Olympus ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras from Digital Camera Showroom

This 3x standard zoom lens is the smallest and lightest in its class and features a closest focusing distance of only 25cm. The ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and two aspherical lens elements correct aberrations without increasing lens dimensions. The circular aperture diaphragm enables beautiful defocusing - one of the big advantages of this lens. Excellent mobility is assured by a weight of less than 190 grams. Maximum Image Magnification 0.19x (equivalent to 0.38x on a 35 mm film camera) Minimum Field Size 91 x 68 mm Number of Blades 7 (Circular Aperture Diaphragm) Maximum Aperture f3.5 (14mm) - f5.6 (42mm) Minimum Aperture f 22 Filter Size Diameter 58 mm Dimensions Diameter 65.5x61mm Weight 190g Box Contents 14-42mm F3.5-5.6, Lens Cap (LC-58C), Lens Rear Cap (LR-1), Lens Hood (LH-61C), Instruction Manual, Olympus Worldwide Warranty Card

Olympus ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens for Olympus ...- User Rating:
Summary for Olympus ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens for Olympus ...- Smaller and lighter than its predecessor
Notes on Olympus ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens for Olympus ...- This lens is a newer version of the standard kit lens that comes with E-series Olympus digital SLRs. It is about 1/3 smaller in length and girth and weight than the 14-45 lens. It has the same apertures (3.5-5.6) as the old one but focuses a little closer. The first thing I noticed is that manual focusing is quicker, quieter and more positive than the old one. It has the feel of a "good old" prime lens when focusing manually. The smaller size really helps it fit in my bag better; the lighter weight makes carrying the camera (E-330) much easier. A fine point: Olympus now supplies a front-pinch type lens cap that makes it possible to remove and replace the cap with the lens hood in place. The previous model had an edge-pinch type that made it necessary to remove the lens shade first. The technical reviews suggest that this lens produces images that are sharper in the corners at full aperture than its predecessor. But what I do know for sure, is that although the near-focusing distance is about 1 foot, I was able to produce a sharp image (in Macro setting) at 5 inches on my E-330!! The mounting bayonet flange appears to be plastic. Only time will tell about its durability. I don't do a lot of lens changing, so I'm not concerned. The images I'm getting are excellent, so I'm glad I made the change. Recommended.

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Olympus ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens for Olympus ...- User Rating:
Summary for Olympus ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens for Olympus ...- Excellent Kit Lens
Notes on Olympus ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens for Olympus ...- Pro: Very sharp for a kit lens, very light, very small. Good focal range (28-84mm full-frame equivalent), really well built for a plastic lens

Con: plastic mount, not that fast (5.6 at the longest end)

This lens is so light and small that even if you have better ones, you should still have it in your camera bag as a backup. As a primary "walk-around" lens, it's more than up to the task.

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