Linda, I bought the ZE-X about 1982 and with it got three Osawa zooms, the
35-105/f3.5-4.5, the 60-300/f5.6, and a secondhand 80-205/f4.5. Right from
the start I found the 35-105 seemed soft in focus and after a short time it
was relegated to the cupboard. But about eighteen months ago (before being
afflicted with this wretched OM virus) I shot a roll at some Army bandsmen
at Georges Heights which is a bluff overlooking Sydney Harbour. Some of
those were nicely sharp so maybe I was using it before at close to wide open
and not optimum aperture. The longest focus, 60-300, has given satisfactory
results but the 80-205 (which was reasonably OK) now has developed fungus.
There is simply no comparison between the Osawa zooms and the two tack sharp
Mamiya Sekor primes I have, a 50/f1.4 and a 28/f2.8 I would still think that
if you wanted to get non-Zuiko lenses you'd be better off with say, Tamron
or even Vivitar. But really, an OM body deserves Zuiko's, after all that's
what they're made for!
In a later post Jim Couch tells about Osawa lenses for OM's so apparently
they do exist but he also agrees that they are less than magnificent.
BTW, it's OK to say 'g'day', keep it up and we'll make you an honorary
Aussie.
Regards,
John.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Linda Wunderlich
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2003 10:57 AM
To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [OM] Lens mount question -- help please!
G'day John, (heh! it's fun to type that greeting, makes me smile)
Sounds like the mystery is solved -- I'm considering the 35-105mm a Mamiya
ZE lens.
Tell me, how poor was your Osawa's sharpness? Is this something someone
with average eyes who has used a Vivitar zoom lens for years would notice?
If so, then I certainly wouldn't want their lenses. But if it's just that
they're not as good as the best, well, that's just the reality of my budget
I'm afraid.
In browsing the web and newsgroups for Osawa info, I found generally
favorable comments on their sharpness, except for comments from Mamiya
owners who felt they weren't as sharp as Mamiya lenses. Since I haven't
used a Mamiya lens, I don't know how to interpret that.
Of course, it may be moot if in fact Osawa never made lenses in an OM mount.
Linda
> [Original Message]
> From: John Wheeler <wheelej@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: 1/22/03 6:15:00 PM
> Subject: RE: [OM] Lens mount question -- help please!
>
> G'day Linda,
>
> I have a Mamiya ZE-X and the first zoom I bought was the Osawa 35-105. It
> will of course also fit the ZE model Mamiya and I suspect that the lens he
> is offering is just that one. I haven't yet seen an Osawa with an OM mount
> but I could be quite wrong.
>
> Incidently, I was never very impressed with their zooms, always seemed to
> lack sharpness. I would have much preferred the Mamiya-Sekor's.
>
> John.
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