The empty chair - Olympus 75mm F1.8
As the tag line on this site proclaims, Pattaya is an extra-ordinary place. And it is extra-ordinary not because of the surrounding temples or flower gardens or other attractions; it’s extra-ordinary because of the people on the streets.
Anywhere in Thailand has life on the streets; Bangkok is teeming with it. But only Pattaya has the unique mix of normal Thai life, intermingled with abnormal Thai life in the form of street hookers, assorted mafia and Thais of many persuasions drawn here to make a living from the tourist trade. Then there are the foreigners; guys looking for fun, couples and families looking for a beach holiday, and residents trying to live a life in this most strange of cities.
With my wife working, the opportunity to travel has all but disappeared over the last year. I still want to take photographs; but there is only so much you can do with a temple or some flowers; and here is is this weird, wonderful city just waiting to be photographed; what was I waiting for?
Never one to refrain from blaming my equipment, turns out that what I was waiting for was the Olympus 75mm F1.8.
In general, the good-natured Thais don’t mind being photographed. It’s a tourist town and if you point a camera at a beach vendor they will either ignore you or give you a smile. But if you point a camera at a hooker or a pimp, or one of the less desirable characters that frequent the streets; then you could be heading for trouble and a reduction in the number of teeth. Less dangerous, but frustrating, point a camera at a Thai for a candid shot and, if they notice you, you will be rewarded by a huge grin and a V for Victory sign; not exactly what you were hoping to capture. Take the shot above. To me there is a little story you can construct about what the girls are thinking and who is missing from the third chair; all that would have dissolved if the subjects had seen and reacted to the camera.
I do not believe my talents extend as far as describing myself as “a photographer”; especially one who appears so specialised so to be titled “a street photographer”; but those worthy of the name employ a variety of techniques. Some request permission for each photo and will then set up the subject and the location to get the look they want. At the other extreme are those who go out of their way to remain anonymous on the street, capturing life as it happens without interference. Then in the middle there are those who look for neither anonymity or involvement; taking shots when they can and interacting when their subjects spot them. I definitely prefer the anonymous route, partially because I think images without the photographer’s influence are more interesting; but mainly because I have no interest in having my head kicked in.
And that is where the gear comes is important. In theory you can, and probably should, shoot a selection of focal lengths to get different looks in your street photography. Do you want to capture just the face, or a small scene, or a whole street? Each require a different focal length of lens, or a lot of walking to put you in the right place to get the image you are after. A popular focal length is 50mm (25mm on M43); and that will get you shots like this from a metre of so away:
Choose how you want to die - Summilux 25mm
But how many shots like this can you count on before you need a little trip to the hospital? And some replacement gear.
Next size up for me is 90mm (45mm on M43). More anonymity; but not enough to be comfortable. See the guy in the middle at the back? He’s on to me.
Strolling - Olympus 45mm
Another option would be to strap on the comparatively large 100-300mm lens and shoot from much further away. Downside of this is that you may be a little further away, but a fat lens on the front of the camera pointed directly at the subject is something of a giveaway; and something that almost got she who must be obeyed a kicking from a ladyboy when she tried it.
Thrown in the towel - Panasonic 100-300mm at 300mm
I tell you what I want, what I really want, I tell you what I want, I want the recently announced Olympus 75mm F1.8. Ideal focal length for what I want to do, and small enough to be inconspicuous.
Here is a shot taken with a 25mm lens:
And here is how much closer you get with a 75mm, taken from the same point:
Two problems with the Olympus 75mm lens. Firstly, it is not widely available. Secondly, my little piggy bank of camera funds is currently depleted so no new gear for me. But when I walked into a camera store in Bangkok on Sunday (just by chance, I wasn’t searching for the lens, honestly officer) and discovered one of the first batch of 40 in the country was sitting on a shelf pleading to be taken home; what could I do…? I did what any feckless, irresponsible gearhead would do, I took out my credit card.
The street dream team
Rhapsody in silver
The lens itself itself is a beautiful amalgamation of metal and glass. It looks well made, it feels well made and it probably is well made; as it should be for something that is more than twice the price of the dinky, but plastic, Olympus 45mm. It feels lighter than you expect and, even on the diminutive GX1, it does not make the whole feel unbalanced. This is maybe because my preferred grip is to cup the lens in my left hand while my right hand is on the camera controls. This lens falls perfectly into my hand, such that it is practically invisible; nobody can spot that you have an effective focal length of 150mm pointing at them.
To test this hypothesis, I took the lens out onto the streets yesterday. It was a liberating experience. In the space of two hours (less an ice cream break), I took 150 photos, mainly just seeing if I could point the camera at people and get a shot without being spotted; and my subterfuge rate was close to 100%. This is exactly the weapon I have been waiting for.
Of course, most of my shots were not interesting, but I had many more keepers than normal, and a few I am quite pleased with. Every 75mm shot in this post was taken in that short space of time yesterday, many more useable shots than I would usually get, and I have not posted all of them.
Image quality? Fantastic. Sharpness, contrast, colour, bokeh all sublime. I don’t think I am getting the best out of it yet in terms of using the correct F stop (depth of field issues), shutter speed (some blurring because shutter speed too low), or post processing. If you want to see what the lens is capable of, visit Robin Wong who is a great street photographer and really put the lens to good use.
Meantime, here are some of my first efforts:
Out onto the street and I chance upon the charming old lady I met previously. She is pleased to see me, even more pleased when I make a donation, and I take her photo at F1.8. Reviewing the shot later confirms that, if you are close to your subject and using F1.8, your depth of field is going to be very small. Her blouse is in and out of focus which is disconcerting, and I would have liked her cheeks in focus as well as her eyes. Will have to go back; give her some more baht, and take her photo again. But apart from that; impressive IQ at F1.8 (no additional sharpening).
Ancient elegance - F1.8
Learning my lesson, the next was at F4.5, to ensure both people were in focus. The second of the two photos is a 100% crop (click to see full size). Pretty much straight out of the camera; clean and crisp.
Cuddled up
The wig maker - F1.8
Waiting for my love - F2
Check my handbag! - F1.8
Flower girls - F2.8
An apple a day makes your face go blue - F1.8
Making up - F2.8
Waiting for short time - F2.8
Checking the takings - F1.8
Hanging out - F2.8
How’s business? - F2.8
Destitute - F2.5
Please buy my fruit - F1.8
After school snack - F2.8
Dog lover - F2.5
Lips - F1.8
Hari Rama - F2.2
Plastics man - F1.8
Prawn - F1.8
Seeking my teeth - F1.8
Focusing M43 lenses on the GX1 is lightning fast; so it was a little surprising to discover that the 75mm wasn’t, or at least not always. If the focus was initially way out from the position required, it seemed to take a few fractions of a second to gird its loins before launching itself into focus mode. Once it was focused in the general area, subsequent shots were back in the “almost instant” range. Will have to let neighbour Nik check and see whether it is much quicker on an Olympus body. Not a big issue though, and the resulting focus in the image was always perfect. Have not tried manual focusing yet; but the focus ring is smooth with no slop; should be a pleasure to focus with.
Update: See some more thoughts on focusing speed here.
After only one day of shooting, I am delighted with this lens. For a 75mm F1.8, it is compact, the construction is excellent and the IQ exemplary. Just wish it was available in black as well as silver for extra stealth, and include a hood for the price please Olympus.
Comments 🔗
2012-08-11| Robin Parmar saysWow, now you’ve gone and done it… I am officially envious. Though the lack of black puts me off as well.
2012-08-11| rogerml says@RP: Buy a small spraycan of black paint. It works oh so nice!
2012-08-11| Bob saysYeah, I hate you. I was really hoping I’d get a great lens before you, but since I’m basically unemployed and living in boring (46C-degree) suburbia, I can’t really justify spending the $800 on the lens. My only consolation is here stock levels are not a problem and the price is lower. So there :-p
2012-08-11| Spanky saysI hate you.
For the others that read this site.
For sale: One gently used liver. In good condition with little signs of wear or use. Has been tested vigorously for its ability to process alcohol. Looking for $800 or an Olympus 75mm 1.8 in trade. Serious offers only.
2012-08-12| Grant saysGive me a price for the liver Spanky, with the cost of cheap Singapore gin in Thailand I really should be carrying a spare… Spike, you’re a bloody good street photographer and too damned modest by half! I know it’s the British way, don’t stand out, don’t show off, but some of your stuff here is very seriously good. Magic lens too, the black one is due out next week…
2012-08-12| Spanky saysThe price is firm at $800 or a 75mm Olympus lens. However, I can only attest to the livers ability to process San Miguel Light and Sam Song. It has not been tested on gin. I just wanted full disclosure and transparency since that seems to be buzz words these days.
Spike is modest but according to Pink Floyd quiet desperation is the English way. I am going by what I heard since I am American and my English culture is limited to Top Gear and Eddie Izzard.
2012-08-12| Spike saysThat make you more cultured than many Englishmen. We all dress like James May, and inside there is an Eddie screaming to be released. Apart from genuinej who is a law unto himself.
2012-08-12| Grant saysWell, obviously your liver is a bargain at that price, especially as it has been only lightly run-in on that weasel’s piss you’ve been drinking. We’ll talk, and I’ll bring my own scalpel in anticipation of a positive outcome which I hope will not need me to resort to the use of a cosh. I’m fairly concerned about the cost of fitting however…
I could never think of Spike as quietly desperate, however modest he is, but I can tell you that Pink Floyd’s dangerous generalisation holds a lot of weight. I’m sure that we shall be able to widen your exposure to English culture in good time, heaven help you if we decide to make it our life’s work!!
2012-08-12| Spanky saysThanks for clearing up the English for me Spike. I know understand English culture in its entirety.
Grant, that is not weasel piss I drink. That is the finest brew ever made.
2012-08-14| Guildford saysThe guy in the middle at the back was on to you! Did he get you and is that why the ‘strolling’ photo is not available? Or is it just a Flickr of a glitch?
2012-08-15| Spike saysThanks for that. No idea why it disappeared but it is back now (I hope).
2012-08-15| Spike says" That is the finest brew ever made". Oh dear; you have much to learn young Spanky. Until a pint of Theakston’s Old Peculier has passed your lips, you have not lived.
2012-08-15| Grant saysThat’s “Peculiar”, but clearly you’ve already sunk the first one…
2012-08-15| Spike saysThat’s Peculier (look it up). But clearly you have no idea about British beer.
2012-08-15| Grant saysThey couldn’t spell it because they’d already sunk the first one, simple really. The good artisans at Messrs Morgan were obviously similarly pissed because every car they have fitted door handles to, and that’s not all of them, have them on the wrong way round. After the Olympics closing ceremony, are we really surprised?
2012-08-15| Spike says“After the Olympics closing ceremony, are we really surprised?” Cheap shot. Watch your manners or we’ll send the boys over; just like we did to crush the New Zealand peasants uprising of 1908.
2012-08-15| Jay saysloved the pics … the hare rama guy seems to be rather interested in someone on the side… :)
2012-08-15| Spike saysAren’t we all? Well, apart from me, obviously.
2012-08-15| Spanky saysDo I need to seperate you two? It’s apparent that I am the only cultured one here. I think it’s because of my beer selection.
2012-08-15| Grant saysYou’re probably right on both counts. I think Spike is getting confused with the Boer War which we went over and gave them a hand with. It was so much fun we then turned up en- masse at Gallipoli with the Aussies only to overhear a British General mention that the battle order was to fight to the last colonial…
2012-08-19| Jack saysGreat to see another M43 user in Pattaya. I would love the Oly 75mm as I agree it is the perfect street shooting distance for avoiding the farang confrontation or the Thai hand extended for baht. Great shots.
2012-08-22| Aktuelle Systemkamera Links (23. August 2012) - Systemkamera Blog says[…] Olympus 75mm f/1,8 – Pattayadays.com zeigt, was Olympus’ oft gelobte Festbrennweite auf der Straße kann. […]