@photonewspn | photographynews.co.uk
GEAR / 41
BUTTONED-UP It may have a lot of external
switches, but the 50-200mm is well sealed against the elements
Verdict Overall rating: 9/10 For specialists in wildlife or sport, the best lens available for the system today Pros Class-leading image stabilisation and great image quality Cons Not the cheapest option but offers something unique one of the most capable lenses found in the OM System line-up. For photographers who demand performance in every condition, this bright new telezoom could be the only long lens they ever need. It’s a lens that invites confidence, whether you’re tracking distant wildlife, freezing action or isolating a subject with shallow depth-of-field. The constant f/2.8 aperture ensures consistent exposure and allows faster shutter speeds in low light – a true advantage for dawn or dusk shooting. While the price will put it firmly within the professional bracket, the blend of reach, speed, stabilisation and rugged construction makes it producing a 0.25x magnification. Attach the MC-20 teleconverter and achieve a true 1:1 macro equivalent – perfect for detailed close-ups. Image quality is outstanding. Even at f/2.8 the lens is sharp across the frame, with crisp detail and fine contrast. Chromatic aberration is virtually absent and vignetting negligible. Stopping down yields a minor increase in sharpness, while bokeh is delightfully smooth thanks to a nine-blade circular diaphragm. Specular highlights stay rounded and, even against strong backlight, flare and ghosting are well controlled. The ability to use teleconverters adds further versatility. With the MC- 14, the lens becomes a 70-280mm f/4 (140-560mm equivalent). Add the MC- 20 and it transforms into a 100-400mm f/5.6 (200-800mm equivalent) – but all while retaining image stabilisation and weather sealing. This flexibility means many photographers can replace both their 40-150mm and 100-400mm zooms with a single lens. In the field, the 50-200mm f/2.8 IS Pro feels every inch a professional tool: fast, responsive and remarkably stable.
BLACK BEAUTY The detail that’s captured by the OM lens is just superb, with no noticeable moiré
I have been using Olympus and OM System cameras and lenses in the motorsport industry for the past nine years, so when I was given the chance to test the new OM-1 Mark II and 50-200mm f/2.8 IS Pro lens, I was keen to see how they’d perform in the fast-paced, unpredictable environment of motocross. From the very first session, it was clear this pairing was built for speed. Autofocus performance stood out immediately. The camera and lens worked together seamlessly to track subjects with amazing accuracy, maintaining sharp focus even as the bikes moved towards and away from me through corners. Whether I wanted to get a tight close-up or a wider, more scenic Second opinion by Jess Hurley
shot of the circuit, focus remained locked throughout. Image quality was consistently good. The combination offered sharp, clean files with great balance that mixed harsh sunlight, deep shadows and rapidly changing exposure. The colour reproduction was natural yet
vibrant, giving each frame a striking overall look straight-out-of-camera. The set-up also felt familiar, making the transition effortless. The control layout and quick-access buttons provided immediate shortcuts to key functions, saving valuable time when lighting and track conditions changed. I could make adjustments instinctively, without diving into the full menu – a huge advantage in motorsport where every second counts. Ergonomically, the camera and lens felt superb. The body shape and textured grip made handling secure and comfortable, even during long shooting sessions at the two-day event. The design has clearly been engineered with the working photographer in mind – balanced, intuitive and durable enough to handle long hours trackside. Overall, it was a very positive experience. The improvements over my current Olympus kit were easy to feel in practice, particularly in the autofocus and handling. The OM-1 Mark II and 50-200mm f/2.8 IS Pro are clearly designed for those who demand both precision and practicality.
TRACK STAR The new zoom and OM-1 body impressed Jess Hurley in her motocross shoot
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