Production
1975 – 2002
Country
Japan
Optical
5 elements in 4 groups
Updated
Feb 15, 2026
Olympus Zuiko 100mm f/2.8
M42
Overview
The Olympus Zuiko 100mm f/2.8 is a small telephoto that excels for portraits and close work. Its close focusing ability makes it almost a macro lens.
Verdict: Great compact telephoto with excellent close-focus capability.
Optical Character
Bokeh
Limited at this focal length but acceptable.
Color
Neutral with slight warmth.
Sharpness wide open
Good — surprisingly sharp for the price. Corners catch up well stopped down.
Flare resistance
Multi-coated versions handle flare.
Contrast
Good contrast for Soviet glass.
Vignetting
Present wide open.
Community Insights
Summary: The community feedback on the Olympus Zuiko 38mm f/1.8 lens is very positive. Users praise its excellent image quality, compact size and weight, and value for money compared to modern lenses. Sentiment: Positive Top Praised: - Excellent image quality, especially for the price - Very compact and lightweight design - Great value for money compared to modern lenses - Produces a unique "vintage" character in images - Easy to use manual focus - Small adapter needed for mirrorless cameras Top Complaints: - None mentioned in the sources Use Cases: - Street photography - General purpose photography - Macro and close-up work with extension tubes - Portrait photography Disagreements: - None notable Confidence: 0.9
What people love
- Excellent close focus
- Sharp
- Compact for 100mm
- Versatile
What people dislike
- f/2.8 isn't fast
- OM mount
Sample Photos
Sources (3)
phillip_reeve-
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/guide-to-classic-olympus-om-zuiko-lenses-on-film-and-sony-full-frame/
phillip_reeve-
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/guide-to-classic-olympus-om-zuiko-lenses-on-film-and-sony-full-frame/
Lens Heritage 2nd JSONsecondary
The Olympus Zuiko 100mm f/2.8 is a small telephoto that excels for portraits and close work. Its close focusing ability makes it almost a macro lens.