Olympus 45 advice: for portraits only?

Ig7 · #1 September 10th, 2012, 10:34 PM

Trying to deside if I should keep Oly 45 or cell it. I have Pany 12-35, Oly 14-150 as well as Oly 45, which I only used a few times since I bought it. I usually use the camera for walk around general kind of shooting and find myself very limited by the 45 fl but I feel so guilty because it is considered one of holy trinities by everyone. So my question is: besides portraits, when is this lens used by others?
Thanks

krugorg · #2 September 10th, 2012, 10:42 PM

I had the PL45, sold to fund an Olympus 45/1.8, and then recently switched back to the PL45. I was also having a tough time figuring out how to use the 90mm field of view, outside of portraits, which I rarely do, and so the close focus and macro of the PL45 provides a bit more usefulness in the field for me. Not sure if that helps you out at all!

yekimrd · #3 September 10th, 2012, 10:45 PM

I too found myself quite limited by the 45/1.8 do I sold it. It's an excellent lens but at the end of the day, it's all about your shooting style. I have the PL25 for walkaround shooting but used to also people watch with my 75-300.

I suggest you review your photos from your zoom lenses and buy a fast prime for the approximate focal length you use the most. That's how I found out I have a bunch of photos taken at ~75mm and decided the 75/1.8 for my next purchase.

E-M5, O75, PL25, O12, O75-300, P7-14

greenarcher02 · #4 September 10th, 2012, 11:00 PM

I mostly use it on food and people so... yeah, portraits. But it's now my everyday lens.

Ryan · #5 September 10th, 2012, 11:27 PM

My 45 1.8 is my go to lens for everything i dont use the kit lens for at 14mm. I use the 45 for portraits, landscapes etc the sharpness and clarity over the kit lens is stunning, which is why i use it nearly 100% on my om-d. I will make panoramas too if i want a sharp wide view.

Rudi · #6 September 11th, 2012, 02:18 AM

This is a decision only you can make. If you don't find yourself using the 90mm equivalent too often, then sell it. Personally, the 45mm f/1.8 was my favourite

lens! But that's me and what I like. You have to decide for yourself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ig7

So my question is: besides portraits, when is this lens used by others?

Some examples of what I used the lens for:

mattia · #7 September 11th, 2012, 02:39 AM

Basically, portraiture in the broadest sense of the word, mostly outdoor. I actually prefer a slightly longer focal (135mm equivalent) for portraits, but the 90 does OK. It's great for candids, for more compressed landscape shots, but above all it's a people/animals/objects lens. Also good for picking out detail.

If you're not using it, however, trade up for something you will use. I may well get the 75/1.8, and see which of the two I end up using most (I strongly suspect the latter, given that my 135L got a lot more use than my 105/2.8 macro lens for general purpose photography on fullframe, and that the 105/2.8 was a favourite on APS-C crop)

Ig7 · #8 September 11th, 2012, 07:23 AM

Thanks everyone for their input. Will try to spend a day and see if I can adjust to one fl on the camera. Not really a prime shooter here, I am so used to zoom, even if it is 12-35.

Ned · #9 September 11th, 2012, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ig7

Thanks everyone for their input. Will try to spend a day and see if I can adjust to one fl on the camera. Not really a prime shooter here, I am so used to zoom, even if it is 12-35.

Primes aren't meant to limit you to one focal length. They're meant to be used along with other primes. Thus the interchangeable lens system. :)

Even so though, it can be done. Many of us had nothing but a single 50mm in the film days, especially if using a "compact" camera with a fixed lens. If the lens was fixed back in the day, it was a 50mm not a zoom. It's only natural to walk up to your subject or away from it, rather than standing in one place like a lazy modern man. :)

Ig7 · #10 September 11th, 2012, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ned

Primes aren't meant to limit you to one focal length. They're meant to be used along with other primes. Thus the interchangeable lens system. :)

Even so though, it can be done. Many of us had nothing but a single 50mm in the film days, especially if using a "compact" camera with a fixed lens. If the lens was fixed back in the day, it was a 50mm not a zoom. It's only natural to walk up to your subject or away from it, rather than standing in one place like a lazy modern man. :)

More like a lazy modern woman

with a huge bag full of everything but an extra prime

I will just have to get used to swapping the lens depending on where I am and if moving around is not an option. I am relatively new to M43's and the idea of having an option to swap lenses to achieve a specific result.