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Olympus ED 35-100mm F2.0  PDF Print E-mail
Lenses Olympus
User rating
4.8
out of 5
Editor's rating
1.0
out of 5
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Reviewed by:
Editor
Monday, 04 February 2008
Average user rating: 4.8 
8 User reviews
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Lens Summary

Overview

The large-aperture telephoto zoom lens (fixed F stop type), which provides F2.0* in entire zoom area. It is equivalent to 70-200mm on a 35mm camera, and covers from medium-telephoto range of natural angles to telephoto area with a compressed perspective effect. Its fast shutter-speeds and beautifully soft out-of-focus image behind the main subject are an ideal for portrait, theatrical and sports shooting under the low-light. Luxurious optical glass elements, such as, four ED lenses and one super ED lens are used to give the highest image quality with optimal Resolution and Contrast.

*The world's first F2 zoom lens among interchangeable lenses for digital SLR cameras as of September 27th, 2005 (in-house research).

Lens Specifications

Generic Lens Specifications
Lens Type: Zoom
IS / VR / OS: None
Min Focal length (mm): 35
Max Focal Length (mm): 100
Number of Elements: 21
Element Groups: 18
Max Aperture: 2
Minimum Aperture: 22
Diaphragm Blades: 9
Closest Focus Distance (m): 1.4
Maximum Magnification: 0.09
Filter Diameter (mm): 77
Diameter at widest (mm): 97
Lens Length (mm): 214
Weight (g): 1650

Details


ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 35-100mm F2.0

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Editor review :  Olympus ED 35-100mm F2.0
Overall rating (weighted)
1.0
Sharpness
1.0
Build Quality
1.0
AF Speed
1.0
Value for Money
1.0
Editor review following shortly
Why should you care what I think?
My relationship with this item: Editor review
Conclusions at a glance
Would you recommend this Item: Undecided

User Lens Reviews

Average user rating from: 8 user(s)

Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.9
Build Quality
4.8
AF Speed
4.9
Value for Money
4.8
 

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Mortgage your house if you have to, but get this l, Friday, 14 May 2010


Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
I recently (and admittedly with trepidation, due to price) bought this lens for a trip which took me to India and The Philippines. I am an amateur/hobbyist who shoots with an E3 and I already had the 12-60 and 50-200 SWD lenses. But the reviews were so positive and I knew that the trip would offer up sublime photo opps and didn't want to feel I shortchanged myself. A quick check of my meta-data in lightroom showed I was shooting at over 35mm about 80% of the time anyway, so it seemed that this might be a good "all purpose" lens for me. And wow, was it ever. I needn't have take the other lenses!

Yes, its massive. Yes, its heavy (but I found hand-holding it to be quite manageable). But omg, the images!! The color!! This thing is magic. And while it may not be true for everyone, I found it to be the perfect "all around" lens. Short enough on the short end for group photos (with some backing up and squeezing of subjects) or shooting a flower here and there, and yet long enough to be a useful telephoto. And best of all for me, it was the right lens to keep an appropriate distance for candid street shots and the like. This is the lens that lets you lurk around the perimeter and still get intimate shots. And the f2.0 gives you tons of flexibility there...shallow DOF when you want it, but just as importantly a great low-light capability. I simply love it. It has added value to my shots, and even though I don't get a penny, I feel the investment has paid off. The beautiful prints hanging on my walls is all the ROI I need. That said, I am sure professionals (especially portrait photographers) would get their money's worth and then some.

If you want to get the most out of your 4/3 body, get this lens.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Turned into my all-around lens, Wednesday, 21 April 2010


Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I purchased this lens with a specific task in mind (low light event and concert photography). It didn't take long for it to turn into my all-around go-to lens for lots of tasks. I've put it to use for everything including landscape, portrait, still life, and action. The only thing that would make this lens better is macro capability. Otherwise this is a phenomenal lens that is tack sharp and focuses quickly in low light. You can't go wrong with this lens. While some shy away from it due to it's weight I find that I'm too busy shooting so I don't notice it's weight until there is some down time in the shooting. You will want something other than the standard neck strap if you are going to allow it to hang at all (Black Rapid and Cotton Carrier provide two very different but useful options). This is probably the best lens in Olympus' stellar lineup of super high grade lenses.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Excellent Glass!, Friday, 20 November 2009


Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I use this to photography weddings but have used it for hockey and nightime events.
This IS THE lens to get on the 4/3rds system. It is worth every penny. I usually have the lens almost wide open and with the E3 @ 1250 iso get very little noise if any.
Some may want to use a monopod, but I handhold this lens.
When buying a lens, ask if you what your return on investment will be. I knew I would make the money back I spent on this lens from its advantages. Now I rented the 90-250mm, but that is something I wouldn't buy because it would be a more specific use at a much higher price.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

Simply Wow, Saturday, 03 October 2009


Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
When I first got this lens, all I could say was "Wow". It was much bigger than any of my other lenses I own, weighing a hefty amount. I didn't know what to think. It was in testing it out that I got to see how excellent the optics are. Here's how I'll simply put it: If the Olympus 50mm f2 macro prime lens is considered a crown jewel in the Olympus optics lineup, then this lens is like having a prime for every mm in focal length is covers. I say this not necessarily for the macro function, but for the portraits. This is definitely The King of portrait lenses in Olympus's catalog.

The only cons are the price & the weight. If you are a portrait shooter and you can handle the weight, and your wallet can handle the hit it will receive, this is definitely THE lens to have. You will definitely not regret it!

samples of work taken with this lens can be viewed @ [...]
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Wonderful for indoor sports, Saturday, 31 January 2009


Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I use this lens with my E520 to take pictures of high school and junior high basketball and volleyball games. It's a Bit long for under-the-basket shots, but from the sideline, it works very well. I no longer have to use a flash, which gives me more natural lighting on my shots. It's taken a bit of time to get the colors the way I want them, but I'm very pleased with the lens itself.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

Worth every penny. But not for hobbyists, Monday, 03 March 2008


Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
I have been using a range of Olympus' "High Grade" lenses, including the 50mm Macro, the 14-54mm, 11-22mm, and the 12-60mm. Each of those lenses have been great. Some better than others in either sharpness or color reproduction. But I can't complain about any of them. I've always wondered how much better could Olympus' line of "Super High Grade" lenses possibly be. After a lot of research, some consideration for the focal range I need most, I finally took the dive and bought this lens.

I just can't believe the quality of the shots I'm getting with this lens. Colors are noticeably richer, and sharpness is incredible. I would describe the difference between this lens and the regular "high grade" lenses as being as profound a boost in quality as I experienced when I went from the standard kit lenses to my first "High Grade" lens. Probably even more so. it's like I am shooting with two different cameras. I'm just blown away by the quality of my shots with this lens. Also I love the bokeh I get with this lens (bokeh=out of focus Blur behind the subject you're focused on). Between the bokeh, 2.0 aperture and the focal range I'm finally able to get the types of shots that have been escaping me with my other lenses. Focal range is great; 35mm-100mm gives me a nice sweet spot where 35mm isn't too tight to be unusable in some indoor situations, and 100mm gets me close enough. For some types of indoor shooting I found my 50-200mm lense was too tight at the wide end, and while it was nice to get in tight at the long end I found I didn't need to be as close as 200mm got me on the long end. This lens solves problems such as that one. I also love that the aperture is fixed at 2.0. Now I can zoom in without having to worry about sacrificing f-stops.

The lens weighs a ton. It's heavier than my 50-200mm Zuiko. It's also a little bigger. So don't expect to use this as your "walk around lens". Focus is pretty fast, and it also seems to focus fairly quickly in low-light situations. I won't say anything about distortion or abrasion because I haven't seen any so far. Enough said about that.
The lens may seem pricey, but it's a pro-quality lens. You get what you pay for. It's not for the usual hobbyist, and not something you buy your kid for his birthday. If you want/need pro-quality results, this lens is a must-have. Great for portraiture and medium telephoto shooting. If you're what they call a serious/advanced hobbyist I would suggest you consider your needs and think about this lens. Maybe save up for a while and make it the next big purchase you make toward your photography. However if you're shooting with an evolt (e500, e510, etc) I suggest serious/advanced hobbyists upgrade to an E3 before spending money on this lens. You'll find an E3 does more for your all-around shooting than a pro-lens will. But that's up to you.

If you're a pro looking for your next great lens, you've found it. Aside from the quality of the shots coming out of this lens it's also a great performer in terms of controlling CA (again, I've not seen any yet), focus and that oh-so-sweet fixed aperture. This lens is giving me better quality shots than I've seen from the Canon 5d and even the 40d.

Anyway, I don't regret buying this lens at all. In fact I'm most excited about the results and potential of this lens than I've been with any of my past lens purchases. I'm really in love with it!
I'm including a couple of images I took with the lens. You can see for yourself how great it is.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Magnificent Glass!, Wednesday, 12 September 2007


Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
This lens is ultra bright and fast! The images have a sharp focus and a creamy bokeh. I mounted this lens on my Olympus e1 and have never unmounted since. It is very heavy and expensive... but the resulting images should have you satisfied.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Brilliant lens, Tuesday, 20 February 2007


Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
If you shooting portraiture and medium range telephoto things - this is lens to have. Granted, its bleeding expensive. Its heavy.

But there isnt anything around that is as bright and sharp, made by any other manufacturer in any other system. Bokeh is nearly same as what you get with legendary Zuiko's 50mm fixed length lenses (including ZD one). Sharpness is top notch (almost too sharp sometime). It handles like extension of your arm, and its bright bright bright...
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