{"id":9633,"date":"2017-09-20T08:19:18","date_gmt":"2017-09-20T07:19:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=9633"},"modified":"2026-01-14T09:05:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T08:05:04","slug":"review-olympus-om-24mm-28-zuiko-sony-a7ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-olympus-om-24mm-28-zuiko-sony-a7ii\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Olympus OM Zuiko 1:2.8 24mm on Sony a7"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Olympus OM Zuiko 2.8\/24 is the smallest SLR 24mm you can buy. How much performance can such a small lens deliver on the 24 MP Sony a7ii? Read the review if you want to know.<\/p>\n
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Image Samples<\/h1>\n

You can find most of the images in this review in full resolution in this Olympus OM 1:2.8 24mm flickr set<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Specifications<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Diameter<\/td>\n60 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Length<\/td>\n31 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Filter Thread<\/td>\n49 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n180 g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max. Magnification<\/td>\n1:7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Close Focusing Distance from the sensor<\/td>\n0.25 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of aperture blades<\/td>\n6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elements\/ Groups<\/td>\n8\/7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
The Olympus OM 2.8\/24 usually sells for around $100<\/strong>\u00a0used at ebay.com <\/a>or <\/em>around 130<\/strong><\/em>\u20ac<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>at ebay.de<\/a> (affiliate links).\u00a0<\/em><\/address>\n

Versions<\/h1>\n

For practical purposes I see three versions of the Olympus OM 2.8\/24:<\/p>\n<\/address>\n

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  1. The Olympus OM H.Zuiko Auto-W 1:2.8 f=24mm<\/strong>\u00a0is single coated which is why I wouldn’t recommend it and there are versions with “silver nose” and without.<\/li>\n
  2. The Olympus OM Zuiko MC Auto-W 1:2.8 24mm\u00a0<\/strong>shares the optics and mechanics of its predecessor but it is multi coated. This is the version I own.<\/li>\n
  3. The last version is the\u00a0Olympus OM Zuiko MC Auto-W 1:2.8 f=24mm. <\/strong>The MC was dropped from the name but that is the only change.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    All three versions share the same optics but I would recommend to stay away from the first version (no MC<\/em> in the name, H.Zuiko and f=24mm) <\/em>because my experience with single coated Olympus OM lenses is that they flare a lot. I see no practical difference between versions two and three.<\/p>\n

    Data according to Olypedia.de<\/a><\/p>\n

    Build quality and handling<\/h1>\n

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    Olympus OM lenses usually combine a very small size and great handling. The Olympus OM 2.8\/24 is no exception.<\/p>\n

    Focusing Ring<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The focusing ring\u00a0travels around 65 degrees from 0.25 m to 1 m and a further 15 degrees to infinity. This is a little steep for a wide angle but not much of an issue.<\/p>\n

    The rubberized focusing ring offers good grip and a pleasant diameter. The resistance is pleasant and a little on the low side on my copy. My copy has had a CLA recently so I don’t know if other copies will have a similar resistance.<\/p>\n

    Aperture<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The aperture ring sits at the front of the lens and it has full stops from f\/2.8 to f\/16 which click into place very nicely.\u00a0I think this is one of the best aperture ring designs I have come across.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Hood<\/strong><\/p>\n

    I don’t own a hood for it but it would make sense to get one since the front lens is quite exposed and flare an issue.<\/p>\n

    Size and Weight<\/strong><\/p>\n

    At 180g and with a length of just 31 mm the Olympus is\u00a0very small but still large enough to be very pleasant to handle and very well balanced on the a7 series.<\/p>\n

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    Optical performance<\/h1>\n

    These results are based on the use with a Sony Alpha 7\/7II.<\/p>\n

    Flare Resistance<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Flare is definitely an issue with this lens. If you have a stronger light source in the image you get a very big ghost and veiling flare in a large area of the image. For me this is a limiting factor since I like to shoot backlit scenes.<\/p>\n

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    I lifted the shadows in the image above, if you don’t lift them the flare issues aren’t very noticeable.<\/p>\n

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    Without the hood I sometimes got strange red ghost in the corners. These could be eliminated by shading the front of the lens with my hand but I haven’t noticed such a behavior in any other lens before.<\/p>\n

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    Bokeh<\/h2>\n

    Classic wide angle lenses usually have rather busy bokeh and the Olympus OM 2.8\/24 is no exception here.<\/p>\n

    At f\/2.8 out of focus highlights are rendered busy with a defined edge and towards the corners cat-eyes appear. Stopped down to f\/5.6 bokeh is smoother but the hexagonal shape of the aperture becomes visible.<\/p>\n