pagespicsA New Lens for My Wat Paknam Project
Posted on September 2, 2026
The Leica 100 – 400mm Telephoto Zoom.
Last weekend I visited Mega Mall, in Bangkok’s China Town and accidentally purchased a new lens. So without further ado please let me introduce the Panasonic/ Leica 100 – 400mm Telephoto. Having this lens is now providing the opportunity to take photos of the Big Buddha from a long, long way away.
The Mega Mall is famous for having five floors of toys and games and can be found in Bangkok’s China Town. When you get the 5th floor and take a sharp right you will be rewarded with a rather exciting collection of shops selling 35mm film cameras, second hand lenses, tripods, filters ect…. My reason for this visit was to fix my Olympus OM10, but whilst I was there I could not resist hunting for a telephoto lens at a reasonable price.
Panasonic Leica 100 – 400mm Lens
This is NOT a review of the Leica 100-400mm, as I lack the experience with this focal length to provide many meaningful comments. However, I looked at a number of options and what appealed to me is the massive focal length in a relatively compact package. In addition, it cost significantly less than its full-frame competitors. Telephoto lenses are often used by bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Bringing one to a project based in Bangkok means there will be a learning curve ahead. This lens mounts to a Micro Four Thirds camera, the full frame equivalent would be 200 – 800mm, which in layman’s terms means it can capture things that are miles away!
Some of the most striking images I have seen of the Buddha statue at Wat Paknam are captured from a distance. The effect of taking photos from far off is that it creates multiple layers of buildings, bridges, and people splayed out infront of the statue. I could achieve this with the gear I had, but the statue would always appear small and in the distance. This problem is now FIXED! However, getting the photos I want is going to be a challenge.
Learning Curve
The three photos featured in this article were all taken on my first outing with the Leica 100 – 400. Here is what I have learned so far…
- Even though this is one of the lightest lenses in its class, it is still heavy.
- I need a steady hand when zooming in close. Even better, a tripod or mono pod.
- There a buttons on it that I think relate to image stabilization. Maybe I should read the manual.
- I can’t achieve the depth of focus the I can with my prime lenses (minimum fstop is 5.6), although I can ‘cheat’ to some extent. I.e. for the photo above, the background was blurred in photoshop, not in camera. Cheating? Maybe…
- I purchased this lens as I am chasing an image of the Buddha, framed with a glorious sunset. However, just because I now have the perfect lens for the job does not mean the weather will play ball. Looks like 6pm rain ahead for the next 2 – 3 months!
Anything else? Let me know if you have tips and tricks for using telephoto zoom lenses!
Wat Paknam, an ongoing project…
As I edit my pics and look back at the choices made my mind changes about what images I prefer. I am not sure if any of these images will make the final cut. I am also not sure if I like the ‘gun metal grey’ backgrounds that the rainy afternoon provided, although the thick layers of cloud provided a pleasant soft box effect that avoids the harsh reflections the golden metallic surface of the statue can create. Looking outside at the moment and it is pouring, so I think embracing the rain is something I will have to continue doing until Thailand’s rainy season ends.
Take care and keep clicking, Chris.
A Wide Angle Lens For The Big Buddah
Posted on August 28, 2026
@ Wat Paknam
Gear
Every project needs a cover photo, and I think this pic may the one I will use. To capture this photo I stood meters from the base and used a very wide angle lens. My lens choice was the Rokinon 24mm f1.8. This piece of glass has the advantage of being fast and light. I was fortunate to pick it up years ago, second hand at a bargain price. However, it is manual focus and for this reason I took my trusty tripod (and is also the reason it usually stays at home!). Personally I am a big fan of Siriu Tripods, they are a little cheaper than the larger brands, they are made in China, and have an excellent build quality.
Timing
As is so often the case, the best photos are taken at the start or the end of the day. The Buddha faces the East to welcome each morning. I took this photo in the evening, just before sunset. This time is often referred the ‘the blue hour’. There was enough sunshine to still provide a gentle back light giving what I like to think of as an ethereal glow, but perhaps that is me being overly poetic!
To view the full (ongoing) project you can click on this LINK. Next up… I am looking for a Telephoto Zoom to capture the Buddha from afar. The best ones are very expensive, so I am looking a the slightly cheaper options. As always, watch this space.
Take Care and Keep Clicking, Chris
The Bangkok Photography Group
Posted on March 22, 2026
Photo Walk: #144 Prem Prachakon Canal
I have recently stumbled upon the Bangkok Photography Group on Facebook, who organise monthly walks in various corners of Bangkok. Walks are followed by a talk, held somewhere off the main drag of Sukhumvit, which I have yet to attend. Each month there appears to be a magazine produced, showcasing everyone’s images. It is obvious that someone is putting a lot of love and time into Bangkok’s photography scene and I am looking forward to further adventures.
The Canal
Many of Bangkok’s canals are undergoing modernisation. This should make them easier to walk or cycle around. However, I hope the old houses and alleyways are not destroyed in the process. I fear the sky in the photo above has been over-processed and does not sit too well with its reflection in the water. Is the photo a hit or miss? Let me know in the comments.
Gear
This photo shoot started at 8am. This is much later than I like to start my street photography as the sun is very bright and can burn all the detail out of the frame. Shooting in harsh light also requires a fast shutter speed and a small aperture. As I like to shoot wide open, I added a variable ND filter. I feel this has also created quite a pleasing tone to the images. Using ND filters is not something I have done a lot of, particularly for street photography. However, times they are a changing, so who knows.
Environmental Portraits of Lottery Ticket Merchants
Lottery ticket merchants are everywhere in Bangkok and are often seen riding a bicycle. Note to self – take more pictures of these guys (and girls), as it could make a fascinating mini project. Out of the two photos, I prefer the image below. The lady looks lost in a daydream, maybe about one day winning the lottery.
Fish…
As with many countries in Asia, once you enter villages and alleyways, you soon start to see fish, sausages, and meat drying in the heat of the day. These foods are generally laid out in patterns, which make them ideal for photography. This was a very common site in China. Speaking of China my next post MAY be about exploring Bangkok’s Chinatown.
Well, that is me wrapped up for today. Take care and keep clicking, Chris
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