In my latest OM System 50-200mm F2.8 overview, I gave the professional telephoto zoom a best-in-class 5 star score. I beloved my week with the lens, and I hope that at some point I will purchase my very own. So what’s so particular about it?
For one, it has unbelievable options – it is OM System’s second professional ‘white’ lens, with an equal 100-400mm focal size and a most f/2.8 aperture throughout that versatile vary – which is a world-first.
It will possibly additionally pair with teleconverters: add a 1.4x teleconverter and also you get a lens with a most 560mm attain and f/4 most aperture, or with a 2x teleconverter for a 800mm f/5.6. Wow.
This spectacular attain and vivid aperture is complemented by very good optical high quality, first rate macro expertise, and is delivered in a (comparatively) light-weight and rugged IP53-rated design.
It is clearly a wonderful lens in its personal proper, however the image is method greater than that – it reveals simply how the Micro 4 Thirds system is a best choice for wildlife and sports activities over different well-liked codecs, akin to full-frame.
Moreover, the OM System 50-200mm doubles down on a pictures frontier that smartphones have not correctly touched but – it is a lens that you will really use. Let me clarify.
A full-frame beating combo
I examined the 50-200mm F2.8 – full identify OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Professional – with the OM System OM-1 II – and the very first thing to notice is the superb steadiness between the rugged IP53-rated climate resistance pairing.
The lens weighs 38oz / 1,075g – which is way lighter and smaller than full-frame options – and with the OM1-II the mix weighs 59oz / 1,674g. I simply carried the combo over lengthy wildlife pictures outings.
For context, Nikon’s Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S nearly weighs that a lot by itself, and a 400mm f/2.8 full-frame prime is an entire different stage at round 3x the burden.
OM System has nice tuned its topic detection autofocus for wonderful wildlife monitoring expertise, particularly for chook pictures. I would say autofocus efficiency for such functions equals that of the most effective full-frame rivals.
The lens may assist the digicam’s most 50fps burst taking pictures speeds with steady autofocus – useful for capturing the second throughout quick motion.
Macro pictures is one other large win right here. With an in depth focusing distance of as little as 0.78m at any focal size – you get a 0.5x (full-frame equal) most replica ratio. In different phrases, half life dimension.
The lens’s optical stabilization combines with the digicam’s in-body picture stabilization for unbelievable efficiency – quoted as much as 7.5EV and the true deal – serving to you get sharp macro and telephoto wildlife pictures.
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Element is pin sharp even at f/2.8, even when I discovered bokeh somewhat fussy in some eventualities, akin to backlit macro photographs of a spider and it is internet. For the most effective half, although, bokeh is clean.
Above all, although, it is that most aperture and focal size combo that shines. True, being Micro 4 Thirds it has an equal depth of discipline to an f/5.6 full-frame lens, just like the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S.
Nevertheless, when taking pictures at any of these focal lengths, depth of discipline is lots shallow sufficient for pro-looking blurry backgrounds. It is the extra gentle consumption that really wins: the f/2.8 aperture unleashes quick shutter speeds to freeze motion, be it daylight and even as the sunshine fades, which is a vital element for lots of wildlife pictures and sports activities.
Micro 4 Thirds has picture high quality drawbacks in comparison with full-frame. Nevertheless, OM System’s 50-200mm F2.8 lens wipes these away, and it is a a lot lighter package deal.
For me, it is high-performing telephoto lenses for the likes of wildlife and sports activities pictures which are one of many final remaining frontiers for ‘correct’ digicam gear over the most effective digicam telephones, and the OM System 50-200mm F2.8 is likely one of the greatest examples accessible.
I am more likely to move out with a telephoto lens like this over, say, a large angle prime, after I’ve acquired such smartphone digicam.
It is such a disgrace then, that the OM System 50-200mm F2.8 prices $3,699 / £2,999. That is a lot pricier than the OM System 40-150mm F2.8, pricier than the Nikon 100-400mm, even when it is less expensive than a 400mm f/2.8 professional prime.
Nonetheless, it is a lens I do know I would use usually, for genres of pictures that convey me a lot happiness. I higher get saving.
