Hands on Review: Neewer 35mm f1.7 with Olympus Pen E-P5
The lens in micro four thirds becomes a FF equivalent 70mm
Neewer 35mm f1.7 means a stunning image quality, a versatile focal length (equivalent to 70mm on MFT cameras), and a price tag that won't break the bank. With that said my test is not what you expect, and I used it making street photography…or I tried to do it, because that is not the focial lenght that I would recommend to use. Maybe is just me, maybe not. Rudy, my cat, would say you that for portraits is an amazing lens, but I was asked to make a portrait on the street and taken by surprise I totally failed, as you can see:
With this out of focus photograph I did have the first response: it is not an easy lens if you are on the street, but this is of course my fault first of all, but I can see also how the prehistoric focus peak of my Olympus Pen E-P5 is not that accurate. Excuses for missing the shot? Maybe. But you could appreciate the fact that I am sharing a failure here.OK, most of street photographers are used to repeat that 99% of street photography is about failure, but how many have the guts to show their failures on the internet? I do it, because I don’t fear anything. And now is time of the video:
While the actual focal length is 35mm, on an MFT sensor, it translates to a versatile 70mm, which is a sweet spot for flattering portraits, street photography, and everyday snapshots. It's wide enough to capture some context, yet tight enough to focus attention on your subject and create beautiful background blur.
Wait…what? Did I say for street photography? Yes, sure…but I don’t believe it that much for my street photography. A parenthesis: have you noticed that every time we talk about color Street Photography, Saul Leiter's admirers pop out like mushrooms after a rainy day? Well they themselves then dispute and do not apply the use of a telephoto lens. I have the idea that to quote Saul Leiter’s work is just like to quote Stephen King when you are not a real book reader, a common place to use to act as an expert. When they don’t…quite the opposite in fact…
OK, let’s back to us and this lens: I think it can work for journalism coverage. I think it can be an asset for your photography equipment if you are interested in portraits. Just don’t fail like I did on the street. The cat saves me.
For street photos as I said on the video, well…you make another kind of photos. And sometimes you can make also interesting shots. Let me share something:
Of course is something that is pretty different from my usual way of working on the street and I have to rethink anything with this lens, but sometimes it can be just cool to get out from the comfort zone and making something you are not used to do.
Am I satisfied or no? I can see opportunities with this lens, not exactly for street shots, but something different. I think can be a great resource for urban landscape, for example. I would have loved to count with this lens when busy with my project AMERICANA. I think a lens like that can have sense in the barrio where the approach changes.
The price guys is a reason to purchase the lens, considering the fact we are talkig about a total metal lens. I think is better builded than the 25mm by 7Artisans: the ring stays where you decided to keep it, and believe me that is not something happening all the time.
