In my latest OM System 50-200mm F2.8 review, I gave the professional telephoto zoom a best-in-class 5 star ranking. I cherished my week with the lens, and I hope that sooner or later 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 can also pair with teleconverters: add a 1.4x teleconverter and you get a lens with a maximum 560mm reach and f/4 maximum aperture, or with a 2x teleconverter for a 800mm f/5.6. Wow.
This impressive reach and bright aperture is complemented by superb optical quality, decent macro skills, and is delivered in a (relatively) lightweight and rugged IP53-rated design.
It’s clearly an excellent lens in its own right, but the picture is way bigger than that – it shows just how the Micro Four Thirds system is a top choice for wildlife and sports over other popular formats, such as full-frame.
Furthermore, the OM System 50-200mm doubles down on a photography frontier that smartphones haven’t properly touched yet – it’s a lens that you’ll actually use. Let me explain.
A full-frame beating combo
I tested the 50-200mm F2.8 – full name OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS Pro – with the OM System OM-1 II – and the very first thing to notice is the wonderful steadiness between the rugged IP53-rated climate resistance pairing.
The lens weighs 38oz / 1,075g – which is far 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 virtually weighs that a lot by itself, and a 400mm f/2.8 full-frame prime is an entire different stage at round 3x the load.
OM System has high-quality tuned its topic detection autofocus for glorious wildlife monitoring abilities, particularly for chicken pictures. I might say autofocus efficiency for such functions equals that of one of the best full-frame rivals.
The lens also can assist the digital camera’s most 50fps burst taking pictures speeds with steady autofocus – helpful for capturing the second throughout quick motion.
Macro pictures is one other huge 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 copy ratio. In different phrases, half life measurement.
The lens’s optical stabilization combines with the digital camera’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 photographs.
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Element is pin sharp even at f/2.8, even when I discovered bokeh slightly fussy in some eventualities, akin to backlit macro photographs of a spider and it is internet. For one of the best half, although, bokeh is easy.
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 area to an f/5.6 full-frame lens, just like the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S.
Nonetheless, when taking pictures at any of these focal lengths, depth of area is a lot 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 an important part for lots of wildlife pictures and sports activities.
Micro 4 Thirds has picture high quality drawbacks in comparison with full-frame. Nonetheless, OM System’s 50-200mm F2.8 lens wipes these away, and it is a a lot lighter bundle.
For me, it is high-performing telephoto lenses for the likes of wildlife and sports activities pictures which might be one of many final remaining frontiers for ‘correct’ digital camera gear over one of the best digital camera telephones, and the OM System 50-200mm F2.8 is among the finest examples obtainable.
I am more likely to move out with a telephoto lens like this over, say, a large angle prime, after I’ve bought such a superb smartphone digital camera.
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 might use repeatedly, for genres of pictures that convey me a lot happiness. I higher get saving.
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