Olympus OM-mount telephoto lens (1973–1987) with f/2 aperture, prized for compact design and distinctive bokeh rendering in portrait photography.
Technical Details
The lens features an aperture range from f/2 to f/16 with 6 aperture blades and a minimum focusing distance of 0.85 meters. The filter diameter is 55mm, and the optical design utilizes two high-refractive-index groups to correct spherical aberrations. Multi-Coating (MC) reduces reflections to below 0.2% per glass surface. The focus ring rotates 150 degrees from close focus to infinity, and the aperture ring clicks in half-stop increments.
History & Development
Olympus introduced the Zuiko 85mm f/2 in 1973 as part of the OM system, developed under the leadership of Yoshihisa Maitani. The lens was created as a compact alternative to the significantly heavier 85mm lenses of the same aperture from Nikon and Canon. A revised version with improved multi-coating followed in 1979. Production ended in 1987 with the discontinuation of the OM system; approximately 45,000 units were produced in total.
Practical Use in Film
The lens became particularly established among European auteur filmmakers of the 1970s and 1980s. Wim Wenders used it for portrait shots in "Paris, Texas" (1984), with its characteristic bokeh quality shaping several close-ups of Nastassja Kinski. Its compact dimensions made it ideal for handheld camera work, while the f/2 aperture allowed for sufficient available light shooting. The focus throw permits precise focus pulls, though the manual system limits speed during rapid pans.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 (580g) and Canon FD 85mm f/1.8 (425g), the Zuiko was considerably lighter with comparable optical performance. The Contax/Zeiss Planar 85mm f/1.4 offered a faster aperture but weighed 550 grams. Modern alternatives like the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art achieve higher resolution but are impractical for handheld work at 1130 grams. In digital productions, current Sony FE or Canon RF 85mm lenses offer autofocus and image stabilization but do not achieve the characteristic rendering of the Zuiko design.