Olympus Zuiko 90-250mm f2.8 Ft

The 90-250 f2.8 corresponds to a small picture focal length of 180-500mm. This Aperture provides Sigma except with the 16.7-kilogram 200-500mm zoom no manufacturer a super-telephoto zoom with comparable performance values. With about 3.2 kilos can the Zuiko unlike the Sigma swirl freehand. I make no monopod with that thing for hours Mitzieher. The L400 far I've seen no vibrate colleagues so loose. With the stabilization of the EM-1, the 500mm fail freehand can shoot, but also to the stabilization of the E-5 that was not a particular problem.
The 90-250 is a rarity. After most of the colleagues black thing can not be located, you will often accosted in disbelief. Then you realize that Olympus has the lens unfortunately poorly marketed. That there is this focal length in a reasonable size with a f2.8 zoom, appears to be completely unknown. Many confuse the Zuiko the sinister 200-400 f4.0 Nikkor until the see the "Olympus" on the body.
Also in this FT-zoom lens, the trade-offs that you have to take in a high-intensity super telephoto zoom in purchase competitors, virtually non-existent. The image quality is uniform and occurs even at full aperture at a level that the benefits of a fixed focal length is in question. Teleconverter work on 90-250 without restrictions.

The build quality is outstanding. Unlike the L-shards of Canon each screw of Zuikos is perfectly centered. The lens hood made of metal solid is fixed with a screw and loosens not even after the most intensive years of use unintentionally. A thick rubber ring at the Geli and upstream of the filter thread, the user has the possibility of the camera lens on the remedy.

In stark contrast to the lenses of the top dogs, the Zuiko is completely waterproof. With the 90-250 I was already repeatedly in situations in which their colleagues L and Nikkor shards panic enveloped in plastic bags while I focused completely relaxed on the subject. I had repeated the pleasure to confirm to the C / N-colleagues that Olympus itself in an extreme spring tide has no problems to keep their lenses dry. On the other hand I know two colleagues, each of which a Nikkor 70-200 II and the expensive Nikkor 200-400 are flooded. The panic of colleagues with other brands therefore appears somewhat understandable ... :)

Of course, the auto focus has a locking switch for limiting the focal length. The likely like to be slightly larger, on the other hand you do not have the problem that the switch surrounded involuntarily as with other lenses. In addition, you have to keep a couple of buttons to focus in front of the focus ring. Nikon saves gone again with his new 70-200 II, Olympus is more generous. Who often works with a focus event, knows this feature to appreciate.
Even without ultrasonic drive the focus is fast and reliable. The Nikon 200-400 f4.0 can not keep up, Canon has nothing that can be compared to some extent in the range. The Sigma 120-300 f2.8 I have not groped.

The image quality is excellent. At the long end, the lens laboratory lt. Soft, in practice, the Zuiko remains however at a level that the APS-C and KB if ever reach a bit, only with fixed focal lengths.
The E-5 forms knackscharf from the 90-250. The detailed tracing is better than that of smaller shards (SWD50-200 & Co.) also in full sunlight. As soon raise clouds or the sun goes down, playing more to the smaller glass shards dramatically against the wall. With the same parameters, the colors remain satisfied even in sluggish light situations and strong where smaller lenses only act dull and colorless.

Teleconverter: The 1.4 converter is good in every situation, the swallows 90-250 even with moderate light conditions surprisingly well. However, the EC20 I use only with good lighting, because the losses are noticeable. Unlike the lenses of competitors (eg f4.0 Nikkor 200-400) working at Olympus both converters with full AF functionality.

Is it worth the operation of this lens on a MFT system? Thick Yes! The already good hit rate slips to the hybrid focus and stability of the sensational E-M1 towards fabulous 100%. The focus is if at all only slightly slower, depending on the situation, if necessary, even a bit faster. On the EM-1 then you realize quickly that power reserves yet provides the lens through which 16mpx addition. What looked great on the E-5, is almost caustic sharply with the E-M1 ...

You would need an exclusive Shard? Each of the works with a lot with Tele should have tried that thing at least once. The 90-250 has shifted completely my standards. Where other torment with fixed focal lengths and crop images on the target format, I shoot confidently out of cam. While you have to swallow extreme compromise on image quality and the size APS-C and even more in KB with telephoto zooms, shows the FT-bill telecentric how universally usable lenses expands. The problem of lack of full aperture capability there in this price range only Canon, Nikon and Sony. The Zuiko is knackscharf from open aperture, stopping down is to this shard only when you need more depth of field.
Unfortunately, Olympus has exclusive lenses as the 90-250 or the 35-100 are not sufficiently explored, or the performance is not sufficiently communicated. Those who like me has already rumgeschlagen with other manufacturers' products, will appreciate this 90-250. These lenses have far earned more than a niche existence in the hands of a few experts.

Zooming always mean a loss of image quality at larger sensors. What makes the (m) FT system is the sensational performance of the zoom even at maximum aperture. Who photographed predominantly reportage knows the handicaps of prime lenses in everyday life.
Documentaries, sports or wildlife photography, I would replace the 90-250 against any of the currently available alternatives. Six stars there is not ...