Review of Olympus OM-System Zuiko MC Auto-W 1:2.8 f=28mm

For the provided Olympus OM-System Zuiko MC Auto-W 1:2.8 f=28mm lens many thanks the store ManualLensUA (look at telegram), where you can find many used ones. lenses for different systems, including similar Olympus lenses.

In short

Olympus OM-System Zuiko MC Auto-W 1:2.8 f=28mm is a classic wide-angle lens of the film era. Very compact, lightweight, multi-coated. Optically not bad.

The lens comes in several versions, the latest of which is the Olympus OM-System Zuiko Auto-W 28mm 1:2.8. Due to the unification of names, it does not have the inscription 'MC', while the multi-coating itself remains in place.

 

Appearance

The review lens was in good condition.

Main technical characteristics of Olympus OM-System Zuiko MC Auto-W 1:2.8 f=28mm:

Name of instances from review	Olympus OM-System Zuiko MC Auto-W 1:2.8 f=28mm 131417
Basic properties	The lens is designed for full-frame film cameras (for 35 mm film) Manual focus only MC - Multi Coating - multi-coated optics CAR - automatic iris control OM-SYSTEM – Olympus OM mount W - Wide, wide angle lens Zuiko (Zuiko) – Light of the Gods Metal case
Front Filter Diameter	49 mm, metal thread for filters
Body materials	All parts of the lens barrel are made of metal, the focusing ring is rubberized
Focal length	28 mm
Diagonal viewing angles	75° for full frame cameras
Zoom ratio	1 x
Designed by	for film cameras with Olympus OM mount
Number of aperture blades	6 straight (not rounded) petals
Tags	markings on the focusing ring with focusing distance in meters and feet, there are marks for 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 3 meters and an infinity mark (white m marks) + 1.25, 2, 4, 6 feet (orange ft marks) Ring with aperture values, there are marks for F/2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22; other intermediate values ​​cannot be set DOF scale for F/5.6, 11, 22 Infrared Label green text '28mm' JAPAN on the silver part of the mount
Diaphragm	from F/2.8 to F/22. The lens has an aperture control ring
MDF (minimum focusing distance)	0.3 meters
The weight	169 grams (measured, only the lens itself)
Optical design	6 elements in 6 groups. The lens does not use special optical elements.
Lens hood	Must screw into the front filter thread
Period	Produced since 1983. Later updated to the Olympus OM-System Zuiko Auto-W 28mm 1: 2.8 version
Manufacturer country	JAPAN (Lens made in Japan)
Price	New do not sell. In a variant B. at. 50-150 cu

This lens can be easily installed on any modern digital mirrorless camera. For installation, you should use the appropriate adapter/adapter, which allows you to use lenses with an Olympus OM mount on the desired mirrorless system without any problems or restrictions. Below is a list of systems/mounts with links to the necessary adapters/adapters: Sony E/FE/NEX, Canon RF/RF-S, Canon EF-M, Nikon Z, Nikon 1, Leica l, FujiFilm GFX, fujifilm x, Samsung NX, Micro 4 / 3.

Assembly, control, focus

Olympus OM-System Zuiko MC Auto-W 1:2.8 f=28mm – super compact and lightweight.

Lens body made very high quality. The filter diameter is only 49 mm. The focus ring is rubberized, the aperture ring is not.

The aperture control ring is located at the front of the lens, convenient to use, and has no intermediate values.

The Olympus OM-System Zuiko MC Auto-W 1:2.8 f=28mm focusing ring rotates approximately 90 degrees. During focusing, the front lens (along with the filter threads) moves forward, but does not rotate.

On the body there is a scale for focusing distance in meters and feet and a DOF scale.

Olympus OM-System Zuiko MC Auto-W 1: 2.8 f=28mm has a slight 'Focus Breathing' effect (changing the viewing angle while focusing). When focusing towards the MDF, the viewing angle decreases.

Hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop) for fast and accurate aiming at infinity under any temperature operating conditions. The review sample has a tiny undershoot of infinity in the extreme position of the focus ring. At apertures F/16-F/22, the undershoot is practically not felt and you don’t have to worry about accurate focusing. Perhaps this behavior is due to the use of adapters that I used for the test (Olympus OM -> Sony E и Olympus OM -> Canon EF).

Important: focus peaking with Olympus OM-System Zuiko MC Auto-W 1:2.8 f=28mm on cameras Sony a7M3 и Sony a3500 works good.

Sample photos (Full Frame)

The pictures in the gallery were taken with a camera Canon EOS 5D (Full Frame, 13 MP), which has already become a “digital classic,” and an adapter Olympus OM -> Canon EF. All photos for this review were prepared by Natalia (Instagram). All photos in this review are shown without processing, according to the principles ZEROJPEG.

Jpeg source photos download / watch this link (Google Drive Gallery).

Results

Olympus OM-System Zuiko MC Auto-W 1:2.8 f=28mm – high-quality, compact, lightweight. It has some disadvantages typical of inexpensive similar optics.

10 main advantages

1. quality assembly
2. compact sizes
3. light weight
4. stylish design
5. convenient focusing ring
6. low cost in the secondary market
7. ease of adaptation to mirrorless systems (and some mirrored ones, like the popular Canon EF)
8. multi-illuminated optics
9. good resolution at closed apertures
10. low distortion

10 main disadvantages

1. only 6 aperture blades
2. The focus ring moves only 90 degrees (1/4 of a full turn)
3. there are no intermediate values ​​for the aperture control ring between pairs of numbers
4. a threaded hood must be used (not a bayonet hood)
5. normal focusing using simultaneous movement of the entire lens unit (for example, the same year Nikon Nikkor 28mm 1: 2.8 had the Close-Range Correction System function)
6. difficulty adapting to some mirror systems
7. significant longitudinal and transverse chromatic aberration
8. significant vignetting at F/2.8 and focusing at infinity
9. significant decrease in resolution at F/2.8 from the center of the frame to the edges and corners of the image
10. However, sometimes you can get artifacts from backlight (example)

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram