Olympus M.Zuiko ED 300mm f/4 IS PRO Review

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f/4.0 IS PRO Handling and Features

The lens weighs 1.27kg and takes 77mm filters. It is fairly chunky in appearance, but balances well and becomes the main centre of balance when coupled to the Olympus OM-D E-M5 used for this review. In fact, the camera body is insignificant compared to the lens. The important thing is that the overall package works well and is not unduly heavy or cumbersome in use. This is useful for a lens that gives a 35mm-equivalent field of view of a 600mm f/4 lens. This is a powerful telephoto and needs care in handling to obtain the maximum benefit. Camera shake is the main enemy that will take the edge off sharpness, even on a tripod.

However, the IS (Image Stabilisation) mechanism built into the lens offers optical image stabilisation, plus "Sync-IS", which is the ability to work in conjunction with the in-body 5-axis sensor-shift IS to offer up to six stops benefit. The E-M1 and E-M5 Mark II camera bodies, with the latest firmware updates, will be needed to take advantage of this fully. The L-Fn button on the lens offers up to 27 assignable functions.

The 300mm focuses down to a very close 1.4m (4' 6”) which enables a maximum magnification of 0.24x, very useful for small birds, animals and other closer subjects. Internal focusing means that the lens does not change length during AF operation, nor does the front element rotate. Using polarising filters will therefore be made easier. A switch on the lens body can select various distance ranges to make focusing quicker within restricted limits. Below this is the IS on/off switch.

Manual focusing is engaged by pulling back the focusing ring. This reveals a distance scale and allows rotation of the ring to focus. There are definite stops at each end of the focusing range rather than the continuous rotation of many modern lenses. This ring clicks into place very smoothly, but slightly more resistance to the action would be helpful. Depending upon how we hold the lens, it is fairly easy to engage manual focus by accident.

The lens is largely constructed of metal, and looks built for long, hard professional use. There is a rotating Arca-Swiss compatible tripod foot that can be removed if desired and replaced by a supplied beauty ring. The lens hood slides out in use and this is a very good operational feature. There is no more messing about finding a place to store a lens hood once it is removed. This helps a basically compact and user-friendly design to be even more efficient in use. There is moisture sealing, the lens being described as “dust, freeze and splashproof” so light rain, dusty environments or cold weather should not present problems.

There are nine diaphragm blades, which should improve the appearance of out of focus highlights, the bokeh of the lens. Lens construction is 17 elements in 10 groups. These include three ED (Extra Low Dispersion), three HR (High Refractive Index) and one E-HR (Extra High Refractive Index) elements, a complex construction indeed.

In terms of general handling, apart from the light action of the AF/MF switching there are no issues. The 300mm f/4 is very easy to handle.

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