Olympus 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

Lens is very fluid throughout the zoom. One thing I should warn buyers who are wanting to use the lens for video [I have an AF100] is though the lens IS a constant, it only stays constant AT f/2.0... Now, it's not that big of a deal, if you run your aperture at for example f/3.5, it will stay constant from 16mm-35mm.. but will click if you go all the way out to 14mm. Not really much of a set back, I still would recommend the lens to all.

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

I purchased this lens as an upgrade to ZD 12-60mm.
While 12-60 is really a great lens, I found that I'm not using it much at long end and it's "just" f2.8-4, while 14-35mm is a constant f2.0

The images it produces along with the E-5 are sublime, incredibly detailed throughout the frame and at all apertures.

Low light took to new heights and although the lens is larger than a 12-60 by quite a bit, it's not too much of a problem.

Autofocus is very quick in good light slowing down only in very poor conditions (f2, 1/50s, ISO1600).

I would recomend turning the release priority option to ON on your camera in order to speed up focusing in low light as by default the camera is somewhat cautious making sure it's in focus for longer than it's needed.

The bokeh this lens makes is fantastic as is color and contrast which are a step up from HG glass such as 12-60mm.

It is relatively expensive and large, but once you've experienced this level of quality only SHG Zuiko glass can offer, you won't want anything less.

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

I have this lens to my Panasonic GH2. The cam is the absolute killer with the Olympus 14-35. Image quality on professional level!

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

I use this zoom for documentaries, take specific pictures . It s very precise. A good quality.

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

Works great on the go. You'll get great images with both low indoor light and outdoors.

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

I have been using the Zuiko 12-60 for about two years and always felt it was the best lens I would ever use but after acquiring the 35-100 ED SWD I became aware there is a higher class of digital camera glass. This pushed me to purchase the 14-35 and I have had it on my E5 since it came out of the box. While heavy, it is not so bad you want to switch lenses. Clear to the edges and works well with the improvements made with the E5. I am hooked on top glass and now need to get the 90-250 to complete my collection.

I bought mine refurbished from B&H and have been extremely pleased with the purchase.

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

As a novice, I struggled with the cash to play here...frankly, at my wife's prompting, I'm glad I went for it! The bright f2 optics provided a step improvement in the quality of my images. Yes, I traded money for experience, and have no regrets!

As for quality - there are volumes written on this lens - enjoy the journey. If you decide to go for it, I hope you are as pleased as I am. BTW - take notice of the SWD motor, I believe this is a significant development on this fine machine. It does take a while to focus in very low light, but I'd bet it's improved greatly over the prior version.

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

I mainly use this lens a general purpose walk around. Yes it is a bit heavy and sometimes i wish for a bit more reach, but every time a download the shots I'm happy all over again for having bought it.

The images are very sharp all the way across the image. It's a very very good performer optically.

It lost a star for a combination of it's hefty size, hefty cost and limited reach. I guess it's a bit unfair when you consider it's a weatherproofed F2 zoom !

I sometimes find the AF is a bit more twitchy than other SHG lenses I own, but perhaps it's more related to the body. I use the E5 and the E1.

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

When you take a photo, the results with this lens is very great. I have lens of 12-60 of Olympus,it is very good. But it is faster and products very high quality image. It has something very special about the quality of this rens and images of this product also.

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

I own the four main super-high grade Zuiko zoom lenses and this is the one I leave on the camera for general use. It is excellent for all-around photography and its weather resistance on an E3 body make it great for use in adverse environments. I usually use this lens handheld. It is heavy but not onerous. If there is one lens to have with your 4/3 system this is the one.

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

I shoot (primarily though not exclusively) indoors sports. Specifically, Ice Hockey. Anyone that does this type of photography will tell you that between poor and inconsistent lighting, and the speed of the game, it's a tough gig. This lens really helps. Between this and the Olympus High Grade f2.0 telephoto, I can get good shots consistently. I use the telephoto for most on-ice shots and this lens for most off-ice shots. I also shoot outdoors. This lens handles my landscape shots and seems to be optimal around f4. The clarity/sharpness is stunning. This lens is not for everyone. It is heavier and bulkier than other lenses but necessarily so. I actually like the feel but it does make hauling more gear difficult. And, this lens costs more (still not as much as lenses meant for cameras that don't use in-camera image stabilization). You need to research you situation to see if it's a match. If it is, get it. You wont regret it. [...]

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

Great product, fast focus, shallow depth of field, low light work and good balance with E3

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

I'm an amateur steppin' up my gear gradually. I use this lens with my Olympus E-510 body (next in line to be stepped up). And what a fantastic improvement compared to the kit lens. In case of little light i mount the FL 50 to focus, not nessecarely to flash. Works fine. I use the camera in the street, often after sunset. Always using lens hood. My conclusion after a month of use is that motive, light and other stuff you influence greatly yourself, sharpness however you can buy, for instance whith this lens.

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

Aside from heavy and big, which I think are necessary cons due to its huge aperture, this lens is just fantastic. Since I got it, 8 month ago, it has been on my E3 body 90% of the time. It is very sharp, even at f2.0. From f2.8 to f8 the images are as sharp and clean as you can get. The defocused image (boke) is also superb. Distortion is very well controlled, only noticeable at the widest focal length on architectural or similar kind of shots. I have many Leica M and Hasselblad last generation primes (9 of them), and I can seriously say that this lens is at the same level, but remember, this is a zoom not a prime. I use it mainly for landscape and portraits. It is quite good for close up work to, but it doesn't have close enough reach to replace a good macro lens.

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

This lens flat out takes great low light indoor shots without flash -as you might expect for the price and weight. It's worth it if shooting in these conditions is important to you. Watch you depth-of-field, though, on close-up portrait shots. The tighter you zoom under mid-range exposure, the more it will throw out of focus any subject not in the same plane. Just be sure to have the highest f-stop possible for tight, still shots.

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

I have been a 35mm SLR user since 1964 and an Olympus digital SLR user since 2004. I have eight Oly digital lenses and this 14-35mm f2 lens is the ultimate. Output at all f-stops from 2 -11 at any focal length are spectacular. You will not notice too great a difference on a 4x6 print; but on an 11x14 and 13x19 prints you will notice, as they are phenomonal. Clarity and color accuracy are superb. I thought the 11-22mm lens was excellent; but this 14-35 lens is in a class by itself. Photos with great contrast are easily handled. Indoor low light photos are a piece of cake. Other reviews of this lens have criticized its low light focusing. When I tried the S-AF focus option on the E-3 in low to very low lighting, the focusing was definitely slow; BUT when I switched to C-AF focus option, the focus was dead on and immediate with all focusing and exposure options at all f-stops I tried. In other words, there is no focus problem when you use the camera properly. If you buy this lens, it will be on your camera 80-90% of the time, except when you are shooting wildlife, distance sports, etc. Then you can use Olympus' superb telephoto 50-200mm lens (100-400mm, 35mm equivalent)--couple it with the great Oly 2x extender for a 200-800mm, 35mm equivalent. Folks, don't believe all the negative comments about the "small" sensor used in the Olympus DSLRs -- when you can print fantastic 13x19 photos (and larger sizes, I'm sure, but 13x19 is the largest my Epson R1800 will print), why bother with a full frame Nikon or Canon beast, unless you're a professional sports photog and money is no object. For the rest of the camera world, the Olypmus E-system with fabulous digital-specific lenses are way more than adequate. I can't say enough positive comments about this one-of-a-kind lens. You will not be disappointed with this lens.
Update: I shot several airplanes at the National Air and Space Museum, under different lighting, all with no flash, 95% of my shots were excellent. Great bokeh and superb color and resolution. I cannot completely express the special qualities of this lens, and I will anticipate a replacement for the current Olympus E-3, on which this spectacular lens will definitely respond. My next purchase will be the equally great Olympus 35-100mm f2 lens.

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

I have been an 35mm SLR user since 1964 and an Olympus digital SLR user since 2004. I have eight Oly digital lenses and this 14-35mm f2 lens is the ultimate. Output at all f-stops from 2 -11 at any focal length are spectacular. You will not notice too great a difference on a 4x6 print; but on an 11x14 and 13x19 prints you will notice, as they are phenomonal. Clarity and color accuracy are superb. I thought the 11-22mm lens was excellent; but this 14-35 lens is in a class by itself. Photos with great contrast are easily handled. Indoor low light photos are a piece of cake. Other reviews of this lens have criticized its low light focusing. When I tried the S-AF focus option on the E-3 in low to very low lighting, the focusing was definitely slow; BUT when I switched to C-AF focus option, the focus was dead on and immediate with all focusing and exposure options at all f-stops I tried. In other words, there is no focus problem when you use the camera properly. If you buy this lens, it will be on your camera 80-90% of the time, except when you are shooting wildlife, distance sports, etc. Then you can use Olympus' superb telephoto 50-200mm lens (100-400mm, 35mm equivalent)--couple it with the great Oly 2x extender for a 200-800mm, 35mm equivalent. Folks, don't believe all the negative comments about the "small" sensor used in the Olympus DSLRs -- when you can print fantastic 13x19 photos (and larger sizes, I'm sure, but 13x19 is the largest my Epson R1800 will print), why bother with a full frame Nikon or Canon beast, unless you'r a professional sports photog and money is no object. For the rest of the camera world, the Olypmus E-system with fabulous digital-specific lenses are way more than adequate. I can't say enough positive comments about this one-of-a-kind lens. You will not be disappointed with this lens.

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

Olympus allowed me to borrow this lens on a recent photographic workshop in Spain. All I can say is WOW! Terrific for night and low light shooting, ultra fast focusing, wonderful bokeh. Depends on how you like to shoot, but this could be the ultimate “walking around” lens. I own the Olympus 12-60mm f2.8 lens and love it, but if I had to do things over, I’d buy this lens – it's unbeatable!

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

There are many instances where natural light is more realistic and sometimes more dramatic than any artificial source. This is the lens to use for those situations. It produces very sharp images, and fast autofocus. The constant F 2.0 aperture allows an exceptional range of creative freedom. It has become my favorite lens. It is heavy and the built-in flash causes a lens shadow.

Comments about 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko Zoom Lens for Olympus Digital Cameras:

This lens is what I am expecting now that I've begun to invest in the 4/3rds. It's first rate and focuses quite fast even on an E-1. It's big, and heavy, yes, but compared to the canon 24-70 f2.8 (approx same size), the front zoom extension is moderate whereas the canon extends quite a bit within the lens shade (very odd and too long). The one gripe is that it's not a 24-70. Those 4 extra mm's are crucial for shooting amongst changing and dense environments. If oly made a 24-70 at f2.8, I would have bought it instead. With that said, having to deal with a 28 makes me wish I had a bit more on the long side... like an 80 or 85. Regardless, it's worth it.