Olympus 35-70 mm f4 Zoom Lens

Olympus 35-70 mm f4 Zoom Lens. Near mint condition. (Serial No 257727)

Lens is supplied complete with its original end caps and lens hood.

Optics are pristine and as good as new. Focus throw is smooth through the range, aperture reactive and snappy. The zoom ring exhibits a slight stiffness but is not enough to make it worth a rebuild on the lens. Lens operates perfectly well in all respects.

This is one of our own lenses which just isn’t being used much and as a result we have decided to pass it on to someone who may get more use from it. We will include a usable Hoya 55mm Skylight filter with the lens to protect its very large front element from damage.

The f4 version of the Olympus 35-70mm zoom was bought in as a lower cost alternative to the very much more expensive f3.6 version. While the 3.6 version is recognised as the better lens ins raw performance it was/is also significantly more expensive.  Back when it was introduced its primary aim was to maintain sales of Olympus gear.
As zoom lenses gained popularity in the late 1970s the problem for the major manufacturers is they started losing sales to low cost 3rd party suppliers like Tamron, Vivitar, Sigma and Soligor. While the major manufacturers offerings were often superior they were also vastly more expensive and many customers opted for 3rd party lenses as a result. Olympus decided to develop a lower cost version of their f3.6 to try and stop sales moving to 3rd party suppliers. While the f4 version of this lens is a bit slower its barely noticeable in the viewfinder thanks to the OM viewfinders being so bright and sharp.

Like the f3.6 version the lens features fully multi-coated elements and has superb sharpness and color rendition and has no focus shift as the lens is zoomed in and out. Overall a very pleasing lens.

Minimum photographic range:48cm x 72cm (18.9 of x 28.3″) @35mm; 25cm x 37.5cm (9.8″ x 14.8″) @70mm
Length: 71mm (2.8″) at 70mm setting
Maximum diameter: 68mm (2.7″)
Weight: 380g. (113.4 oz.)
Filter Ring: 55mm

Restoration

None – the lens was acquired in perfect condition and has been kept well stored and used with care.

Test pics are thumbnails please click for high definition version.

Sample Pic - Olympus 35 70 f4 - expired Fuji 400 - Doyle Carte Island

Sample Pic - Olympus 35 70 f4 - expired Fuji 400 - Portmadoc

Sample Pic - Olympus 35 70 f4 - expired fuji 400 - Snowdon

Please be aware that the cameras and lenses for sale can be up to 50 years old.  They have been serviced and/or checked and are always as good as they can be made, but please don’t expect them to be flawless as if they were made yesterday.

All lenses of this age exhibit some small particles of dust and coatings are not up to modern standards. Cameras will exhibit some wear signs and likewise may have small dust specks in their viewfinders or focus screens.  These do not affect the picture in any way.

ANY problems or issues will be described in the main text which you are advised to read carefully.If you are unfamiliar with film cameras we suggest you do some online research and read the manuals which are freely available from online resources.

We are enthusiastic film fans and spend our time hunting cameras and lenses that have been or are being unloved. We then spend hours to bring them back to fully working and clean condition, ready for a new lease of life with you  We always change the film seals, give the camera a clean/service and make sure its fully working before we sell it on to you.

Most lenses are cleaned, re-lubricated and all of their functions checked prior to sale so you know they will work, full details will always be in the text. All items are packed safely for transit using proper packing material NOT something the cat was sick in. Having been stung both on eBay and by dealers alike who often know very little about film cameras we decided to offer people a chance to experience film using a camera that will last for many years and which we can say for sure works reliably

Mel & Claire