Why I Don't Like Olympus 17mm F1.8? #ROBINSPEAKS 011

This channel has just hit 60k subs! Thank you all for the love, support and generosity all this while, I truly appreciate each and every one of you for being here! I continue my video podcast series #robinspeaks and this time I am answering some questions from my recent videos!
0:00 Intro
0:53 Robinspeaks Continues
1:39 Why I Dislike 17mm F1.8
5:42 Why Only Canon Sony
8:19 Carrying Multiple Camera Bodies
9:59 15mm Purple Fringing
10:52 Olympus Kicked You
12:15 Color Balance
13:07 Post-Processing
14:15 Tripod Recommendations
16:12 Conclusions/END

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[nathanmeyer]

Gotta say, the Olympus 17 1.8 is my favorite, but never warmed to the 25 1.8 plastic build quality. Personal feeling, both take great photos

[lephotographinc]

Congratulations on 60, 000 subscribers. YOU ABSOLUTELY DESERVE IT. AWESOME CONTENT.

[mattisulanto]

I used to own the Oly 17mm F1.8 and while I never probably loved it, I made some of my best photos on it. Great to see (hear) you speak out again😀 Who knows, maybe we'll get to shoot together again soon...

[ThatMicroGuy]

Hi Robin.

Well, this is why I enjoy people like yourself, you are happy to say what you really think, something I always try to do in my videos. On this one I’m the polar opposite to you in the Olympus 17mm f1.8, I adore it, it’s my favourite M43 prime. I’ve said that many times on my channel.

So who’s right and who’s wrong? Well, we both are. And that’s good and how it should be.

Yes, we can disagree on social media but no trolling or nastiness and I’m really happy at that. I love hearing peoples reasons on why they see something different to me and you always give reasoned arguments.

Keep making your videos, keep giving your honest opinions and I’ll keep watching. Sometimes I’ll agree, sometimes I’ll disagree but I’ll always respect and appreciate your views.

Brian James

[Marty]

I suppose it really depends on personal preference. I own both the 17mm f/1.8 and 25mm f/1.8 (as well as the 12mm f/2.0. 14mm f/2.5, 45mm f/1.8 and 75mm f/1.8) and the 17mm is my most used prime lens. I hardly ever use my 25mm f/1.8, even though it is also a very good lens. I just find that 17mm is the best focal length for general photography, and covers everything from landscapes, to group portraits, and even can be used for architectural interiors.

[mikejankowski]

Great post. The variety of topics was nice, and you did justice to all the questions and comments. I particularly like seeing the black wall again, nicely lit and with your contrasting red shirt. Very cool.

[sweeperdave]

I shot full-frame going back to the 1970 film days and then digital right on up to last year and avoided the 35mm focal length. I also shot APS-C and avoided 20mm (35mm equivalent full-frame). I just didn't like the perspective for my style of shooting. Then I started using the 17mm f/1.8 on my Olympus MFT cameras and have a great relationship with it. It's the lens I have on when I'm shooting early morning and evening travel images. Low-light performance is decent and the perspective has me wondering why I avoided the focal length on larger sensor cameras. I think if someone forced me to choose one prime lens for a travel shoot on my Olympus cameras, I'd pick the 17mm - I enjoy using it that much.

[RoderickJMacdonald]

Congratulations on 60! This mile stone is particularly remarkable because all the subscribers are interested in photography and are not gearheads.

[jaher]

Congratulations!
I follow you from Spain with the translator activated and even though you speak very fast,
I prefer it that way since the duration of the video is perfect for me.


Cheers!

[domtomazo]

My "perfect trio" for travel is the three premium Olympus lenses -> 12/2, 17/1.8 and 75/1.8. I like the 17/1.8 a alot, but that is also my favorite allround focal length. My main issue is that bokeh can be a bit ugly sometimes, i have noticed it especially indoor shooting across a table (quite close focusing). It can get a "double bokeh" that can make you a bit dizzy looking too much at it :)

[Kopetefish]

To me the 17mm F1.8 is an almost perfect MFT lens except for the lack of weather sealing. The size, build quality (MF clutch!) and image quality are pretty good.
I just wish they would give us a 20mm F2 or even F2.8 that is the same size as the 17mm.

[TheNarrowbandChannel]

Good to see Robinspeaks is back. I liked it. Especially since I can just listen to it at work.

[anthonygarbo]

Great video and content as always. . . . thanks for your input and recommendations.

[davebellamy]

I really like it! Tiny. Completely in the spirit of micro four thirds. All metal except for the glass🤣. Great build quality. Manual focus clutch. Great look. Very discreet. Great feel on the camera, especially the smaller bodies. Useful focal length.

[kevinseddon]

Congrats on 60k Robin, been following you for years and still love the content..

[davebellamy]

12:15 Wow that was a surprise! Cheers for answering my question! Plus Ginge made an appearance on your channel.😊😊😊
Congratulations on 60k subscribers!

[Jonathan-hulk]

My main issue with this lens is the close focusing distance isn’t close enough. However, the majority of my photos over the last few years have been taken with this lens, so clearly it has served me well. Although, I recently picked up a very cheap, secondhand eos m5 and 22mm f2 lens. Now it’s a massive shame Canon won’t be making anymore eos m lenses, or bodies because I freaking love this lens. It’s small, sharp, quick to focus, great close focusing distance and just blooming fantastic. I’d say superior to the Olympus 17mm f1.8 (both lenses being roughly equivalent to 35mm on full frame)

[Lordvader]

Ok as for returns or repairs for used equipment MPB offers a fantastic return replacement service if there is an issue. I got a 7-14 from them. It had an issue they send me another and also refunded me the difference in the quality rating. It was like new and the new one was listed as excellent. So used with MPB is the best.

[asterix]

I think the thing that bothers you is the distortion and correction that happens at such small focal lengths. There's less of that in an APS-C, because the lens is 23-24mm (resulting in 35mm eq) and less correction is needed.

I love the results of 17mm f1.8.
The reason I like it over Fuji X100 is
1. Better Bokeh from f1.8.
2. improved usability of Olympus, better focusing
3. In camera Stabilization, so I never have to use flash.

[DeMorcan]

I had the same reaction to the 17/1.8. Just never liked the look. And now the 17/1.2 is my favorite lens. I like that you use and discuss different cameras. I had a job photographing basketball that I could not do with m43, so I rented then bought a Canon. I do not believe there is a best camera. I do believe there is a best camera for me and how I want to use it for the photos I want to take. And that might change from day to say as I want to do something else. I did use your affiliate link to buy one of the new Olympus lenses you reviewed. (I can't always buy coffee). Not sure why anyone would think you had quit Olympus.