Understanding the Olympus OM 150-400mm f/4.5-6.3 MC Pro ED Super Telephoto Lens
The Olympus OM 150-400mm f/4.5-6.3 MC Pro ED Super Telephoto Lens is a remarkable piece of equipment designed for professional photographers. With its exceptional performance and versatility, this lens has become a favorite among wildlife, sports, and portrait photographers. Let’s delve into the details of this lens to understand why it stands out in the market.
Design and Build Quality
The OM 150-400mm lens boasts a robust and durable construction, making it suitable for use in challenging environments. It features a magnesium alloy body that ensures lightweight yet sturdy performance. The lens is weather-sealed, providing protection against dust and moisture, which is essential for outdoor photography.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | Magnesium alloy |
| Weather Sealing | Yes |
| Weight | Approx. 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg) |
Optical Performance
One of the standout features of the OM 150-400mm lens is its exceptional optical performance. It utilizes a combination of ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and Super ED glass elements to minimize chromatic aberration and distortion. The lens also features a 9-blade circular aperture, which helps create a pleasing bokeh effect in out-of-focus areas.
| Optical Element | Description |
|---|---|
| ED Glass | Minimizes chromatic aberration and distortion |
| Super ED Glass | Further reduces chromatic aberration and distortion |
| 9-Blade Circular Aperture | Creates a pleasing bokeh effect |
Image Stabilization
The OM 150-400mm lens is equipped with Olympus’s 5-axis Sync IS (Image Stabilization) system, which helps compensate for camera shake and vibrations. This feature is particularly useful when shooting at longer focal lengths, where even minor movements can result in blurred images.
| IS System | Description |
|---|---|
| 5-Axis Sync IS | Compensates for camera shake and vibrations |
| Effectiveness | Up to 5.5 stops of compensation |
Autofocus Performance
The lens features a fast and quiet autofocus system, making it ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects. It utilizes a linear motor for quick and precise focusing, ensuring that you never miss a shot.
Compatibility
The OM 150-400mm lens is compatible with Olympus OM-D and OM-1 series cameras. It can also be used with other camera systems through the use of an adapter.
Additional Features
- Focus Limiter Switch: Allows you to limit the focusing range, which can be useful when shooting birds in flight or other fast-moving subjects.
- Focus Peaking: Helps you quickly identify the areas of the image that are in focus, making manual focusing easier.
- Weather Sealing: As mentioned earlier, the lens is weather-sealed, providing protection against dust and moisture.
Conclusion
The Olympus OM 150-400mm f/4.5-6.3 MC Pro ED Super Telephoto Lens is an excellent choice for professional photographers looking for a high-quality, versatile lens. Its exceptional optical performance, image stabilization, and autofocus capabilities make it a valuable tool for capturing stunning images in a variety of situations.
