OM Digital Solutions has announced a lens that m43 users will welcome with glee. The M.ZUIKO Digital ED 50-200mm f2.8 IS PRO weighs just over 38oz (1075g) and offers an impressive 100 to 400mm full-frame equivalent range with a constant f2.8 aperture. This isn’t just another addition to their PRO lineup; it looks to be a serious tool for those who pursue wildlife in tricky lighting conditions, shoot sports under stadium lights, or just want more reach and shallow depth of field without lugging around a heavy setup.
The Announcement
OM Digital Solutions, or Olympus as most of us better know them, has just launched a lens that will make a lot of their users want to drop some ready cash. The new M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS PRO lens is set to help a lot of wildlife, sports, and even travel photographers get better pictures without having to weigh themselves down while on the move. It’s not just a lens with 100-400mm full-frame equivalent reach; it’s also got a constant f2.8 aperture throughout this 4x zoom range. Add their 2x teleconverter, and you get an 800mm reach in a package that weighs less than 1.1kg (without the tripod collar). OM Digital Solutions has included 5-axis Sync IS, which offers up to 7 stops of image stabilization. This means you can shoot handheld at shutter speeds that may otherwise be unthinkable. The low weight of the lens would probably aid further in this. Birding and sports shooters will notice the difference right away, being able to keep subjects locked in frame instead of dealing with shake in the viewfinder, especially at longer focal lengths.
Key Features
It’s not just distance subject photography that OM System is making easier with the ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS PRO lens. This 9-bladed lens appears to have some pretty nifty macro capabilities, too, if the sample images provided are anything to go by. With a minimum focus distance of just 78cm (30in) across the entire zoom range, the 50-200mm f2.8 IS PRO acts like a tele-macro lens. You can effortlessly photograph insects without startling them at 0.5x magnification (1x with the teleconverter; full-frame equivalent).
The stellar optics are what you’d expect from a lens with the ‘PRO’ designation: 21 elements in 13 groups, including large-diameter EDA and Super ED glass. The ZERO (Zuiko Extra Low Reflection Optical) II coating fights flare and ghosting when you’re shooting against the light. The inner zoom design doesn’t just keep the center of gravity stable as you adjust the lens; it also ensures dust and grime don’t enter the lens via the extended barrel. Autofocus tracks subjects at up to a blistering 50 fps with the OM-1 Mark II. Despite all this glass, the lens weighs only 1075 g without the tripod mount. The IP53 rating should mean this lens is dust and splash-proof. OM System says this lens is also freeze-proof down to minus 10°C (14°F). A heat-resistant coating helps maintain performance in strong sunlight. The fluorine-coated front element means this lens is ready for action in the field instead of being kept safe in a bag.
The cherry on the cake has to be the four L-Fn customisable function buttons around the lens, along with the focus limiter switch and the preset focus recall feature. These additions show that this lens is clearly aimed at seasoned professionals using the best of OM System’s cameras. The retail price of USD 3699.99 would confirm that. This lens is available for purchase from October 3 onwards
Who Is The 50-200mm F2.8 IS PRO Lens Meant For?
The M.ZUIKO Digital ED 50-200mm f2.8 IS PRO seems to be aimed at photographers who don’t want to settle for second best. Wildlife photographers will surely appreciate the combination of reach and speed. The constant f2.8 aperture will allow them to capture birds in flight or animals at dawn and dusk. Sports photographers can track athletes around the field with just this one lens, thanks to its zoom range. And macro enthusiasts who enjoy telephoto photography can discover new creative possibilities with its tele-macro feature, providing perspectives that shorter lenses can’t always achieve.
Most importantly, this lens reflects Micro Four Thirds’ philosophy of doing more with less. Weighing just over a kilogram, it’s quite easily lighter than full-frame equivalents. Offering the dependability of weather sealing and modern features typical of a PRO lens, new buyers may find this lens perfect for daily use. For anyone who has wanted flagship telephoto performance without the extra weight typically associated with them, this could be the most significant lens OM Digital Solutions has introduced in years.
All images seen in this article were provided by our OM System representatives; used with permission
