Zuiko 18mm: Wide angle, wide-eyed

[shadowfox]

Hi all,

My OM kit has just been expanded by an 18mm/3.5 Zuiko, here with my OM-1n:

Due to my time constraint, sometimes I have to cram two or more things new to try in one opportunity. This time, it's my first time using the 18mm lens, first time push-developing, and first time using the Arista film brand.

As the test roll for this lens, I took it to a local summer music concert at a local park near where I live. I've gone to this venue (good music, btw) several times last year but I've always turned off by the darkness, I am not a fan of flash, plus blinding people while they are dancing and having a good time is probably not a good idea anyways 🙂

So, this year, since I can soup my own B&W, I decided to ... push!

Loaded the Arista.edu 400, pray that f3.5 is enough to pick up something... anything, I went for it, here's a couple pics:

FYI, I use the Clayton F76+ developer, diluted to 1+19 instead of the usual 1+9 strength, and extend the development time by 1.5x (12 min.)

Honestly, I'm excited just to see something on the negatives. But I think I like this film (another first time for me) and it's "pushability" 🙂

As for the lens, it's very sharp, flare resistant, and it's so fun to use. What else would you expect from a Zuiko? 😀

What do y'all think?

 

[oftheherd]

Near 35 years ago I ordered an 18mm Spiratone lens for my Yashica TL Super. I have been in love with that lens ever since. Probably not as good as the Zuiko, but I still like and use it.

Nice photos. Looks like pushing got you what you wanted.

 

[ishpop]

wow, this lense goes for a hefty price due to all the Canon 5D owners wanting the best wide primes for their cams... 🙁

I look forward to seeing some daylight shots. I would love to have one of these for my OM1n...

Where did you find it?

 

[Chris101]

That last one is the one I really like in this set Will. First because I like women's lega and shoes, but secondly, and more to the point, because you got close enough.

 

[shadowfox]

oftheherd: I doubt that the Spiratone would be much worse than the Zuiko. Although its bigger than the Zuiko I believe, the zuiko is tiny, I find it funny to use the 49-77 filter adapter as a hood 🙂

ishpop: Don't forget those 4/3rd cameras, those crazy L1 and E-(whatever) owners are also hunting for this lens... wait, I am one of them 😀

Chris: Thanks for to-the-point comment, I am obviously no street-photog-ninja, but I appreciate a good dynamic close-up of something interesting all the same 😉

 

[Igor.Burshteyn]

Will, congratulation on your new toy 🙂 Now you are confirmed zuikoholic 🙂
I love my 18mm, what I like about it is lack of barrel distortion (hate it in wide shots) but on recent trip to Germany discovered that 16mm fisheye got more use 😉

 

[shadowfox]

Igor! long time no see!
The second shot is very cool! I have been a zuikoholic for a long time, but this lens is something else 😉

 

[newspaperguy]

Great lens, great shots. How nice and compact it looks compared to the 18-35 Viv Series 1 zoom on my OM-2n. I'm jealous on both counts.

 

[shadowfox]

Rick, show us shots from your Viv. Those Series 1 lenses are top notch optically, aren't they?