Olympus 9-18mm f/4-5.8 Gets the Job Done - Fall Colors

[RobbieV]

The humble Oly 9-18 still surprises me sometimes. I had one back in 2013 with the original E-M5 and loved it then...sold it when I took a detour to Fuji/Sony/Nikon...and purchased it again used for around $250 last year when I jumped back into OM System.

I think about getting one of the better, and much more expensive ultra-wide options from time to time, but for what I use it for, it just gets the job done! I used it this weekend quite a bit in conjunction with the internal ND filter on both the OM-1v2 and OM-5, and was always happy with the results.


Douglas Falls | W.V.


Elakala Falls | W.V.


Blackwater Falls SP | W.V.


Swallow Falls State Park | MD


Swallow Falls State Park | MD


Swallow Falls State Park | MD


Swallow Falls State Park | MD

--
***************
Robbie
Husband, Dad, Explorer, and Picture Taker.
IG @Robbie.Rambles
www.flickr.com/rvaughn
www.robvaughnphoto.com

 

[SonyX]

The humble Oly 9-18 still surprises me sometimes. I had one back in 2013 with the original E-M5 and loved it then...sold it when I took a detour to Fuji/Sony/Nikon...and purchased it again used for around $250 last year when I jumped back into OM System.

I think about getting one of the better, and much more expensive ultra-wide options from time to time, but for what I use it for, it just gets the job done! I used it this weekend quite a bit in conjunction with the internal ND filter on both the OM-1v2 and OM-5, and was always happy with the results.

Overall, these are pretty good photos, and it's a shame when the equipment lets you down. It's even stranger when the OP chooses to ignore it.
I apologize in advance for opening the photo full-size; this is the sharp area, while everything else is blurry. Perhaps this was taken handheld? In other photos, the edges are far from perfect, but not as bad as this one.

Douglas Falls | W.V.


Elakala Falls | W.V.

--
Alex

Login • Instagram

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

www.instagram.com

 

[johnCam]

Great shots. I would like to visit there. The first shot is my favorite… 2 water falls and I like the foreground detail.

 

[RobbieV]

The humble Oly 9-18 still surprises me sometimes. I had one back in 2013 with the original E-M5 and loved it then...sold it when I took a detour to Fuji/Sony/Nikon...and purchased it again used for around $250 last year when I jumped back into OM System.

I think about getting one of the better, and much more expensive ultra-wide options from time to time, but for what I use it for, it just gets the job done! I used it this weekend quite a bit in conjunction with the internal ND filter on both the OM-1v2 and OM-5, and was always happy with the results.

Overall, these are pretty good photos, and it's a shame when the equipment lets you down. It's even stranger when the OP chooses to ignore it.
I apologize in advance for opening the photo full-size; this is the sharp area, while everything else is blurry. Perhaps this was taken handheld? In other photos, the edges are far from perfect, but not as bad as this one.

Douglas Falls | W.V.


Elakala Falls | W.V.

Yup, I totally agree about the edges not being sharp. Luckily, I stopped being a pixel peeper a long time ago and try to take the image as a whole. That's not to say that image sharpness isn't at all important to me, but the overall quality of the picture (to my eyes) for its intended use is what's most important.

I hike, bike, and backpack with my equipment, and there are a lot of non-imaging qualities that also come into play with my choice of lenses and cameras.

--
***************
Robbie
Husband, Dad, Explorer, and Picture Taker.
IG @Robbie.Rambles
www.flickr.com/rvaughn
www.robvaughnphoto.com

 

[kitjephoto]

The humble Oly 9-18 still surprises me sometimes. I had one back in 2013 with the original E-M5 and loved it then...sold it when I took a detour to Fuji/Sony/Nikon...and purchased it again used for around $250 last year when I jumped back into OM System.

I think about getting one of the better, and much more expensive ultra-wide options from time to time, but for what I use it for, it just gets the job done! I used it this weekend quite a bit in conjunction with the internal ND filter on both the OM-1v2 and OM-5, and was always happy with the results.


Douglas Falls | W.V.


Elakala Falls | W.V.


Blackwater Falls SP | W.V.


Swallow Falls State Park | MD


Swallow Falls State Park | MD


Swallow Falls State Park | MD


Swallow Falls State Park | MD

LiveND looks like a lot of fun for photos like these. Autumn/fall season is also pretty. I like the third and forth photo the most.

 

[SonyX]

The humble Oly 9-18 still surprises me sometimes. I had one back in 2013 with the original E-M5 and loved it then...sold it when I took a detour to Fuji/Sony/Nikon...and purchased it again used for around $250 last year when I jumped back into OM System.

I think about getting one of the better, and much more expensive ultra-wide options from time to time, but for what I use it for, it just gets the job done! I used it this weekend quite a bit in conjunction with the internal ND filter on both the OM-1v2 and OM-5, and was always happy with the results.

Overall, these are pretty good photos, and it's a shame when the equipment lets you down. It's even stranger when the OP chooses to ignore it.
I apologize in advance for opening the photo full-size; this is the sharp area, while everything else is blurry. Perhaps this was taken handheld? In other photos, the edges are far from perfect, but not as bad as this one.

Douglas Falls | W.V.


Elakala Falls | W.V.

Yup, I totally agree about the edges not being sharp. Luckily, I stopped being a pixel peeper a long time ago and try to take the image as a whole. That's not to say that image sharpness isn't at all important to me, but the overall quality of the picture (to my eyes) for its intended use is what's most important.

I hike, bike, and backpack with my equipment, and there are a lot of non-imaging qualities that also come into play with my choice of lenses and cameras.

Thank you for not taking offense at the criticism
I've used many lenses, and unfortunately, one of the worst was the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8, which produced very similar results. I couldn't put up with this and soon sold it.
You're not the only one on the forum who says they don't examine pixels in photographs. Coincidentally, for some reason, this statement has become very common on this forum.
It's good if you're happy with the result.

Whether the lens is to blame, or whether it's also due to handheld shooting and a live ND filter, only you know.



--
Alex

Login • Instagram

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

www.instagram.com

 

[Tough Gritz]

Produces nice color. Good job taking these at 1 second and 1/2 second for good effect with ND filters. Makes me want to do some of this.

I've been using the 8-25 PRO for more versatility. I love it. It lives on my OM-5 most of the time. On a hike the 9-18 is much lighter and long enough if it doesn't force me to take and additional lens for more reach. I like shooting 50mm and its better for some subjects so the 8-25 is better for me most of the time. I also like stronger build, weather sealing, less distortion, wider angle and constant f/4 aperture but when I want to go light and the weather is mild and dry, the 9-18 is much better. A good used one is a great bargain.

 

[Skeeterbytes]

Love these.

An obvious step up would be the 8-25 if you're so-inclined. But for occasional use scratching the UWA itch the 9-18 seems like a fine and affordable option.

Cheers,

Rick

 

[RobbieV]

Thank you for not taking offense at the criticism

I've used many lenses, and unfortunately, one of the worst was the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8, which produced very similar results. I couldn't put up with this and soon sold it.
You're not the only one on the forum who says they don't examine pixels in photographs. Coincidentally, for some reason, this statement has become very common on this forum.
It's good if you're happy with the result.
Whether the lens is to blame, or whether it's also due to handheld shooting and a live ND filter, only you know.

Actually, I have no idea what all the factors are that contribute to the somewhat blurry parts of the image...probably a combination of everything you've mentioned. So many of the perspectives and locations I like to shoot would be just about impossible with a tripod, but I still attempt them because of the amazing IBIS of the OM System cameras. The particular photo that you've highlighted was extremely difficult to photograph with slippery rocks. My main point is that I was able to get this photo at all, and at a quality that I am satisfied with.

One of these days, I may break down and pick up an OM 8-25 pro, but there is still a good chance that if I'm out on an adventure like this one, I would still pack the 9-18 anyway.

 

[ahaslett]

There are lots of MFT UWA lenses - 6/2, 7-14/4, 7-14/2.8, 7.5/2, 8-25/4, 8-18/2.8-4, 9-18/4-5.6, 9/1.7, 10/2.

Interesting that this copy of the 9-18mm kit lens has even more veiling glare than the Laowa 10/2.




Taken to provoke and for effect




Taken facing in a different direction

I guess each of us chooses the kit that suits our priorities.

A

--
Infinite are the arguments of mages. Truth is a jewel with many facets. Ursula K LeGuin
Please feel free to edit any images that I post

 

[RobbieV]

Love these.

An obvious step up would be the 8-25 if you're so-inclined. But for occasional use scratching the UWA itch the 9-18 seems like a fine and affordable option.

Cheers,

Rick

For sure, and if I could justify the cost, the 8-25 would be added to the stable. The 12-40 is really my wide-angle workhorse.

I just appreciate having the 9-18 as an option when the scene calls for it. It's so small and lightweight, I can throw it in the bag on a hike and not care if I never even use it.

 

[SeeingSomeThingsMissingMany]

The humble Oly 9-18 still surprises me sometimes. ...

I think about getting one of the better, and much more expensive ultra-wide options from time to time, but for what I use it for, it just gets the job done!

RobbieV wrote:

So many of the perspectives and locations I like to shoot would be just about impossible with a tripod, but I still attempt them because of the amazing IBIS of the OM System cameras. The particular photo that you've highlighted was extremely difficult to photograph with slippery rocks. My main point is that I was able to get this photo at all, and at a quality that I am satisfied with.

Considering the circumstances Robbie you did excellent to even get these shots.

For sure, and if I could justify the cost, the 8-25 would be added to the stable. The 12-40 is really my wide-angle workhorse.

I just appreciate having the 9-18 as an option when the scene calls for it. It's so small and lightweight, I can throw it in the bag on a hike and not care if I never even use it.

9-18 so dinky would be neat to carry around urban london on E-M10.2, instead of adapted lumpy Sigma 10-20 on Viltrox x0.71 I carry currently on my E-M1.1.

For nature woodlands I probably pickup the well regarded 4/3 Oly 11-22mm they go around £150. Bit bulky. Already have 4/3 to m4/3 adapter.

Douglas Falls | W.V.


Elakala Falls | W.V.


Blackwater Falls SP | W.V.


Swallow Falls State Park | MD


Swallow Falls State Park | MD


Swallow Falls State Park | MD


Swallow Falls State Park | MD

--
Photography after all is interplay of light alongside perspective.
[/QUOTE]

 

[Skeeterbytes]

There are lots of MFT UWA lenses - 6/2, 7-14/4, 7-14/2.8, 7.5/2, 8-25/4, 8-18/2.8-4, 9-18/4-5.6, 9/1.7, 10/2.

Interesting that this copy of the 9-18mm kit lens has even more veiling glare than the Laowa 10/2.


Taken to provoke and for effect


Taken facing in a different direction

I guess each of us chooses the kit that suits our priorities.

A

I have these, each rendering in a unique way from the others.





The ancient 7-14 has that "certain something" the SHG lenses sometimes bring to the table, rich color especially.

Cheers,

Rick

 

[JacquesC]

Yip, the tiny 9-18mm lens is a real gem, I love mine and it has travelled with me to many places in the world.

Your images are lovely!

 

[RobbieV]

Produces nice color. Good job taking these at 1 second and 1/2 second for good effect with ND filters. Makes me want to do some of this.

I've been using the 8-25 PRO for more versatility. I love it. It lives on my OM-5 most of the time. On a hike the 9-18 is much lighter and long enough if it doesn't force me to take and additional lens for more reach. I like shooting 50mm and its better for some subjects so the 8-25 is better for me most of the time. I also like stronger build, weather sealing, less distortion, wider angle and constant f/4 aperture but when I want to go light and the weather is mild and dry, the 9-18 is much better. A good used one is a great bargain.

I’m pretty amazed at how long I can handhold the OM-5 and especially the OM-1v2. The IBIS and live ND make for the best on-the-go adventure system available, if you ask me it allows me to do things a bigger system with a tripod would never allow, like climb and scramble with a small bag and handhold long exposures while balancing on slippery rocks. I even shot this Milky Way picture handheld at 6 seconds with the OM-1v2 and 12-40…


Milky Way at Blackwater State Park

The range versatility of the 8-25 is very appealing to me and I know the image quality would probably blow away the 9-18…maybe someday

For now though, the small 9-18 will stay in the bag.







--
***************
Robbie
Husband, Dad, Explorer, and Picture Taker.
IG @Robbie.Rambles
www.flickr.com/rvaughn
www.robvaughnphoto.com

 

[Wolv3rine]

Excellent series, I very much like the fall colors there. Out of curiousity, did you choose F16 in that one shot to achieve DoF or to prolong the exposure time? I try to avoid going over F11 as it is well into diffraction.

 

[Allan Brown]

The edge softness is probably due to the Live ND and how it is created.

I have had my 9-18 for many years and I get very good results from it, especially, when processed in DXO PhotoLab.

Yes, the P8-18 and the O8-24 may be a bit sharper but they are a lot larger - and that is the main reason I never bought one. The small size of the O9-18 makes it an excellent travel lens.

The photos below are taken with the 9-18.

Allan


Olympus M4/3 9-18


Olympus M4/3 9-18 - distortion at top centre is heat


Olympus M4/3 9-18

 

[ahaslett]

Can I ask if the lens has field curvature?

A

 

[sciencenerd]

Isn't this lens a rectilinear lens? I might be wrong, but my feeling is that in rectilinear lenses, the corners are stretched out, therefore, it is more difficult for IBIS to compensate for small movements (in the corners). This goes against the intuition that wide-angle lenses should be easier to handhold at long shutter speed, due to the 1/focal length rule. Therefore, I think the corner softness is caused by motion blur due to the long shutter speed.

In any case, these are wonderful images, the colors are amazing.

 

[Allan Brown]

Can I ask if the lens has field curvature?

A

Here is the photo without distortion correction, so, what do you think?

The lens is supposed to be rectilinear.

For proper operation, it is important to keep the lens level.

Allan


Olympus M4/3 9-18 - distortion correction OFF