Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 7-14 mm f/2.8 ED PRO
3. Build quality
Still several interesting conclusions can be drawn here. For example it is clear that the Olympus 7–14 mm f/2.8 is far less optically complex than other 7-14 mm models with apertures as fast as f/4.0. On the one hand it might make you worried about the proper correction of frame edges; on the other hand the producer could have used more special elements after all. It’s also worth mentioning that the M.Zuiko Digital 7–14 mm f/2.8 ED PRO stands out in a positive way when it comes to its minimum focusing distance.
In the photo below the M.Zuiko Digital 7–14 mm f/2.8 ED PRO is positioned next to another wide angle system lens, the M.Zuiko Digital 9–18 mm f/4.0–5.6 ED.
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The tested lens starts with a metal bayonet mount which is surrounded by a black, plastic ring with an inscription “Made in China”. The rear element of the lens, 22 mm in diameter, is situated on the same level as the contacts and doesn’t move.
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A black, immobile ring, made of metal, with a red dot, making the alignment with a camera easier constitutes the first part of the proper casing. It also features plenty of other information: the name and parameters of the lens, the L-Fn button, the serial number of your lens, the minimum focusing distance (0.2 m/0.66 ft) and the fact that the lens is splash proof.
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Then you see a zoom ring as wide as 25 mm, covered by ribs; it is properly damped and comes with markings at 7, 8, 9, 10,12 and 14 mm focal lengths.
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Further on you see a manual focus ring, as wide as 18 mm. Depending on its position it might work in different modes. When it is pressed the closest to the front element it works with electronic relay; when you press it toward the mount you can reveal a distance scale and the ring becomes mechanical. Its performance is beyond reproach, smooth and well-damped. Running through the whole distance range in the mechanical mode takes a turn through an angle of 90 degrees.
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Behind the focusing ring the lens’s casing gets wider, turning smoothly into a petal-type, built-in hood. There is also a stripe with the name and parameters of the lens and two rings, blue and grey.
The front element of the lens is distinctly convex, with a diameter of as much as 6 cm. It is impossible to use classic filters with it. The element moves – it hides inside the casing the deepest at 14 mm and it is extended at the maximum at 7 mm.
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When it comes to the optical construction you deal here with 14 elements positioned in 11 groups. The number of special elements is really impressive – there are low dispersion and aspherical ones; you can find some dual aspherical too. Instead of describing them all we are showing an appropriate diagram below – impressive, isn’t it?
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Buyers get both caps and a soft pouch in the box.
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