Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 Digital ED SWD Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras
 |   Release Date : 2007-11-05 Publisher : Olympus Company : Olympus |
Features
- 12-60 millimeter f2.8-4.0 zoom lens for digital cameras (equivalent to 24-120 millimeter in 35 millimeter photography)
- Features Supersonic Wave Drive (SWD) technology inside to provide quiet, ultra-fast autofocus speed
- In combination with the Olympus E-3 DLSR, delivers the fastest autofocus speed in the world
- 100-percent digital design ensures high-definition performance
- Features special optical glass elements to correct various types of aberrations
Product Description
In combination with the E3 Digital SLR Camera, this 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 SWD lens delivers fast autofocus speeds. It covers a zoom range equivalent to 24mm to 120mm on a 35mm camera lens. This lens also boasts impressive close-up shooting capability, allowing users to shoot from as close as 25cm throughout the zoom range. The extraordinary autofocus drive provides both high speed and high precision while operating with extremely low noise. Designed to meet the needs of the professional photographer, Zuiko Digital lenses were born of an uncompromising commitment to performance. The lens features high resolving power, to get the most out of the imaging element. Zuiko Digital lenses allow light to strike the image sensor at a near-perpendicular angle, minimizing degradation and light loss. This large, award-winning lens is perfectly matched to work exclusively with digital cameras so every pixel is properly exposed.Customer reviews
A bit pricey, but worth every penny by .. E. Seale (Littleton, CO USA)
Let's get one thing out of the way -- obviously, this isn't a cheap lens.
But in terms of capability and quality, it's a HUGE step up from the kit (14-42mm) glass. Weather-resistant, fast to focus, wide zoom range, makes images that are razor sharp from edge to edge -- you can't argue with its quality.
Note though, that if you're used to the kit lens, this item's weight and size will be noticeably greater than what you've been using. That's often the price of a faster lens -- to get more light in, you need a bigger diameter (and with that, heavier) lens. Also, the built-in flash doesn't work well with this lens -- in most cases, the lens will block the flash in part of the frame. Still, you can keep your kit lens for built-in-flash shots, and use this one for all your "available light" shots.
I've had mine for just a few weeks, and I love the pictures it takes with my E-510. I plan (somewhere in the future) to move up to an E-3, so the SWD doesn't buy me much now, but keeps me somewhat "future-proofed" for the day when I have the cash to upgrade my camera.
Don't buy any camera, unless it will take this lens. by .. J. Harwick (Tri-Cities WA)
After 55 years of praticing photography, my photographs are now an order of magnitude beter since buying this lens. (8 contest awards in the last two months) Nothing else comes close. If you don't have a camera that will take this lens get one! You will thank me later.
Check out it's mate the Zuiko 50-200mm SWD. Also excellent.
Worth waiting for by .. D. Jones (Annapolis, MD USA)
Having made the leap to such a pricey item and waited for its arrival, any buyers guilt I developed during the buying process vanished. This is a hefty lens, has a good solid feel and it takes some very fine images. The auto focus, coupled with my E-510, even in low light is both fast and quiet. I have two dogs and a cat, all of whom can move quickly when they see the camera coming out but they were unable to escape this lens! Very impressed - I'll be evaluating it a lot this weekend and recommend it to anybody who is thinking of taking the next step up from the kit lenses.
Perfect Zoom Lens by .. H. Alhazmi ()
I got this lens with my E-3, at 1st the focuse was inaccurate in low light, but after firmware update, the lens exploded with life.
image quality at highest among all zoom lenses in the market. distortion is minimal. CA and vagnaiting almost not excessed. extremely fast, top notch build quality, of course weather sealed.
with range equal 24-120mm on 35mm its the perfect zoom lens. as with all pro lenses its in the heavy side though.
Highly recommended with Olympus E-3
The perfect lens to leave on your camera by .. Earl E. (Connecticut)
I bought this lens based on reviews seen here and my overall satisfaction with the Olympus brand. Out of the box revealed a high quality made in Japan (not China)lens. The zoom ring is a little tighter than I prefer but still perfectly acceptable.
My heart sank when my E300 wouldn't start after attaching the lens. After some frantic phone calls I learned that I had to update the camera's firmware. The Olympus website is very clear on the procedure and the whole process took less than 15 minutes. The first thing I noticed that this lens is one heavy hunk of glass. At 21.2 ounces compared to 10.9 ounces for the 14-45 kit lens, the extra weight does tend to unbalance the camera. The second thing I noticed was it focused noticably faster than the 14-45. Even in dim light I was surprised how quickly the lens popped into focus. The 12-60 zoom range is the ideal range for me and I truly appreciate the 12mm setting for those cramped quarters situations. Performance is exemplary. No noticeable linear or color distortion nor dark corners at any setting. This is the perfect lens to leave on your camera. One final bit of nitpicking; the velvet "sock" supplied as a lens case provides minimal, if any, protection. A soft leather pouch would be more appropriate for a $900 lens.
