Olympus OM 35-70mm autozoom decision.Opinions needed.

[Joao]

Hello
I have two Olympus OM System 35-70mm Autozoom lenses.
One is a heavy f =1 :4 MC lens, the other is a much lighter f= 1:3.5 - 4.5 lens. This last one seems slightly better when I read the technical descriptions.
One of these lenses must leave, and I am prone to keep the f =1:3.5 - 4.5.
However, before I make a decision I would like to hear the user’s point of view concerning reliability and eventual problems that this model may show. I will be grateful for any comments from users of one (or both) of these lenses.
Thanks in advance for your opinions
Joao

 

[Noll]

My suggestion is to keep the one that you enjoy the feel of more. I have and like the f3.5-4.5 version and have yet to find an unsharp focal length on it. Being small and light is one of the selling points of the OM system for me, and it gets more general use than my primes most days. That said the ergonomics aren't the best IMO, but I've gotten used to it, for the most part.

 

[btgc]

For manual focus/non-TTL flash application constant aperture zooms I value over variable aperture zooms. With AF bodies and TTL flash variable aperture isn't such a necessity anymore.

 

[nrb]

I have both these lenses. I'd say the f4 is sharper and the f3.5-4.5 is smaller.