Chuck Norcutt wrote:
> I think the distinction we're talking about is not multicoating but the
> optical performance of the lens which changed through the years as
> Olympus made various engineering modifications.
>
> Multicoating is just one of the modifications and doesn't mean the same
> thing for all lenses or all versions of the same lens. Two different
> versions of the same lens known to be multicoated may have different
> types of multicoating and may have different numbers of their elements
> multicoated. Some elements may be single coated even on a lens marked
> as multicoated.
>
> Most of this stems from Gary Reese's extensive testing of Zuiko (and
> other) lenses. Gary often tested multiple samples and versions of the
> same lens. When interpreting these test results you also need to be
> aware of the body used and any other supplemental support on long teles.
> The Zuiko 200/4 is especially prone to vibration but is an excellent
> performer if suitably restrained. Vibration is a signficant factor in
> all of these tests and best results are typically reported using a body
> that allows mirror and aperture pre-fire with the self-timer. Gary
> clearly proved that just locking up the mirror ala OM-1 isn't good
> enough for critical testing of lens quality.
>
> <http://members.aol.com/olympusom/lenstests/default.htm>
>
> Chuck Norcutt
Interesting comments, Chuck...
After I spent a good bit of time looking over Gary's site, trying to absorb as
much of it as possible, all i was left with was shaking my head, and realizing
that "lens tests" are only as good as the paper they're written on, and at
that time of day! :-(
I'd find a lens that performed exceptionally well on, say, an OM-2. Then I
checked the performance on an OM-1. Deteriorated in an instant! Awful
performance, just by changing lens serial numbers, or camera bodies, or
locking up a mirror ~ or NOT locking up the mirror!
In other words, the results of any given test are good under those specific
conditions ONLY. Put the same lens on YOUR camera, and all bets are off.
Might be just fine for you, or bear no resemblance to anyone else's testing
results.
Finding the "truth" about lens performance is a study in frustration... <wry
smile>
keith whaley
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