailable Zeiss and Leica
lenses is largely irrelevant compared to the incredible "bang-for-the-buck"
that one gets with Zuiko.
Here's an interesting comparison from http://www.keh.com
Buying just 4 common lenses in exc. or better condition:
Zeiss 35mm/f4, 50mm/f2, 85mm/f2, 135mm/f4, will set one back over $1500US
Buying the same focal lengths, but faster Zuikos:
Zuiko 35mm/f2.8, 50mm/f1.4, 85mm/f2, & 135/f2.8 will run only ~$650US
With the ~$900 or so that one saves going Zuiko you could buy another body
and make use of the more extensive selection of available lenses to add a
super wide, a macro, a greater telephoto and a zoom and still have funds
left over to cover any unlikely breakage.
Speaking of breakage, I recently watched in horror as one of my OM's
tumbled almost in slow motion off the counter, into the cabinet and onto
the concrete floor. I picked it up, noted a very, very minor nick in the
lens filter ring, and proceeded to keep right on taking pictures. Had that
been a Zeiss or Leica, I'd have probably been too busy changing my drawers
to have much fun taking more pictures.
Mike
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