In summary
Full review
One complaint levied at the Four Thirds system was the dearth of interchangeable lenses for system cameras. Olympus is steadily rectifying that situation and had nine lenses and a teleconverter on the market when this review was written. And eight more are promised in 2005! Sigma released three Four Thirds lenses last year and has others in the pipeline and, with two camera bodies on the market (and maybe more to come). Other manufacturers may well follow.
Here’s an overview of the full suite of Olympus E-Series lenses, using images captured locally. For zoom lenses we have provided shots taken at each end of the zoom range to show the angles of view covered.
Zuiko Digital 14-45mm f3.5-5.6
The standard lens supplied with the E-300 camera is equivalent 28-90mm in 35mm format.
Lens construction: 12 elements in 10 groups, including 2 aspherical lens elements
Angle of View: 75-27 degrees
Focusing Range: 38cm to infinity
Minimum Field Size: 107 x 80mm
Number of Blades: 7
Minimum Aperture: f22
Filter Size: 58mm
Dimensions (diameter x length): 71.0 x 86.5mm
Weight: 285g
RRP: $449
[Illustrations: E-300 14-45mm 14mm setting.jpg and E-300 14-45mm lens 45mm setting.jpg]
Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f2.8-3.5
An alternative standard lens that is faster and covers a zoom range equivalent to 28 to 108mm on a 35mm film camera.
Lens construction: 15 elements in 11 groups, including 3 aspherical lens elements
Angle of View: 75-23 degrees
Focusing Range: 22cm to infinity
Minimum Field Size: 66.5 x 50mm
Number of Blades: 7
Minimum Aperture: f22
Filter Size: 67mm
Dimensions (diameter x length): 73.5 x 88.5mm
Weight: 435g
RRP: $899
[Illustrations: E-300 14-54mm 14mm setting.jpg and E-300 14-45mm lens 54mm setting.jpg]
Zuiko Digital 40-150mm f3.5-4.5
A medium telephoto zoom with a focal length range equivalent to 80 – 300mm on a 35mm camera.
Lens construction: 13 elements in 10 groups
Angle of View: 30-8.2 degrees
Focusing Range: 1.5 m to infinity
Minimum Field Size: 140 x 105mm
Number of Blades: 7
Minimum Aperture: f 22
Filter Size: 58mm
Dimensions (diameter x length): 77 x 107mm
Weight: 425g
RRP: $499
[Illustrations: E-300 40-150mm lens 40mm setting.jpg and E-300 40-150mm lens 150mm setting.jpg]
Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5
A high-power telephoto zoom lens with a zoom range equivalent to 100 to 400mm on a 35mm film camera.
Lens construction: 16 elements in 15 groups, including 3 ED lens elements
Angle of View: 24-6 degrees
Focusing Range: 1.2m to infinity
Minimum Field Size: 82.4 x 61.9mm
Number of Blades: 9
Minimum Aperture: f22
Filter Size: 67mm
Dimensions (diameter x length): 87 x 157mm
Weight: 1070g (with tripod adapter)
RRP: $1499
[Illustrations: E-300 50-200mm lens 50mm setting.jpg and E-300 50-200mm lens 200mm setting.jpg]
Zuiko Digital 11-22mm f2.8-3.5
An ultra wide-angle zoom lens equivalent to a 22-44mm lens on a 35mm film camera.
Lens construction: 12 elements in 10 groups, including 2 aspherical lens elements
Angle of View: 89-53 degrees
Focusing Range: 28cm to infinity
Minimum Field Size: 133.1 x 100mm
Number of Blades: 7
Minimum Aperture: f22
Filter Size: 72mm
Dimensions (diameter x length): 75 x 92.5mm
Weight: 485g
RRP: $1499
[Illustrations: E-300 11-22mm lens 11mm setting.jpg and E-300 11-22mm lens 22mm setting.jpg]
Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm f4.0
An extreme wide-angle lens with a zoom range equivalent to 14mm-28mm on a 35mm film camera.
Lens construction: 18 elements in 12 groups, including ED Glass Aspherical Lens, ED Lens and Super ED Lenses
Angle of View: 114 to 75 degrees
Focusing Range: 25cm to infinity
Minimum Field Size: 122 x 162mm
Number of Blades: 7
Minimum Aperture: f22
Filter Size: n.a.
Dimensions (diameter x length): 86.5 x 119.5mm
Weight: 780g
RRP: $2999
[Illustrations: E-300 7-14mm lens 7mm setting.jpg and E-300 7-14mm lens 14mm setting.jpg]
Zuiko Digital ED 50mm f2.0 Macro
A fast telephoto macro lens with a focal length equivalent to 100mm on a 35mm film camera.
Lens construction: 11 elements in 10 groups, including 1 ED lens element
Angle of View: 24 degrees
Closest Focusing Distance: 24cm
Minimum Field Size: 33.3 x 25mm
Number of Blades: 7
Minimum Aperture: f22
Filter Size: 52mm
Dimensions (diameter x length): 71 x 61.5mm
Weight: 300g
RRP: $899
[Illustrations: E-300 50mm macro lens.jpg and E-300 macro lens 3.jpg]
Caption: Sample shots showing the coverage of the 50mm lens for normal shooting and its close-up capabilities.
Zuiko Digital ED 150mm f2.0
A fast telephoto lens with a focal length equivalent to 300mm on a 35mm film camera.
Lens construction: 11 elements in 9 groups, including ED/Super ED lens elements
Angle of View: 8.2 degrees
Closest Focusing Distance: 1.4m
Minimum Field Size: 102 x 136mm
Number of Blades: 9
Minimum Aperture: f22
Filter Size: 82mm
Dimensions (diameter x length): 100 x 150mm
Weight: 1610 g (with tripod adapter)
RRP: $4299
[Illustration: E-300 40-150mm @150mm.jpg]
Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f2.8
A fast, ultra-high power telephoto lens with a focal length equivalent to 600mm on a 35mm film camera.
Lens construction: 13 elements in 11 groups, including 3 ED lens elements and 1 filter holder
Angle of View: 4.2 degrees
Closest Focusing Distance: 2.4m
Minimum Field Size: 115.3 x 86.7mm
Number of Blades: 9
Minimum Aperture: f22
Filter Size: Exclusive drop-in filter (diameter 43mm)
Dimensions (diameter x length): 127 x 285mm
Weight: 3290g (with tripod adapter)
RRP: $12,999
{Illustration: E-300 300mm lens.jpg]
A 1.4x teleconverter lens (TC15) is also available for $799.
Accessory Flash Units
Three flash units are available for E-System cameras. The most powerful is the FL-50, which has a GN (ISO 100) of 28 at a12mm focal length and GN of 50 at 42mm (equivalent to 85mm in 35mm format). The FL-36 flash, which has been designed specifically for digital cameras and boasts an even light distribution across the full range of the lens. It has a GN of 20 at 12mm and 36 at 42mm and can be used in conjunction with the E-300’s built-in flash to provide a range of bounce effects. Both these flashes offer five operating modes: TTL Auto, Auto, Manual, FP-TTL Auto (which supports flash sync to 1/4000 sec) and FP-Manual.
The FL-20 flash is a compact unit with a GN of 20, which reduces to 14 when the wide panel (included) disperser is attached. Three operating modes are supported: TTL Auto, Auto and Manual, and approximately 250 flashes can be fired with an AA alkaline battery.
Specifications
Retailers
CamBuy
www.cambuy.com.au
Digital cameras, lenses and accessories with 100% genuine Australian manufacturer’s warranties.
Ph: (02) 9029 2219
Camera House
www.camerahouse.com.au
Ph: 133 686
The largest speciality photographic retail chain in Australia.
Camera Pro
www.camerapro.net.au
CameraPro Pty Ltd
Suite 607, 180 Queen St, Brisbane 4000
Tel: 07 3333 2900
Australian owned and run company based in Brisbane.
Camerasdirect
www.camerasdirect.com.au
Retailer of digital camera equipment and more.
Secure online shopping and delivery across Australia.
Ph: 1300 727 056
Camerastore.com.au
Camerastore.com.au
Ph: 1800 155 067
Camera-Warehouse
www.camera-warehouse.com.au
Comprehensive range of digital cameras and accessories online (www.camera-warehouse.com.au) and an online print service (www.royalexpress.com.au).
Digital Camera Warehouse
www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au
174 Canterbury Road 367 High Street
Canterbury Northcote
NSW 2193 VIC 3070
Ph: 1300 365 220
Electronics Warehouse
www.electronicswarehouse.com.au
1300 801 885
Australian retailer of Vapex rechargeable batteries offering factory direct prices and fast, free shipping Australia wide.
Photographic Equipment & Supplies – Retail & Repairs. Click here for list of stores.
Ted’s Cameras
1800 186 895
Big range of cameras and photographic products with stores in most states and online.