My experience with the Olympus 75mm f1.8

For anyone contemplating buying the Oly 75mm f1.8, I wrote a short piece on my experience with it to date in case its of any interest:

http://wellisntthisabitglorious.com/olympus-75mm-f1-8-real-world-review/

Cheers

Tom

Could you post a summary or something, for those who don't want to click random links?

Joesiv wrote:

Could you post a summary or something, for those who don't want to click random links?

It's a real link to a real web page (just like the link in your signature), with lots of text and images.

Summary: He likes it.

So do I!

Joesiv wrote:

Could you post a summary or something, for those who don't want to click random links?

Sometimes i read stuff on the internet that i don't understand. This is a good example.

tkelly11 wrote:

For anyone contemplating buying the Oly 75mm f1.8, I wrote a short piece on my experience with it to date in case its of any interest:

http://wellisntthisabitglorious.com/olympus-75mm-f1-8-real-world-review/

Cheers

Tom

Thank you for writing a interesting review. Your pics are awesome and encourages me to use my 75 more!

Sourze wrote:

tkelly11 wrote:

For anyone contemplating buying the Oly 75mm f1.8, I wrote a short piece on my experience with it to date in case its of any interest:

http://wellisntthisabitglorious.com/olympus-75mm-f1-8-real-world-review/

Cheers

Tom

Thank you for writing a interesting review. Your pics are awesome and encourages me to use my 75 more!

Thank you, very kind of you to say.

Yeah its an incredible lens, but its a bit of a challenge to find a consistent use for it. It's often a bit long for impromptu people shots, but I found that just leaving it on the camera forced me to be a bit more creative and I have managed to get some shots I really like.

Thanks again,

Tom

DonSC wrote:

Thanks for posting. Fantastic lizard shot! It's really great. Beautiful and sort of terrifying at the same time.

As for why would you get this lens, I think the 75mm f/1.8 may be best for indoor sports. Good focal length for that and being able to shoot wide open at f/1.8 would be most helpful in poorly lit indoor venues.

But you found all kinds of other useful subjects.

Thank you! I was quite pleased the way that one came out. I really found that at 1600 the pics came out beautifully clear, but anytihng above that in that specific scenario and there was a very noticeable degradation in image quality. So from then on, for low light stuff I have really tried to limit what I use to not go above 1600. The pics are still usable above 1600 but I just found that to be the sweet spot.

And your points re indoor sports I think would be correct, I dont do much of that type of thing but I have an airshow coming up and I am interested to see what I can do with it there. Will probably just be for shots on the ground, but the clarity you get from this lens I am hoping will bring a bit of magic to it.

Cheers

Tom

brentbrent wrote:

Joesiv wrote:

Could you post a summary or something, for those who don't want to click random links?

It's a real link to a real web page (just like the link in your signature), with lots of text and images.

Summary: He likes it.

So do I!

Thanks Brent, yeah I had somewhat ran out of steam by the time I came to post the article so kept the intro short.

tkelly11 wrote:

For anyone contemplating buying the Oly 75mm f1.8, I wrote a short piece on my experience with it to date in case its of any interest:

http://wellisntthisabitglorious.com/olympus-75mm-f1-8-real-world-review/

Cheers

Tom

Some nice shots, I just bought a Sigma 60mm and as of yet had time to use it. A good write up, thanks for taking the time to do this.

Gary

Pueblo, CO

Hey Tom,

I checked out your website, and enjoyed reading out the 75mm 1.8. It's on my list. I see that we have something in common, Airshows! My experience is a little different than yours regarding the EM-5 and airshows, and I wrote about it on my website if your interested:

http://wp.me/p2xyD1-c0

By the way, I'd love to attend that Duxford Airshow if I ever get across the pond!

My Flickr Photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steves_photoart/
My Website:
http://www.upatdawnphotography.com

salbano wrote:

Hey Tom,

I checked out your website, and enjoyed reading out the 75mm 1.8. It's on my list. I see that we have something in common, Airshows! My experience is a little different than yours regarding the EM-5 and airshows, and I wrote about it on my website if your interested:

http://wp.me/p2xyD1-c0

By the way, I'd love to attend that Duxford Airshow if I ever get across the pond!

My Flickr Photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steves_photoart/
My Website:
http://www.upatdawnphotography.com

Ah, always love to hear from someone an interest in airshows. I am very fortunate to live in Cambridge which is only 15 minutes drive from Duxford so I probably shouldnt admit it but I do go to all 4 shows they have each year. I am from Scotland originally and my dad often comes down for them and its a very nice way to spend a day. If you ever get the chance, you should jump at it. Its not just the aircraft but the entire experience, it feels far more relaxed than full on military airshows, more civilised.

I read your piece on the EM5, its interesting to read how others find these things. I do particularly like your shot of the Wildcat (although that camouflage doesnt look like anything I have seen a Wildcat in :)). However my one suggestion having read your thoughts (and i can say this as i had the same issue) the 45-200mm is actually pretty poor. It was the first telephoto I got when I had the GF1 as it was the more affordable of the two long lenses available from Panasonic at the time. I have since got the 100-300mm and it is absolutely miles ahead of the 45-200mm. Its actually amazingly sharp at the short end and starts to get a bit soft at 250+ but in between its entirely usable. So if I could make one suggestion, it would be giving that a go. Its still far from perfect. As you rightly point out, the evf blacking out when you hit the shutter button isnt particularly helpful, thats why I actually just shoot single shot and try desperately to time it right (not always successfully). But I would say I have around a 60-70% success rate for getting a usable shot which for m43 is pretty ok I think.

The other thing I use is C-AF (not the tracking version). So the technique I use is shutter priority, C-AF and basically follow the plane and when I got to take the shot press the shutter half way down for a split second and then all the way down, whilst still following the aircraft. I have found that works surprisingly well. It might even look blurry at the moment you take it but invariably the final shot is in focus. Its a bit of a different technique but I have had a fair bit of practice and it works reasonably well. In honesty though, one thing I can be guilty of is using a faster shutter speed than I really should which can lead to the props not being as blurred as they should be but I am still learning. Oh and the other thing is I leave the IS on 5 axis as I have tried all the variations and found that to work best for me.

Thanks for sharing, great to see stuff from the other side!

Cheers
Tom

tkelly11 wrote:

salbano wrote:

Hey Tom,

I checked out your website, and enjoyed reading out the 75mm 1.8. It's on my list. I see that we have something in common, Airshows! My experience is a little different than yours regarding the EM-5 and airshows, and I wrote about it on my website if your interested:

http://wp.me/p2xyD1-c0

By the way, I'd love to attend that Duxford Airshow if I ever get across the pond!

My Flickr Photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steves_photoart/
My Website:
http://www.upatdawnphotography.com

Ah, always love to hear from someone an interest in airshows. I am very fortunate to live in Cambridge which is only 15 minutes drive from Duxford so I probably shouldnt admit it but I do go to all 4 shows they have each year. I am from Scotland originally and my dad often comes down for them and its a very nice way to spend a day. If you ever get the chance, you should jump at it. Its not just the aircraft but the entire experience, it feels far more relaxed than full on military airshows, more civilised.

I live very close to Chino (in California) and they put on a wonderful show every year.  Last year they had 5 P-38's in the air, including Glacier Girl.  But, it's only once a year.  Duxford is on my bucket list!

I read your piece on the EM5, its interesting to read how others find these things. I do particularly like your shot of the Wildcat (although that camouflage doesnt look like anything I have seen a Wildcat in :)). However my one suggestion having read your thoughts (and i can say this as i had the same issue) the 45-200mm is actually pretty poor. It was the first telephoto I got when I had the GF1 as it was the more affordable of the two long lenses available from Panasonic at the time. I have since got the 100-300mm and it is absolutely miles ahead of the 45-200mm. Its actually amazingly sharp at the short end and starts to get a bit soft at 250+ but in between its entirely usable. So if I could make one suggestion, it would be giving that a go. Its still far from perfect. As you rightly point out, the evf blacking out when you hit the shutter button isnt particularly helpful, thats why I actually just shoot single shot and try desperately to time it right (not always successfully). But I would say I have around a 60-70% success rate for getting a usable shot which for m43 is pretty ok I think.

Thanks for the info on the 45-200.  I did get it because of a decent price, but while it works, I'm not overly thrilled with it.  Good to know about the performance of the 100-300mm, and now I have 2 more lenses on my list.  I did promise the wife no new cameras this year, but I didn't say anything about another lens (or 2).

The other thing I use is C-AF (not the tracking version). So the technique I use is shutter priority, C-AF and basically follow the plane and when I got to take the shot press the shutter half way down for a split second and then all the way down, whilst still following the aircraft. I have found that works surprisingly well. It might even look blurry at the moment you take it but invariably the final shot is in focus. Its a bit of a different technique but I have had a fair bit of practice and it works reasonably well. In honesty though, one thing I can be guilty of is using a faster shutter speed than I really should which can lead to the props not being as blurred as they should be but I am still learning. Oh and the other thing is I leave the IS on 5 axis as I have tried all the variations and found that to work best for me.

I tried the C-AF and didn't really like it, but to be fair I should spend more time with it.  It didn't react the same as my Canon 60D in a similar mode, and I think I made an unfair comparison and turned it off.  There's another airshow coming up in March so I'll give it a go there (Blue Angels performing)!

Thanks for sharing, great to see stuff from the other side!

Thank you!  I bookmarked your website and will be looking in from time to time!

Cheers
Tom

-- hide signature --

Website - http://wellisntthisabitglorious.com/
Flickr photostream - http://www.flickr.com/tommykelly

salbano wrote:

tkelly11 wrote:

salbano wrote:

Hey Tom,

I checked out your website, and enjoyed reading out the 75mm 1.8. It's on my list. I see that we have something in common, Airshows! My experience is a little different than yours regarding the EM-5 and airshows, and I wrote about it on my website if your interested:

http://wp.me/p2xyD1-c0

By the way, I'd love to attend that Duxford Airshow if I ever get across the pond!

My Flickr Photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steves_photoart/
My Website:
http://www.upatdawnphotography.com

Ah, always love to hear from someone an interest in airshows. I am very fortunate to live in Cambridge which is only 15 minutes drive from Duxford so I probably shouldnt admit it but I do go to all 4 shows they have each year. I am from Scotland originally and my dad often comes down for them and its a very nice way to spend a day. If you ever get the chance, you should jump at it. Its not just the aircraft but the entire experience, it feels far more relaxed than full on military airshows, more civilised.

I live very close to Chino (in California) and they put on a wonderful show every year. Last year they had 5 P-38's in the air, including Glacier Girl. But, it's only once a year. Duxford is on my bucket list!

I read your piece on the EM5, its interesting to read how others find these things. I do particularly like your shot of the Wildcat (although that camouflage doesnt look like anything I have seen a Wildcat in :)). However my one suggestion having read your thoughts (and i can say this as i had the same issue) the 45-200mm is actually pretty poor. It was the first telephoto I got when I had the GF1 as it was the more affordable of the two long lenses available from Panasonic at the time. I have since got the 100-300mm and it is absolutely miles ahead of the 45-200mm. Its actually amazingly sharp at the short end and starts to get a bit soft at 250+ but in between its entirely usable. So if I could make one suggestion, it would be giving that a go. Its still far from perfect. As you rightly point out, the evf blacking out when you hit the shutter button isnt particularly helpful, thats why I actually just shoot single shot and try desperately to time it right (not always successfully). But I would say I have around a 60-70% success rate for getting a usable shot which for m43 is pretty ok I think.

Thanks for the info on the 45-200. I did get it because of a decent price, but while it works, I'm not overly thrilled with it. Good to know about the performance of the 100-300mm, and now I have 2 more lenses on my list. I did promise the wife no new cameras this year, but I didn't say anything about another lens (or 2).

The other thing I use is C-AF (not the tracking version). So the technique I use is shutter priority, C-AF and basically follow the plane and when I got to take the shot press the shutter half way down for a split second and then all the way down, whilst still following the aircraft. I have found that works surprisingly well. It might even look blurry at the moment you take it but invariably the final shot is in focus. Its a bit of a different technique but I have had a fair bit of practice and it works reasonably well. In honesty though, one thing I can be guilty of is using a faster shutter speed than I really should which can lead to the props not being as blurred as they should be but I am still learning. Oh and the other thing is I leave the IS on 5 axis as I have tried all the variations and found that to work best for me.

I tried the C-AF and didn't really like it, but to be fair I should spend more time with it. It didn't react the same as my Canon 60D in a similar mode, and I think I made an unfair comparison and turned it off. There's another airshow coming up in March so I'll give it a go there (Blue Angels performing)!

Thanks for sharing, great to see stuff from the other side!

Thank you! I bookmarked your website and will be looking in from time to time!

Cheers
Tom

Ah, Chino is a place I would love to visit as well, got some amazing stuff over there. Duxford has an amazing array of aircraft and at times you can have 9 Spitfires flying at the same time which is quite the sight. Although they used to do a Balbo (Big Wing) at the end but sadly that is no more I think because of a crash during one a few years ago when a Mustang pulled up clipping the wing of the Skyraider leading to the Mustang crashing. Impressively the Skyraider landed with half its wing missing. Amazing aircraft that one and both pilots were unharmed amazingly as the Mustang pilot managed to get out when he was only about 500ft in the air, but his aircraft was aiming upwards at the time which I think bought him the time he needed.

Coming from the 60D or most traditional DSLR's is probably a bit painful. I never had a DSLR before this so all new to me so I just learned to adapt.

Well I hope you get some nice pics this year and I have followed you on Flickr, good to see what others are getting at these shows.

Cheers

Tom

RoelHendrickx wrote:

tkelly11 wrote:

Yeah its an incredible lens, but its a bit of a challenge to find a consistent use for it. It's often a bit long for impromptu people shots, but I found that just leaving it on the camera forced me to be a bit more creative and I have managed to get some shots I really like.

Congratulations.

You have discovered the best way to explore the possibilities of any lens: just put it on your camera and leave it there for a full day of shooting with no other lens whatsoever.

I've done that with the 17.5mm Nokton, 25mm Panaleica etc (duh! those a really classic focal lengths), but I have also done it with the ZD8mm FE, with the Rokinon 85mm and with the ZD150mm (not so obvious, right?). Heck, on the day I was using the ZD8mmFE, I fortuitously walked into an air show and captured that event with 8mm.

There is no better way to jumpstart the creativity and getting to know your focal lengths.

Wow, an 8mm at an airshow really would force you to get creative. I imagine you could get some really interesting compositions shooting close to the aircraft with that one.

But you are right, amazing how much more interesting your photography gets when you force yourself to use one lens and think about creative ways of using it.