Oly 1.8/75, WOW: Micro Four Thirds Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Oly 1.8/75, WOW

Started Nov 9, 2017 | Discussions

Astrotripper • Veteran Member • Posts: 8,676

Oly 1.8/75, WOW

Nov 9, 2017

Just picked up the Olympus 75mm f/1.8 (they got me with the cashback, again). I was not expecting it to be so small. Somehow I thought it would be much larger and heavier. But it's small enough that I would not really mind using it on my GM5.

Can't properly take it for a ride at the moment, so I shot a test chart. Another pleasant surprise. It is sharp corner to corner right from wide open. CA is very small, vignetting is pretty mild as well and quickly goes away with stopping down. I can't see ANY distortion. Looks like peak sharpness is in the f/2.5-5.6 range (it's actually very hard to tell visually any differences in sharpness in this range).

I can't wait to actually go out and shoot with it. I think I'll pair it with my GM5 tomorrow and take it to the conference I'm currently attending. I might be able to find some opportunities to try it out in between the talks.

Too bad such a gorgeous lens does not come with a hood in the box. And 75 EUR for a lens hood is absurd.

Hopefully I'll have some photos to show tomorrow.

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My photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/astrotripper2000/

Astrotripper's gear list:Astrotripper's gear list

Sigma DP2 Merrill Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Olympus E-M1 II OM-1 +15 more

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm F1.8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5

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northlondon43 • Senior Member • Posts: 1,941

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to Astrotripper • Nov 9, 2017

Astrotripper wrote:

Just picked up the Olympus 75mm f/1.8 (they got me with the cashback, again). I was not expecting it to be so small. Somehow I thought it would be much larger and heavier. But it's small enough that I would not really mind using it on my GM5.

Can't properly take it for a ride at the moment, so I shot a test chart. Another pleasant surprise. It is sharp corner to corner right from wide open. CA is very small, vignetting is pretty mild as well and quickly goes away with stopping down. I can't see ANY distortion. Looks like peak sharpness is in the f/2.5-5.6 range (it's actually very hard to tell visually any differences in sharpness in this range).

I can't wait to actually go out and shoot with it. I think I'll pair it with my GM5 tomorrow and take it to the conference I'm currently attending. I might be able to find some opportunities to try it out in between the talks.

Too bad such a gorgeous lens does not come with a hood in the box. And 75 EUR for a lens hood is absurd.

Hopefully I'll have some photos to show tomorrow.

Mine is arriving in a few day's time. Great to read your initial thoughts

Adrian

northlondon43's gear list:northlondon43's gear list

Fujifilm X100V Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 Panasonic Lumix G 25mm F1.7 ASPH Panasonic Leica 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Panasonic Leica DG 50-200mm F2.8-4 +4 more

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CrisPhoto • Senior Member • Posts: 1,749

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to Astrotripper • Nov 9, 2017

Astrotripper wrote:

Just picked up the Olympus 75mm f/1.8 (they got me with the cashback, again). I was not expecting it to be so small. Somehow I thought it would be much larger and heavier. But it's small enough that I would not really mind using it on my GM5.

Can't properly take it for a ride at the moment, so I shot a test chart. Another pleasant surprise. It is sharp corner to corner right from wide open. CA is very small, vignetting is pretty mild as well and quickly goes away with stopping down. I can't see ANY distortion. Looks like peak sharpness is in the f/2.5-5.6 range (it's actually very hard to tell visually any differences in sharpness in this range).

I can't wait to actually go out and shoot with it. I think I'll pair it with my GM5 tomorrow and take it to the conference I'm currently attending. I might be able to find some opportunities to try it out in between the talks.

Too bad such a gorgeous lens does not come with a hood in the box. And 75 EUR for a lens hood is absurd.

Hopefully I'll have some photos to show tomorrow.

Good news, buy the JJC hood. I have compared it to the "original" one and there seems to be zero (aka "no") difference (besides the price tag). I guess it's from the same factory ...

CrisPhoto's gear list:CrisPhoto's gear list

Olympus E-M1 II Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 Fisheye Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm F1.8 Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 O.I.S Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm F1.7 ASPH +9 more

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tt321 • Forum Pro • Posts: 13,854

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to Astrotripper • Nov 9, 2017

Why did you have to do this? Why not just enjoy it yourself?

Now you had to pollute others with GAS! Must resist...

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/xiafei/

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Skeeterbytes • Forum Pro • Posts: 23,186

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to CrisPhoto • Nov 9, 2017

CrisPhoto wrote:

Good news, buy the JJC hood. I have compared it to the "original" one and there seems to be zero (aka "no") difference (besides the price tag). I guess it's from the same factory ...

Seconded on the JJC hood--it's beautifully made and a worthy complement to the lens. I was quite surprised at how nice it is, I just expected something functional (and this lens really needs a hood).

Enjoy the 75, one of my favorites.

Cheers,

Rick

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Equivalence and diffraction-free since 2009.
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epozar • Senior Member • Posts: 1,969

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to Astrotripper • Nov 9, 2017

Astrotripper wrote:

CA is very small,

IMO, the lens is very touchy against light - Blue CA all round, uncorrectable in ACR

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Emil Pozar, http://www.emilpozar.com/

epozar's gear list:epozar's gear list

Olympus E-M1 Olympus E-M1 II Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 OM-1 Olympus Zuiko Digital 2.0x Teleconverter EC-20 +10 more

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juncction • Regular Member • Posts: 259

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to CrisPhoto • Nov 9, 2017

CrisPhoto wrote:

Good news, buy the JJC hood. I have compared it to the "original" one and there seems to be zero (aka "no") difference (besides the price tag). I guess it's from the same factory ...

Not quite true if you're talking about the black one. The JJC version of the black one is matte and the Olympus one is semi-gloss, which matches the lens paint – if looks are important to you I mean.

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northlondon43 • Senior Member • Posts: 1,941

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to epozar • Nov 9, 2017

epozar wrote:

Astrotripper wrote:

CA is very small,

IMO, the lens is very touchy against light - Blue CA all round, uncorrectable in ACR

Perhaps you have a bad copy? All reviews I've read don't mention this problem

Adrian

northlondon43's gear list:northlondon43's gear list

Fujifilm X100V Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 Panasonic Lumix G 25mm F1.7 ASPH Panasonic Leica 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Panasonic Leica DG 50-200mm F2.8-4 +4 more

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Dunsun • Contributing Member • Posts: 656

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to northlondon43 • Nov 9, 2017

northlondon43 wrote:

epozar wrote:

Astrotripper wrote:

CA is very small,

IMO, the lens is very touchy against light - Blue CA all round, uncorrectable in ACR

Perhaps you have a bad copy? All reviews I've read don't mention this problem

Adrian

Yes against the harsh light CA is a problem.

Anyways this must be the sharpest lens for m43 system. I have even owned Nocticron which was an amazing lens too but it's sold now. Olympus produces more neutral character. For portraits in the nature it's a better lens I would say. Less harsh bokeh + a bit thinner DOF + better sharpness.

For a 150mm eqv. it's light and small.

Cheers

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OP Astrotripper • Veteran Member • Posts: 8,676

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to tt321 • Nov 9, 2017

tt321 wrote:

Why did you have to do this? Why not just enjoy it yourself?

Now you had to pollute others with GAS! Must resist...

That's exactly why.

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My photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/astrotripper2000/

Astrotripper's gear list:Astrotripper's gear list

Sigma DP2 Merrill Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Olympus E-M1 II OM-1 +15 more

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OP Astrotripper • Veteran Member • Posts: 8,676

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to epozar • Nov 9, 2017

epozar wrote:

Astrotripper wrote:

CA is very small,

IMO, the lens is very touchy against light - Blue CA all round, uncorrectable in ACR

Yes, I've seen those complaints. It's actually a very common issue with most fast MFT lenses to lesser of larger degree. I'll try to trigger this issue tomorrow to see how bad could it be in real life.

-- hide signature --

My photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/astrotripper2000/

Astrotripper's gear list:Astrotripper's gear list

Sigma DP2 Merrill Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Olympus E-M1 II OM-1 +15 more

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Skeeterbytes • Forum Pro • Posts: 23,186

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to Dunsun • Nov 9, 2017

Dunsun wrote:

northlondon43 wrote:

epozar wrote:

Astrotripper wrote:

CA is very small,

IMO, the lens is very touchy against light - Blue CA all round, uncorrectable in ACR

Perhaps you have a bad copy? All reviews I've read don't mention this problem

Adrian

Yes against the harsh light CA is a problem.

Anyways this must be the sharpest lens for m43 system. I have even owned Nocticron which was an amazing lens too but it's sold now. Olympus produces more neutral character. For portraits in the nature it's a better lens I would say. Less harsh bokeh + a bit thinner DOF + better sharpness.

For a 150mm eqv. it's light and small.

Cheers

Yeah, same goes for mine--strongly backlit features with hard edges, particularly OOF can show fringing. I take it as one of the "penalties" of certain fast lenses and as long as I'm watching for it can usually work around it.

Cheers,

Rick

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Equivalence and diffraction-free since 2009.
You can be too; ask about our 12-step program.

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epozar • Senior Member • Posts: 1,969

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to Astrotripper • Nov 9, 2017

Astrotripper wrote:

epozar wrote:

Astrotripper wrote:

CA is very small,

IMO, the lens is very touchy against light - Blue CA all round, uncorrectable in ACR

Yes, I've seen those complaints. It's actually a very common issue with most fast MFT lenses to lesser of larger degree. I'll try to trigger this issue tomorrow to see how bad could it be in real life.

It clears by approx f2.8

-- hide signature --

Emil Pozar, http://www.emilpozar.com/

epozar's gear list:epozar's gear list

Olympus E-M1 Olympus E-M1 II Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 OM-1 Olympus Zuiko Digital 2.0x Teleconverter EC-20 +10 more

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(unknown member) • Veteran Member • Posts: 7,274

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to Astrotripper • Nov 10, 2017

Astrotripper wrote:

epozar wrote:

Astrotripper wrote:

CA is very small,

IMO, the lens is very touchy against light - Blue CA all round, uncorrectable in ACR

Yes, I've seen those complaints. It's actually a very common issue with most fast MFT lenses to lesser of larger degree. I'll try to trigger this issue tomorrow to see how bad could it be in real life.

Samples somewhere to download and test?

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Jonas Palm • Senior Member • Posts: 1,204

It’s great!

In reply to Astrotripper • Nov 10, 2017

It’s a lens I create reasons to use because the results are just so good!

Enjoy!

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MOD Tom Caldwell • Forum Pro • Posts: 46,352

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to Astrotripper • Nov 10, 2017

Yes it is one of the best M4/3 lenses in my opinion. Works well on the GM5 - you can buy a Matin hood for it. The Matin hood puts a bayonet mount on to the filter threads and allows reverse fitting the hood on/off in normal bayonet twist mounting.

Recent chat has had it that this lens is actually made for Olympus by Sigma.

Don’t care who makes it as it is a fine lens.

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Tom Caldwell

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DrWu • Contributing Member • Posts: 658

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to Astrotripper • Nov 10, 2017

It's a superb lens and I'm sure you'll love it. Here's an example:

DrWu's gear list:DrWu's gear list

Sigma DP1 Merrill Sigma DP2 Merrill Olympus E-M1 II OM-1 Voigtlander Nokton 25mm F0.95 +5 more

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Jonas Palm • Senior Member • Posts: 1,204

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to Tom Caldwell • Nov 10, 2017

I’m looking to buy the GM5 as a backup body to supplement my gargantuan E-M1.

Sounds great that you think it works nicely with the 75mm, I had intended to couple it primarily with my PL 25mm f1.4 and lovely little Oly 45mm. Thanks for the Matis tip, I’ll check it out

(You think the 12-32mm zoom is worthwhile? The body lacks IBIS, and it’s really tiny, but...)

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Cagey75 • Senior Member • Posts: 1,347

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to Astrotripper • Nov 10, 2017

I really don't get Olympus's approach to selling the hoods separately, it's very strange. They must sell enough to justify it though, or they are losing money on them. This lens is on my want list for sure. I have a 25, want a 45, then the 75. Perfect m43 set up for portrait shoots.

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All Fujifilm X-trans sensor shooters welcome: https://www.flickr.com/groups/fujixunited/

Cagey75's gear list:Cagey75's gear list

Fujifilm X-H1 Fujifilm XC 35mm F2 Venus Laowa 65mm F2.8 Macro +1 more

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Ulric • Veteran Member • Posts: 4,559

Re: Oly 1.8/75, WOW

In reply to Astrotripper • Nov 10, 2017

Clearly one of the best lenses in the system, and IMHO *the* best for portraits.

Ulric's gear list:Ulric's gear list

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Olympus OM-D E-M5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Olympus PEN-F Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH +13 more

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