Lens review

Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 14-35 mm f/2.0 SWD

8. Vignetting

The next interesting category in the case of the 4/3 system is vignetting. Usually 4/3 lenses outclass here any full frame competition. Let’s remind here that, for example, the Sigma 24-70 mm f/2.8 on full frame could lose as much as 50% of light in the frame corners. Now, have a look at the performance of the Olympus 14-35 mm.

Despite dealing here with the excellent f/2.0 fastness, at the shortest focal length the vignetting reaches 31% (-1.07 EV). It is a noticeable value but, taking into account the angle of view we get here and the aperture, this result can’t be criticized. Especially that after using f/2.8, the vignetting decreases to 16% and by f/4.0 it is as low as 10% - a truly imperceptible level.

In the middle of the focal lengths range the vignetting won’t be bothersome at all. At the maximum aperture it amounts to 17% (-0.53 EV) and it decreases to only 8% on stopping down the lens to f/2.8.

The light fall-off in the frame corners increases slightly at the maximum aperture but also there it is not especially bothersome. By f/2.0 the vignetting is 25% (-0.85 EV) and it decreases to an imperceptible value of 10% by f/2.8.