How Sweet It Is...

Those of you who remember Jackie Gleason will also recall his phrase that introduced acts on his variety show - considering his famous size, perhaps it is just a little ironic that I am re-using it to introduce one of the nicest little lenses that we have seen recently.

The Tokina 300mm f: 6.3 lens is built for the Micro 4/3 lens mounts - thus you might find it on the front of an Olympus camera - or a Samsung - or a Panasonic. You'll have to look closely as this is not going to stick out 300mm from the body. It is a catadioptic lens - a mirror lens. It is one aperture only but has been condensed and refined so that overall it is just 67mm from mount to front ring.

It is finished in a smooth silver anodised finish with a slightly darker grey on the focusing ring. It is manual focus but will cheerfully range from infinity to 80 cm. Do your maths for the Micro 4/3 systems and this means you have a 600mm equivalence in a tele lens that is smaller than a man's hand.

This will be the queen of birder lenses for those who plan to trek far into the bush with light packs, and the air show enthusiasts will also welcome it. Sport? Surf? Surveillance? All possible with a tiny little handful of equipment... and no more excuses for not having a long lens in your pack.

The test shots we took of the R&I tower were magnificent - of course with a lens having a focal length as long as this, your limiting factors are atmospherics and your ability to hold on target. Contrast looked good.

Bring in your Micro 4/3 and take some test shots. This is a sweetie.