Going Prime
Lately, I’ve been getting less and less impressed with my camera. No, not the “spy cam” (my second Nikon Coolpix S10, I loved the first one so much) – I’m always amazed at how well it does for an inexpensive “point-and-shoot”. But the Canon Rebel XTi I picked up 5 or so years ago just hasn’t been wowing me lately. I am constantly having to adjust photos before posting/printing them – especially the sharpness of images – and I look at the photos that friends and other bloggers are taking and I, well… I get a little jealous. Granted, the Rebel is at the “entry level” of the amateur range, and it was picked up at Costco, complete with a zoom lens, for under a thousand dollars… so, for what it is, it has done pretty well for me.
But. I think the time has come to move on. Any way I look at it, photography is a vital part of my life. Yes, I can balk at the cost of a mid-range camera outfit, arguing that photography “is just a hobby”, and “it’s the eye, not the equipment, that really counts”. Still. That doesn’t stop me from wanting to get even better at what it is that I do. That which I love. That which I create with. So. When the opportunity arose for me to try out some “better” equipment, I jumped at the chance. Here are some of the results.
First, I borrowed my friend Rob’s 50mm f1.4 prime lens. I haven’t shot with a prime lens since I was taking photography in University with an “old fashioned” film camera, so it was a bit of a brain adjustment. I started taking a few snaps around my yard – some with my usual 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 zoom, and others with Rob’s prime.
Top: zoom lens, bottom: prime lens.
Top: zoom lens, bottom: prime lens.
As you can see, because the prime lens can offer lower f-stops, you can get a much nicer focus/blur with it. You can really zero-in on what it is that you want to concentrate on.
Prime lens – left: focus on foreground, right: focus on background.
After I had gotten some chores done and had gotten rid of the kids for a few hours, I took the lens out for a spin… (I have refrained from my usual Pixlr-o-matic editing obsession so you can get a better idea of what the lens can really do.)
And, because Rob is so terribly fond of the wistful self-portrait… 😉
A few days later, I was lucky enough to shoot with my friend Mile’s 40D + a nice macro lens. It. Was. Awesome!!! Although, I haven’t had a chance to actually look at the photos (she took the camera home with her, and then proceeded to get a nasty cold), the experience was pretty fantastic. The camera+lens just purred along, focusing and handling like a dream. I think it was in the middle of that cattle farm at sunset that I decided “Yes. I need to upgrade.” Maybe not to the prohibitively expensive “professional” realms, but somewhere mid-range would be nice. And so, with the help of my friend Keith, I am now looking out for a deal on a used 60D + lens outfit and saving my pennies. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Anyhow. Just thought I’d share. Have a great weekend, y’all!
