Olympus OM 300mm f/4.5 Zuiko Auto-T Lens
The Olympus OM 300mm f/4.5 is a 300mm f/4.5 lens designed for Olympus OM mount cameras. Used copies start from $137.02 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Olympus OM 300mm f/4.5 Zuiko Auto-T Lens
Used Olympus OM 300mm f/4.5 Listings on GearFocus
Lens Overview — Olympus OM 300mm f/4.5
Key Features — Olympus OM 300mm f/4.5
300mm Prime Focal Length: Fixed 300mm field of view provides consistent telephoto reach for distant subjects without the optical compromises of a zoom design.
f/4.5 Maximum Aperture: Offers reasonable light-gathering for a 300mm prime, allowing use in moderate light conditions and providing some background separation.
Olympus OM Mount: Natively compatible with all Olympus OM-series SLR film cameras, and adaptable to most modern mirrorless and DSLR systems via widely available third-party adapters.
Manual Focus Only: Dedicated manual focus ring allows precise, deliberate focus control suited to landscapes, portraiture at distance, and other methodical shooting styles.
72mm Filter Thread: Standard filter size gives access to a wide range of telephoto filter accessories including ND, polarizer, and UV filters.
640g Build Weight: Relatively manageable for a 300mm prime, making handheld or monopod use practical for extended shooting sessions.
Lens Specifications — Olympus OM 300mm f/4.5
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Wildlife, Sports, Birding |
| Lens Type | Telephoto |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 300mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4.5 |
| Camera System | SLR |
| Lens Mount | Olympus OM |
| Autofocus | No |
| Focus Type | Manual Focus |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 72mm |
Description — Olympus OM 300mm f/4.5
The Olympus OM 300mm f/4.5 Zuiko Auto-T is a prime telephoto lens built for full-frame SLR camera systems using the Olympus OM mount. With a fixed 300mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/4.5, it is designed to bring distant subjects closer with consistent optical characteristics across the entire focal length. This is a manual focus lens, offering the photographer full manual control over focus with no electronic or mechanical autofocus assistance.
A 72mm filter thread allows straightforward use of standard photographic filters, including polarizers and UV filters commonly used in telephoto applications. At 640g, the lens maintains a reasonable weight profile for its focal length class, making it practical for extended handheld sessions. There is no image stabilization built in, so users should pay close attention to shutter speed to minimize motion blur.
Whether used on original Olympus OM film bodies or adapted to a modern digital platform, this lens represents a straightforward manual telephoto option within the OM system heritage.
Pros — Olympus OM 300mm f/4.5
- ✓Fixed 300mm focal length provides meaningful telephoto reach for distant subjects
- ✓Maximum aperture of f/4.5 delivers reasonable light-gathering capability for a 300mm prime
- ✓Native Olympus OM mount ensures direct, adapter-free compatibility with all OM-series SLR cameras
Cons — Olympus OM 300mm f/4.5
- ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus capability, which limits viability for fast-moving subjects
- ✗No image stabilization, requiring careful shutter speed management to avoid camera shake at 300mm
- ✗Fixed prime focal length offers no zoom flexibility for framing adjustments
Videos — Olympus OM 300mm f/4.5
Olympus Zuiko 300mm f/4.5 Auto-T (Olympus' Most Underrated Lens?) | Round Glass Review — David Hancock