I was recently loaned one of these, and it's one of the most amazing lenses I've ever used. After a career spanning over 40 years, I discovered M43, but I'd already wrecked my back by then! Now officially retired, I'm enjoying my photography more than ever, thanks to olympus and lumix
I absolutely agree, and am planning on getting this lens soon. Last night I took some amazing pictures of my nephew at a midnight track meet with my 45mm f1.8. The guy next to me had a huge canon setup and was so frustrated with the lighting, I put my Olympus in shutter mode and snapped away. We compared photos and he couldn’t believe that my little sensor took much better photos than his full frame canon. Stick to what works and thanks for the great videos robin. You make me try to be a better photographer
The 45mm f/1.8 is a small telephoto in disguise. So unobtrusive. I took shots at a wedding party with it two weeks ago. Indoors and it worked very well in that situation. Some of the lenses seem to be discounted quite heavily right now. The 75mm 17mm and 25mm f/1.8 as well as the 45mm/1.8 and the old 12-40mm f/2.8 too. I'm wondering if old Olympus branded stock is being offloaded before they change the branding to OM System.
I just came back to do photography after a 15 years break, i sold my APSC and full frame Nikon and discovered the MFT. I like your videos and your enthusiasm. Keep going!
I just bought a second hand 75mm about 3 weeks ago. Together with EM5 Mark3, Pro Capture and Aperture mode wide open, I managed to get shots of pigeons taking off in the town of Ipoh and storks gliding over Bandar Tasik Permaisuri, KL. Lens was based on recommendation of your prior video - no regrets at all ! I saw a fellow photographer that day in Permaisuri though. The lens he carried was almost as long as half the length the tripod and he was lugging it around. I get what you meant about heavy gears when shooting, it's not Aperture Priority, not Shutter Priority, it's Health Priority ! 😅
You enthusiasm is just awesome Robin! You remain an excellent source of energy and technical expertise!! OMD has missed out on an immense flow of positive and beneficial influence!!!
Got one of the these packaged in with a Pen-F I bought on discount. Its sat their sealed as I didn't really think it was for me, I even considered selling. My Dad linked me to Robin's RUclips... now I've broken that seal and am going to take this lens with me on holiday very soon. Thanks for your passion Robin!
Absolutely my go-to lens for small stage photography. I recently was able to take great images in a very poorly lit and cramped venue, which I don’t believe I could’ve done with any other lens and camera set-up. I wish the focusing ring had a little more resistance, but I have no complaints about this lens. it is truly a marvel - even so many years after it was introduced.
I crushed a few vertebrae in my back and that’s what drove me to M4/3. People tend to ignore the lens size, especially on the telephoto end, when they compare camera bodies and declare there is no size advantage to M4/3. For someone that likes to photograph birds, that size advantage is huge. Yes, you can probably get a higher resolution full frame, use a shorter lens and crop. But why pay for the larger sensor and glass and for the extra megapixels and glass if you are only going to use a portion of them? Thanks for continuing to show people that there is life beyond full frame. We need to ensure the format survives so folks like us continue to have options.
@@WOLFTICKVIDEOS i do also, but I would prefer an option like a twin lens, square sensored medium format. Something like a digital Rolleiflex or Yashica Mat. It would be great for portraits and landscapes. Too bad they don’t make something like that. I would still use M4/3 for birds or sports. One thing I also noticed is that the m4/3 lenses are sharper than even the Nikon Pro lenses I had in the past. You can never have too many cameras or lenses as a photographer.
I recently bought a Nikon Z7 and I thought I would ditch my Olympus OM I mark II. However to my surprise I still use my Olympus at least 50% of the time and in particular, the 75 mil 1.8 lens. A truly remarkable lens that produces brilliant results and as you commented, I don’t have to suffer back strain carrying heavy lenses around for the Z7.
been lusting after this for years, a couple months ago I finally found a mint condition one at a very reasonable price.... and all I can say is it exceed my expectations... love it while I have a fair fortune invested in Canon gear shooting mostly MFT these days due to ongoing cancer treatment leaving me unable to lug about anything other than a Canon FF body and 24-105 lens.... or a MFT camera and 5 lenses
Same here. EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS. I’ve used Various camera systems ( Leica and MEDIUM Format) in combination with pro lenses. For professional work. THIS LENS is by far the SHARPEST LENS I’VE EVER USED. ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!
This lens is so pleasing both in IQ but also in how it feels. I used to own one of those big 70-200 2.8 (Nikon DSLR) and it produced beautiful images but it was way too big to carry around and cost way too much money (then it broke and cost me another huge chunk of money). I am so happy to have switched to Olympus and that switched was totally influenced by you. Thank you! Keep up the great work!
I did have people gushing over my Olympus 75mm photos unlike any other lens I used. The contrast between the butter smooth out-of-focus backgrounds and ultra sharp focus on the subject, really give the images a 3D look.
Well done robin you made the right choice. I have a Nikon d700 full frame it kills me to Carry around and I'm only 48. My omd em5 in mkiii is a joy to use . Light good lens like the 75mm are the way to go.
I was so excited about this lens but for $900 US, I couldn't buy it immediately but heard so many good things. A couple months ago OM did a lens discount on some of their lenses and the 75mm 1.8 dropped down to $600 and had to get it cause I didn't know if they were going to do a discount like this again! I'm living abroad and because this was from the North American market, it could only ship to U.S. so I'm really looking forward to going back to the states to use it and do pet portraits! Great video, Robin!
I wonder if they are clearing the existing Olympus branded stock. Price has dropped at a time of rampant inflation. It's a little strange. I grabbed one brand new for under 500 GBP just last week. Plus the "old" first version of the 12-40mm f/2.8 is discounted quite heavily and it's not old really. It's only just been updated to the Mark ii. Other lenses have been marked down too, like the 60mm f/2.8 Macro.
@@davebellamy4867 That’s what I was thinking, they only promoted this sales through email so it seemed to me they are trying to cash out on theses lenses. Cause they had the $300 off the 75mm 1.8 twice within two months within each other. Some people were hoping to update the 1.8 lenses into a version 2.0. Hopefully they still have silver options
The 75mm 1.8 is my favorite lens of all. It’s so beautiful. I often find myself lingering in the viewfinder just enjoying the beauty and perfection of the frame. I really, really, really love my 60mm macro lens and have so much fun with it but, if I had to choose only one lens to shoot with, it would definitely be the 75mm.
Robin，I love your passionate explanation. It was your article from many years ago that made me get this lens, and I'm still using it. It has captured countless wonderful photos of me and my family, and because of it, I will always stay with the M43 system. Thank you so much!
This was one of the first lenses I tried when I started using Olympus great. I used it extensively for my trips to Thailand and Cambodia back then, it's an absolutely fantastic lens... It's funny how some FF guys say, 135 f/2 is not enough, we need 135 f/1.8 even 1.4, bright as much as possible... Oly 75mm it's such a gem, small, portable, light and very very good, it has so pleasing aesthetics... Often I use 40-150 f/2.8 PRO for convenience, but 75mm is in a league of its own. If they're making a Mark II version just please add weather sealing, manual clutch and coating on the front lens, everything else is perfect at the moment!
Hi Robin I love your enthusiasm for photography and micro 4/3. I too have considered full frame but cannot justify the extra size, weight and cost. I believe that as sensor technology gets better and better, the issues of smaller sensors will become less and less of a problem. Best wishes. Paul
Definitely agree. This lens is pretty much a must-have if you're trying to do any serious low-light event work with m43. It's been essential for me for the last few years.
thanks for this video. you just described why this lens is so perfect. Instead of music gigs I often fotograph other events. Knowing to keep the necessary distance and to be still close enough because of the fact, to hold a tele lens in hand, is a big benefit. And man, this lens is sharp!!!
I have and still use my original Zuiko 4/3 50mm f/2.0 Macro lens with an m4/3 adapter on my micro 4/3 cameras. This lens is slightly somewhat large by today's m4/3 standards, but it's still one of the sharpest and most perfect lenses I've ever owned. If you read any legitimate review of this lens, you will see what I am saying is completely true. I paid $399 for it somewhere around 2009 (on sale from $499) and I will never part with it. It truly is essentially a perfect lens with all aberrations and/or distortions totally corrected by its original design. I mention this for those photographers who have never had the opportunity to use a virtually perfect lens. If you can find one still in excellent condition, I would strongly suggest you buy it. I guarantee it will amaze it you as an alternative to the fine m.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8 lens, but they are definitely in two different categories, the 50mm Macro falling into the simply "incredible" category. I've seen them for sale on eBay from $300 to about $600, and if you can find one in excellent condition, I guarantee you will not be disappointed - it's simply such an awesome lens for portraits, Macro and short telephoto images. As you can see, I'm still in love with mine even after all the years I've had it!
It is my favourite lens really. Not versatile, but for the right uses, it is absolutely perfect. It doesn't hurt that it looks so classy with the compact size and huge front element :)
The fact the thing looks and feels so awesome makes me want to use it and find ways to use it. Got one last week, took it out in the garden, sent the photos to a friend and he just said wow.
The old Olympus 85mm f/2 and 100mm f/2 lenses were drop dead gorgeous but this 75mm f/1.8 is off the scale. One weird thing is that the old 85mm f/2 is even smaller, has only a 49mm filter thread and fits in the old Olympus standard camera cases! This shows how ahead of their time the Olympus designers were in the 1980s.
I’m with you. The fast, super-high-quality prime lenses for MFT negate nearly every advantage of FF. And being able to get the depth of field you need at f1.8 is a huge advantage in low light. Long live MFT!
Shallow depth of field in normal and wide angle shots is the main reason we choose FF. You can achieve this telephoto bokeh regardless of the sensor size, including 1 inch.
It's a double edged sword. If you want LESS depth of field to blur the background and isolate the subject FF obviously wins, if you want MORE depth of field in order to help nail your shot better then MFT has an advantage there. Theoretically. There's no free lunch in photography, everything's a tradeoff.
@@ryankwan1934 yep. telephoto shots is the area where smaller sensor shines. To exaggerate my point: imagine something equivalent to FF's 150-600 on medium format world. Bigger image sensor = bigger lens, we can't avoid physics.
@@sheldonspock5566 for sure. I find the fast MFT primes give me adequately shallow DOF when I want it, too. But, it takes a little different technique and planning of the shot.
Couldn't agree with you more Robin.. Even the great M43 detractor Tony Northrup said he used a 75 1.8 over a Full frame in the mid 2010s. I remember saving to buy a Nikon Mount 135mm 1.8 in the 70s ..it was 4 times larger than this lens. I have regretted not buying the Olympus instead of buying things like gimballs and external recorders that I almost never use. Originally, I was trying to get the insanely expensive 42.5mm 1.2 Pana Leica, but just couldn't justify the cost. Then I got caught up in the bokeh hoopla and got the Sigma 56mm 1.4 for the bigger aperture. The Sigma has never let me down for sharpness,, but nothing matches the Olympus colors. A true perfect lens.
@@seth094978 Hi Seth.. that would be really hard for me to judge since I only had a bit of contact with the 75 mm. No side by side comparisons. I will say that the color on the 56 Sigma is fantastic and I've never been let down by the sharpness that I can tell. Also if you are in say a standard house sized room trying to do portraits the 75 might be too long.. but if you do things like Robin does where he shoots stage presentations the extra telephoto could be an advantage. Keep in mind it's 150 mm equivalent in full frame.
Thank you Robin. I've just invested in the OM-D E-5 Mark III, mainly for it's stabilisation and phase autofocus. Now looking at this lens as I'm taking photos for my niece's wedding soon and will mainly be shooting indoors and discreetly.
Agree 100%. MFT is the maximum size for a versatile system that can go anywhere, anytime, in all conditions. Now, Robin, someday, please show us what you do in post to overcome the shortcomings of MFT.
Yes, it’s a gem! I completely agree with your thoughts on this lens! After renting one, I was hooked ! Frankly, it mounts & works beautifully on my Pen-f as well as the larger bodies. As a geezer, the extra focal length & compact nature of the lens is very convenient. Consider school performance venues & ice rinks etc where grandchildren play & compete, and lighting can be tricky, and the M43 combo really shines! Nice concert photos and good tips, Robin! Thx!
I used to use this so much until I bought the 45 f1.2, now it stays on my camera most the time and I zoom with my feet. 75 still has its place, but the 45 just adds another level of beauty to photos :-)
Dang it Robin! You are going to get everyone buying these on Ebay, and I was trying to get a good deal.😆 Such a good and enthusiastic review though👌. Thank You👍
Your burst of explosive energy and enthusiasm in your videos never seizes to amuse me :D I'm all for small, light and compact myself, so I stick to the m4/3 system. I had a big bulky FF camera once and was sitting on a shelf collecting dust, so I sold it. Also, what you say about moment vs iso, iq etc is SO TURE! I have university photos of VGA resolution taken from nokia phones of the 2000-2005 era that still bring a smile on my face when i look at them, because I see past the horrible resolution and re-leave the moments. Unfortunately all this pixel-peeping frenziness you get from everywhere these days has us forget what matters most in a photograph, which is, as you very correctly put it, the moment! Great vids btw, keep it up!
Extra tip: wear ear-plugs. Not just for your hearing sake, but open areas near the stage are usually near the speakers because people without ear plugs cant get comfortably close. But if you have ear-plugs, you can be right next to the speaker with no discomfort, and get some great shots.
Just took M.Zuiko 75mm F1.8 to studio photoshoot. I pitted it against Lumix Leica Summilux 25mm F1.4 II and M.Zuiko 45mm F1.8. I used combination of studio lights with two of my Olympus flashes over RC, so there was plenty of light and I could shoot at F2,8 at each lens - when they are the sharpest. 75mm F1.8 definitely took the best shot of the evening :) It was little bit impractical to use it inside for studio work on a tripod. 45mm F1.8 was a great all rounder in this type of work. 25mm F1.4 Was a bit of a disappointment at start, but at the end of photoshoot i realized that it works best when i remove the camera from the tripod. Been telling myself to sell it because its not used often, but then I take to a studio and the results are always breathtaking.
I’ve been shooting my friends’ jazz-fusion band in concerts for years, starting w my Canon FF bodies and L lenses. So I know full well about the cumbersome weight AND bulkiness. I sold 90% of it after deciding that Olympus’ MFT was the best system for my new bird and wildlife focus. Now that their band is preparing for their farewell concert in LA, I’m thinking that I should add the 75mm f/1.8 to my bag, because my 40-150 f/2.8 won’t be bright enough. I just bought the 17 f/1.2 and 25 f/1.2 (used) but now you’ve got me sniffing around for the 75.
You are completely right. I own the 75mm 1.8 for some years now and made a lot of amazing shots with it. It's maybe my favourite lens. Nevertheless I notice a small drop in sharpness, comparing f1.8 to f2.0 - at least with my copy of the lens. So I close to f2.0 whenever possible.
This is the best Olympus lens and the only lens that comes close to it is the sigma 60 mm 2.8. Not a 1.8 lens, but a very affordable and very sharp lens as an alternative to the 75mm. There is also a newer Sigma portrait lens with 1.4 and that is a real consideration for MFT cameras . Lovely review Robin and and an excellent video
@@qfapodcastabouthowardstern I can understand that . The 60 or 55 sigma are portrait lenses with little advantage for any other use . When I want a portrait lens that does what you classically would do with a lens between 80-135 in 35mm terms delivers , then those sigmas shine ; just as the 75 1.8 . Of course, you can use 35-60 for portraits as well, but you have to watch the distortion at the wide end and the limitation to blur backgrounds at the other . That said , I know many who prefer 35 or 55 for that sort of work where space is restricted to use a lens more traditionally associated with portraiture .
$$$$ony not an option and you have nailed it today sir! Excellent video pointing out the obvious! I might have slipped that 45 1.2 on for a few shots ;-)
Ordered this lens yesterday along with the hood and it will be arriving at my doorstep by this weekend. Can't wait to use it and compare it to my Sony 135mm 2.8 STF lens.
@@robinwong The focusing precision of this lens makes taking portraits really pleasant, sharpness every time! I've had the 75mm 1.8 and the Nokton 42.5 before. I won't go back for the portraits. It is a photo lens that has gone unnoticed on RUclips. I don't know why.
The 75mm and 12mm are on my lens bucket list. So of course I bought the 8-18 when my local camera store had a sale. But I WILL get this lens at some point. Great overview of why this has a such a cool lens. I keep an old Nikon 135mm f/2.8 for similar reasons.
The 75mm will SHOCK a you. I remember looking at the images after the using the Olympus 75mm for the very first time.I looked at all my pro full frame portrait lenses and said NO MORE. IT’S ONE OF these “ aha” moments that we get photography that literally changes EVERYTHING.
Thank you Robin, for your great work. I follow you now at least some years and you have been and still are a absolute amazing and sympathic inspiration. While I had a few big lenses like the 12-100pro or the Pana Leica 100-400 and still have the 40-150 2.8 and I miss the former two for some reason I really do unterstand what you are telling with my own experience led to same conclusions. Honestly it is pretty lovely how we still can move level ups in skills after shooting some years. As I shot some weddings with the 40-150mm and the 25mm 1.2 (almost not used the 12-40 2.8) I really would have loved the 75mm 1.8 instead the Tele-Zoom. I loved the Frames it gave me, but struggled with lights inside church p.e. just for the best possible constant picture quality. So, thanks again for your Sharing and I love that you keep going with mft, I really was a littled afraid, you could let the system down and I enjoy now this awesome system ongoing hopefully with much more from you. :) Thank you, Robin.
I love mine. Focuses fast too. Great for kids sports and a lot easier to handle than a big 300mm or longer. Just think the reach of this lens is 150mm which is almost what my wife gets on her FF with a big heavy 200mm which only does 2.8.
One reason I'm sitting on my gear and haven't jumped to Nikon (until Canon releases the RF line from its lock and key that isn't even an option for me) or Sony is the lens I used the most when out and about, the PanaLeica 12-60, would cost 1000 plus just to replace the lens not even counting the cost of the body to get a 24-120mm. The Nikon S 24-120 is a great lens, but the price and size of the overall kit doesn't really make me want to swap. The a7c almost did tbh, but again 1800 bucks for a body that takes a lot of the parts you would notice immediately from 800-dollar bodies is kind of steep (and the 24-105 is even more expensive than the Nikon, similar used give or take). It doesn't help I was able to snag a collection of PanaLeica lenses from a friend jumping ship (to APS-C lol, he wanted to keep some crop factor while getting the Sony E mount to work with his a7iiis for work, so he got an A6600 and uses it for work and hobby) all in great shape for less than the price of what the Leica 42.5 1.2 goes for on the low end. I like my lenses, I like my GX85 and GX8, I like my results, I'm content.
Other than not being fully weather sealed and a relatively long min focus distance, it’s a remarkable lens. It works well for low light wildlife work from hides and long astrophotography sessions as well.
Fantastic lens that keeps my old em5s alive and fantastic tips too!
Robin, you are one of the smartest and most accurate photography teachers on youtube, thank you and keep it up.
Amen to that!
I second that!! Helped me with my m4/3 camera tremendously.
I was recently loaned one of these, and it's one of the most amazing lenses I've ever used. After a career spanning over 40 years, I discovered M43, but I'd already wrecked my back by then! Now officially retired, I'm enjoying my photography more than ever, thanks to olympus and lumix
I absolutely agree, and am planning on getting this lens soon. Last night I took some amazing pictures of my nephew at a midnight track meet with my 45mm f1.8. The guy next to me had a huge canon setup and was so frustrated with the lighting, I put my Olympus in shutter mode and snapped away. We compared photos and he couldn’t believe that my little sensor took much better photos than his full frame canon. Stick to what works and thanks for the great videos robin. You make me try to be a better photographer
The 45mm f/1.8 is a small telephoto in disguise. So unobtrusive. I took shots at a wedding party with it two weeks ago. Indoors and it worked very well in that situation. Some of the lenses seem to be discounted quite heavily right now. The 75mm 17mm and 25mm f/1.8 as well as the 45mm/1.8 and the old 12-40mm f/2.8 too. I'm wondering if old Olympus branded stock is being offloaded before they change the branding to OM System.
I think we have to thank the 75 mm lens that it preserved Robin for us, to our side of fence, thank God for that!
You are a gem Robin. So enthusiastic and fun. I am so glad you are still giving us Olympus tips.
I just came back to do photography after a 15 years break, i sold my APSC and full frame Nikon and discovered the MFT. I like your videos and your enthusiasm. Keep going!
As always, knowledgable, interesting, and brimming with infectious enthusiasm. Thank you. 🙏
Absolutely true Robin! The lens is amazing! It keeps me in M 4/3 as well! No other lens like it!
I just bought a second hand 75mm about 3 weeks ago. Together with EM5 Mark3, Pro Capture and Aperture mode wide open, I managed to get shots of pigeons taking off in the town of Ipoh and storks gliding over Bandar Tasik Permaisuri, KL. Lens was based on recommendation of your prior video - no regrets at all !
I saw a fellow photographer that day in Permaisuri though. The lens he carried was almost as long as half the length the tripod and he was lugging it around. I get what you meant about heavy gears when shooting, it's not Aperture Priority, not Shutter Priority, it's Health Priority ! 😅
You enthusiasm is just awesome Robin! You remain an excellent source of energy and technical expertise!! OMD has missed out on an immense flow of positive and beneficial influence!!!
Got one of the these packaged in with a Pen-F I bought on discount. Its sat their sealed as I didn't really think it was for me, I even considered selling. My Dad linked me to Robin's RUclips... now I've broken that seal and am going to take this lens with me on holiday very soon. Thanks for your passion Robin!
Absolutely my go-to lens for small stage photography. I recently was able to take great images in a very poorly lit and cramped venue, which I don’t believe I could’ve done with any other lens and camera set-up. I wish the focusing ring had a little more resistance, but I have no complaints about this lens. it is truly a marvel - even so many years after it was introduced.
I crushed a few vertebrae in my back and that’s what drove me to M4/3. People tend to ignore the lens size, especially on the telephoto end, when they compare camera bodies and declare there is no size advantage to M4/3. For someone that likes to photograph birds, that size advantage is huge. Yes, you can probably get a higher resolution full frame, use a shorter lens and crop. But why pay for the larger sensor and glass and for the extra megapixels and glass if you are only going to use a portion of them? Thanks for continuing to show people that there is life beyond full frame. We need to ensure the format survives so folks like us continue to have options.
My problem is that I like all of the formats.😉📸
@@WOLFTICKVIDEOS i do also, but I would prefer an option like a twin lens, square sensored medium format. Something like a digital Rolleiflex or Yashica Mat. It would be great for portraits and landscapes. Too bad they don’t make something like that. I would still use M4/3 for birds or sports. One thing I also noticed is that the m4/3 lenses are sharper than even the Nikon Pro lenses I had in the past. You can never have too many cameras or lenses as a photographer.
75mm f1.8, my favorite lens too. :)
Agree completely! The 75 f/1.8 has some magic going on, thanks for spotlighting it, Robin!
I recently bought a Nikon Z7 and I thought I would ditch my Olympus OM I mark II. However to my surprise I still use my Olympus at least 50% of the time and in particular, the 75 mil 1.8 lens. A truly remarkable lens that produces brilliant results and as you commented, I don’t have to suffer back strain carrying heavy lenses around for the Z7.
I cherish this lens for my black and white photos as well as for street.
Nearly got this lens but went for the Sigma 56 mm F1.4 both are great lenses. Lovely photos Robin
been lusting after this for years, a couple months ago I finally found a mint condition one at a very reasonable price.... and all I can say is it exceed my expectations... love it while I have a fair fortune invested in Canon gear shooting mostly MFT these days due to ongoing cancer treatment leaving me unable to lug about anything other than a Canon FF body and 24-105 lens.... or a MFT camera and 5 lenses
Stunning lens, and the more I watch this, the more I agree. Has nailed every indoor stage shot that I have taken. I share your experience, Robin!
Same here. EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS. I’ve used Various camera systems ( Leica and MEDIUM Format) in combination with pro lenses. For professional work. THIS LENS is by far the SHARPEST LENS I’VE EVER USED. ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!
On the strength of this video I bought this lens, what a game changer, soooo sharp, I love it.
This lens is so pleasing both in IQ but also in how it feels. I used to own one of those big 70-200 2.8 (Nikon DSLR) and it produced beautiful images but it was way too big to carry around and cost way too much money (then it broke and cost me another huge chunk of money). I am so happy to have switched to Olympus and that switched was totally influenced by you. Thank you! Keep up the great work!
Even though gear does not matter, this lens makes any photographer better. My favorite Olympus lens.
I did have people gushing over my Olympus 75mm photos unlike any other lens I used. The contrast between the butter smooth out-of-focus backgrounds and ultra sharp focus on the subject, really give the images a 3D look.
Well done robin you made the right choice. I have a Nikon d700 full frame it kills me to Carry around and I'm only 48. My omd em5 in mkiii is a joy to use . Light good lens like the 75mm are the way to go.
I was so excited about this lens but for $900 US, I couldn't buy it immediately but heard so many good things. A couple months ago OM did a lens discount on some of their lenses and the 75mm 1.8 dropped down to $600 and had to get it cause I didn't know if they were going to do a discount like this again! I'm living abroad and because this was from the North American market, it could only ship to U.S. so I'm really looking forward to going back to the states to use it and do pet portraits! Great video, Robin!
I wonder if they are clearing the existing Olympus branded stock. Price has dropped at a time of rampant inflation. It's a little strange. I grabbed one brand new for under 500 GBP just last week. Plus the "old" first version of the 12-40mm f/2.8 is discounted quite heavily and it's not old really. It's only just been updated to the Mark ii. Other lenses have been marked down too, like the 60mm f/2.8 Macro.
@@davebellamy4867 That’s what I was thinking, they only promoted this sales through email so it seemed to me they are trying to cash out on theses lenses. Cause they had the $300 off the 75mm 1.8 twice within two months within each other. Some people were hoping to update the 1.8 lenses into a version 2.0. Hopefully they still have silver options
The 75mm 1.8 is my favorite lens of all. It’s so beautiful. I often find myself lingering in the viewfinder just enjoying the beauty and perfection of the frame. I really, really, really love my 60mm macro lens and have so much fun with it but, if I had to choose only one lens to shoot with, it would definitely be the 75mm.
Robin，I love your passionate explanation. It was your article from many years ago that made me get this lens, and I'm still using it. It has captured countless wonderful photos of me and my family, and because of it, I will always stay with the M43 system. Thank you so much!
YES, agreed! One of the best lenses EVER made! Right on!
This was one of the first lenses I tried when I started using Olympus great. I used it extensively for my trips to Thailand and Cambodia back then, it's an absolutely fantastic lens...
It's funny how some FF guys say, 135 f/2 is not enough, we need 135 f/1.8 even 1.4, bright as much as possible...
Oly 75mm it's such a gem, small, portable, light and very very good, it has so pleasing aesthetics...
Often I use 40-150 f/2.8 PRO for convenience, but 75mm is in a league of its own.
If they're making a Mark II version just please add weather sealing, manual clutch and coating on the front lens, everything else is perfect at the moment!
Best lens in m43 lineup, period
Hi Robin
I love your enthusiasm for photography and micro 4/3. I too have considered full frame but cannot justify the extra size, weight and cost. I believe that as sensor technology gets better and better, the issues of smaller sensors will become less and less of a problem.
Best wishes.
Paul
I get more keepers with this lens than any other of my 4/3 lenses. Has a little magic to it.
Holy crap Robin, those shots of the band look fantastic!
Thank you, Robin, for reminding me of how much I love shooting events with this lens! It's truly a gem.
Best portrait lens ever... if you have the space.
Definitely agree. This lens is pretty much a must-have if you're trying to do any serious low-light event work with m43. It's been essential for me for the last few years.
Thank you for inspiring us. I learned a new perspective to taking photos. It's about the moment, not the lowest iso used.
Hi Robin, i just got the 75mm... it is truely a gem. First portraits i made with it are immediately winners. You have to have it in your quiver... :-)
The 75mm f/1.8 is my all-time favourite lens. It's magical, it feels like the lens is doing the composition for me!
thanks for this video. you just described why this lens is so perfect. Instead of music gigs I often fotograph other events. Knowing to keep the necessary distance and to be still close enough because of the fact, to hold a tele lens in hand, is a big benefit. And man, this lens is sharp!!!
Ironic that I shot an event about an hour ago with this lens. The images it delivers are amazing! Thank you Robin.
Fantastic videos as usual.
I have and still use my original Zuiko 4/3 50mm f/2.0 Macro lens with an m4/3 adapter on my micro 4/3 cameras. This lens is slightly somewhat large by today's m4/3 standards, but it's still one of the sharpest and most perfect lenses I've ever owned. If you read any legitimate review of this lens, you will see what I am saying is completely true. I paid $399 for it somewhere around 2009 (on sale from $499) and I will never part with it. It truly is essentially a perfect lens with all aberrations and/or distortions totally corrected by its original design.
I mention this for those photographers who have never had the opportunity to use a virtually perfect lens. If you can find one still in excellent condition, I would strongly suggest you buy it. I guarantee it will amaze it you as an alternative to the fine m.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8 lens, but they are definitely in two different categories, the 50mm Macro falling into the simply "incredible" category.
I've seen them for sale on eBay from $300 to about $600, and if you can find one in excellent condition, I guarantee you will not be disappointed - it's simply such an awesome lens for portraits, Macro and short telephoto images. As you can see, I'm still in love with mine even after all the years I've had it!
It is my favourite lens really. Not versatile, but for the right uses, it is absolutely perfect. It doesn't hurt that it looks so classy with the compact size and huge front element :)
The fact the thing looks and feels so awesome makes me want to use it and find ways to use it. Got one last week, took it out in the garden, sent the photos to a friend and he just said wow.
The old Olympus 85mm f/2 and 100mm f/2 lenses were drop dead gorgeous but this 75mm f/1.8 is off the scale. One weird thing is that the old 85mm f/2 is even smaller, has only a 49mm filter thread and fits in the old Olympus standard camera cases! This shows how ahead of their time the Olympus designers were in the 1980s.
I'm still a 43 user for the 75mm f1.8 and the 12-100mm F4, those lenses are amazing.
You are an inspiration Robin. Thank you and keep it up
I’m with you. The fast, super-high-quality prime lenses for MFT negate nearly every advantage of FF. And being able to get the depth of field you need at f1.8 is a huge advantage in low light. Long live MFT!
Shallow depth of field in normal and wide angle shots is the main reason we choose FF. You can achieve this telephoto bokeh regardless of the sensor size, including 1 inch.
It's a double edged sword. If you want LESS depth of field to blur the background and isolate the subject FF obviously wins, if you want MORE depth of field in order to help nail your shot better then MFT has an advantage there. Theoretically. There's no free lunch in photography, everything's a tradeoff.
@@ryankwan1934 yep. telephoto shots is the area where smaller sensor shines. To exaggerate my point: imagine something equivalent to FF's 150-600 on medium format world. Bigger image sensor = bigger lens, we can't avoid physics.
@@sheldonspock5566 for sure. I find the fast MFT primes give me adequately shallow DOF when I want it, too. But, it takes a little different technique and planning of the shot.
The Oly 75mm f/1.8 has always been awesome. The focal length isn't for everyone and I hardly used mine. But it is a great lens.
Wow, this is a great analysis.
Give me the 15, 42.5, and 75 and it doesn’t matter what FF does, these three deliver beautiful images every time at a price and weight unmatched.
I think Robin likes this lens.....so do I !
I sold my 75mm and felt regret. I will buy it back soon.
Couldn't agree with you more Robin.. Even the great M43 detractor Tony Northrup said he used a 75 1.8 over a Full frame in the mid 2010s. I remember saving to buy a Nikon Mount 135mm 1.8 in the 70s ..it was 4 times larger than this lens. I have regretted not buying the Olympus instead of buying things like gimballs and external recorders that I almost never use. Originally, I was trying to get the insanely expensive 42.5mm 1.2 Pana Leica, but just couldn't justify the cost. Then I got caught up in the bokeh hoopla and got the Sigma 56mm 1.4 for the bigger aperture. The Sigma has never let me down for sharpness,, but nothing matches the Olympus colors. A true perfect lens.
I have been considering getting that Sigma 56/1.4 to complement my 75/1.8. Does it just not have quite the same "pop" and magic as the 75?
@@seth094978 Hi Seth.. that would be really hard for me to judge since I only had a bit of contact with the 75 mm. No side by side comparisons. I will say that the color on the 56 Sigma is fantastic and I've never been let down by the sharpness that I can tell. Also if you are in say a standard house sized room trying to do portraits the 75 might be too long.. but if you do things like Robin does where he shoots stage presentations the extra telephoto could be an advantage. Keep in mind it's 150 mm equivalent in full frame.
Thank you Robin. I've just invested in the OM-D E-5 Mark III, mainly for it's stabilisation and phase autofocus. Now looking at this lens as I'm taking photos for my niece's wedding soon and will mainly be shooting indoors and discreetly.
Agree 100%. MFT is the maximum size for a versatile system that can go anywhere, anytime, in all conditions.
Now, Robin, someday, please show us what you do in post to overcome the shortcomings of MFT.
Great pictures! Thanks for sharing!
Nice emotions, Robin. Thank`s
Valid points many good tips, thank you!
Great vidoes, thank you for your enthousiasm!
I use the 75 on a Pen E-PL8. Great looking combo with very nice results!
Yes, it’s a gem! I completely agree with your thoughts on this lens! After renting one, I was hooked ! Frankly, it mounts & works beautifully on my Pen-f as well as the larger bodies. As a geezer, the extra focal length & compact nature of the lens is very convenient. Consider school performance venues & ice rinks etc where grandchildren play & compete, and lighting can be tricky, and the M43 combo really shines! Nice concert photos and good tips, Robin! Thx!
❤ your tips. You're amazing.
I used to use this so much until I bought the 45 f1.2, now it stays on my camera most the time and I zoom with my feet. 75 still has its place, but the 45 just adds another level of beauty to photos :-)
You zoom with your feet, LOL.
With you… stunning lens.. my favourite!
Dang it Robin! You are going to get everyone buying these on Ebay, and I was trying to get a good deal.😆 Such a good and enthusiastic review though👌. Thank You👍
Your burst of explosive energy and enthusiasm in your videos never seizes to amuse me :D I'm all for small, light and compact myself, so I stick to the m4/3 system. I had a big bulky FF camera once and was sitting on a shelf collecting dust, so I sold it. Also, what you say about moment vs iso, iq etc is SO TURE! I have university photos of VGA resolution taken from nokia phones of the 2000-2005 era that still bring a smile on my face when i look at them, because I see past the horrible resolution and re-leave the moments. Unfortunately all this pixel-peeping frenziness you get from everywhere these days has us forget what matters most in a photograph, which is, as you very correctly put it, the moment!
Great vids btw, keep it up!
Maybe I'll get this at some point. For now I'm in love with my 40-150 2.8 - its versatility is unparalleled.
Extra tip: wear ear-plugs. Not just for your hearing sake, but open areas near the stage are usually near the speakers because people without ear plugs cant get comfortably close. But if you have ear-plugs, you can be right next to the speaker with no discomfort, and get some great shots.
Good call! Protect your own health and get better shots. Win win!
Great job Robin! I’m with You .
Didn't stop me from going full frame, but did stop me from offloading all my M43 gear. 75mm is one of 4 lenses I kept and still use on my GX85.
Just took M.Zuiko 75mm F1.8 to studio photoshoot. I pitted it against Lumix Leica Summilux 25mm F1.4 II and M.Zuiko 45mm F1.8.
I used combination of studio lights with two of my Olympus flashes over RC, so there was plenty of light and I could shoot at F2,8 at each lens - when they are the sharpest.
75mm F1.8 definitely took the best shot of the evening :) It was little bit impractical to use it inside for studio work on a tripod.
45mm F1.8 was a great all rounder in this type of work.
25mm F1.4 Was a bit of a disappointment at start, but at the end of photoshoot i realized that it works best when i remove the camera from the tripod.
Been telling myself to sell it because its not used often, but then I take to a studio and the results are always breathtaking.
Nicely done Robin!
I’ve been shooting my friends’ jazz-fusion band in concerts for years, starting w my Canon FF bodies and L lenses. So I know full well about the cumbersome weight AND bulkiness. I sold 90% of it after deciding that Olympus’ MFT was the best system for my new bird and wildlife focus. Now that their band is preparing for their farewell concert in LA, I’m thinking that I should add the 75mm f/1.8 to my bag, because my 40-150 f/2.8 won’t be bright enough. I just bought the 17 f/1.2 and 25 f/1.2 (used) but now you’ve got me sniffing around for the 75.
You are completely right. I own the 75mm 1.8 for some years now and made a lot of amazing shots with it. It's maybe my favourite lens. Nevertheless I notice a small drop in sharpness, comparing f1.8 to f2.0 - at least with my copy of the lens. So I close to f2.0 whenever possible.
I have this lens and it's beautiful indeed. Love it!
Thank you :) Love the passion :)
Why i choose MFT system.. cuz i love this system.. more light and more tiny lens.. love it much 😍😍
This is the best Olympus lens and the only lens that comes close to it is the sigma 60 mm 2.8. Not a 1.8 lens, but a very affordable and very sharp lens as an alternative to the 75mm. There is also a newer Sigma portrait lens with 1.4 and that is a real consideration for MFT cameras .
Lovely review Robin and and an excellent video
I agree that with both lenses at f2.8 the Sigma might even be sharper, but when I got this lens I found I wasn't using the Sigma that much anymore.
@@qfapodcastabouthowardstern
I can understand that . The 60 or 55 sigma are portrait lenses with little advantage for any other use . When I want a portrait lens that does what you classically would do with a lens between 80-135 in 35mm terms delivers , then those sigmas shine ; just as the 75 1.8 .
Of course, you can use 35-60 for portraits as well, but you have to watch the distortion at the wide end and the limitation to blur backgrounds at the other . That said , I know many who prefer 35 or 55 for that sort of work where space is restricted to use a lens more traditionally associated with portraiture .
$$$$ony not an option and you have nailed it today sir! Excellent video pointing out the obvious! I might have slipped that 45 1.2 on for a few shots ;-)
Ordered this lens yesterday along with the hood and it will be arriving at my doorstep by this weekend. Can't wait to use it and compare it to my Sony 135mm 2.8 STF lens.
Dear Robin, If you really want to forget about full frame, try the Nokton 60mm 0.95. Amazing.
No AF, no go.
@@robinwong The focusing precision of this lens makes taking portraits really pleasant, sharpness every time! I've had the 75mm 1.8 and the Nokton 42.5 before. I won't go back for the portraits. It is a photo lens that has gone unnoticed on RUclips. I don't know why.
thanks for the tips on shooting concerts Robin.
A very timely and helpful video. I am going to a concert tomorrow night and hope to be able to take my camera. This will be the lens.
The 75mm and 12mm are on my lens bucket list. So of course I bought the 8-18 when my local camera store had a sale. But I WILL get this lens at some point. Great overview of why this has a such a cool lens. I keep an old Nikon 135mm f/2.8 for similar reasons.
The 75mm will SHOCK a you. I remember looking at the images after the using the Olympus 75mm for the very first time.I looked at all my pro full frame portrait lenses and said NO MORE. IT’S ONE OF these “ aha” moments that we get photography that literally changes EVERYTHING.
Great video and very good points. I love my 75/1.8 lens.
Thank you Robin, for your great work. I follow you now at least some years and you have been and still are a absolute amazing and sympathic inspiration. While I had a few big lenses like the 12-100pro or the Pana Leica 100-400 and still have the 40-150 2.8 and I miss the former two for some reason I really do unterstand what you are telling with my own experience led to same conclusions. Honestly it is pretty lovely how we still can move level ups in skills after shooting some years. As I shot some weddings with the 40-150mm and the 25mm 1.2 (almost not used the 12-40 2.8) I really would have loved the 75mm 1.8 instead the Tele-Zoom. I loved the Frames it gave me, but struggled with lights inside church p.e. just for the best possible constant picture quality. So, thanks again for your Sharing and I love that you keep going with mft, I really was a littled afraid, you could let the system down and I enjoy now this awesome system ongoing hopefully with much more from you. :) Thank you, Robin.
I love mine. Focuses fast too. Great for kids sports and a lot easier to handle than a big 300mm or longer. Just think the reach of this lens is 150mm which is almost what my wife gets on her FF with a big heavy 200mm which only does 2.8.
I just got me the 42.5 1.2 (equiv 85 2.4). I really consider the 75 1.8 (equiv 150 3.6), great pictures!
Equivalent only in Depth of Field!!!!
One reason I'm sitting on my gear and haven't jumped to Nikon (until Canon releases the RF line from its lock and key that isn't even an option for me) or Sony is the lens I used the most when out and about, the PanaLeica 12-60, would cost 1000 plus just to replace the lens not even counting the cost of the body to get a 24-120mm. The Nikon S 24-120 is a great lens, but the price and size of the overall kit doesn't really make me want to swap. The a7c almost did tbh, but again 1800 bucks for a body that takes a lot of the parts you would notice immediately from 800-dollar bodies is kind of steep (and the 24-105 is even more expensive than the Nikon, similar used give or take).
It doesn't help I was able to snag a collection of PanaLeica lenses from a friend jumping ship (to APS-C lol, he wanted to keep some crop factor while getting the Sony E mount to work with his a7iiis for work, so he got an A6600 and uses it for work and hobby) all in great shape for less than the price of what the Leica 42.5 1.2 goes for on the low end. I like my lenses, I like my GX85 and GX8, I like my results, I'm content.
Your enthusiasm is so wonderful!! Thank you for all the great videos for us M4/3 shooters :)
great shots!
Your Olympus photos are great. Modern cameras have great dynamic range these days whether it is crop or 4/3's. Great little lens too
I finally got one this year for 500CAD. This video is so right in everything you said Robin!
This is my favorite lens!
Robin! I just got one of these, this lens should almost be illegal 😂😂 holy moly it's sharp
Got one just last week. It's EPIC.
I definitely need this but at a bargain used price 😂
The 45mm is a great little lens and it makes sense to have this with it
Other than not being fully weather sealed and a relatively long min focus distance, it’s a remarkable lens. It works well for low light wildlife work from hides and long astrophotography sessions as well.
It's a banger. My stage kit is the Olympus 75/1.8 and a PanaLeica Nocticron 42.5/1.2 even though I have MF, FF, and APS-C gear too.