Gan Sacher

 Canon 50mm 1.8

Thoughts about equipment

I'm about 18 months into my photography hobby. My initial gear was a canon t2i + 18-135 kit. I then purchased the 50mm 1.8 "nifty fifty". This exposed me to the world of fast primes.

Since then, I purchased mostly primes, as sort of a trial and error, figuring I could sell the ones I don't like / need. I have accumulated the Canon 60mm EF-S macro/  35mm L 1.4, Samyang 14mm 2.8 / 85mm 1.4 MF lenses. Someone gave me the Voigtlander 20mm f/3.5 color skopar MF lens.

As a walk around lens, I purchased the Tamron 17-50 2.8 (non VC version)

Somewhere along the way I also purchased the Canon 50mm 1.4 as an upgrade to the nifty fifty.

Since I'm on a crop sensor - so my focal length needs are:

14mm = like a 24mm

20mm = like a 35mm

35mm l= like a 50mm

50mm = like an 80mm

60mm = like a 100mm

85mm = like a 135mm

Now that I am 18 months wiser, i can make the following comments:

• Each lens has a specific "look". There are no "bad" modern lenses.
• In general - each piece of photographic equipment has strengths and weaknesses, regardless of its price tag, there is no such thing as perfect or "the best" equipment.
• With a little skill and patience, you can produce excellent photo's with most modern cameras/lenses.
• Good people photo's have more to do with understanding light and composition, then with the equipment.
• I would say, that the ingredients for top photos is, 15% equipment, and 85% skill and imagination.
• Ergonomics of the equipment, weight, and convenience, for me are just as important as the photo quality. I find that heavy lenses, like the 35L, just get less use.

Basically, this all boils down to saying, that skill, imagination, and lots of practice, are what is going to move me forward.

Yitzchok Elchonon

Samyang 85mm 1.4

Horav Meir Fadida

Canon 50mm 1.4 @f/2

Afternoon Walk

Voigtlander 20mm - The same building - different angles and lighting.

Thoughts on PP (Post Processing)

PP is what happens after the "click". It takes the in camera "photograph" and turns it into a "picture".

It seems, that everyone does it today. From wedding photographers, to nature, to fashion, and everything else in between.

There are entire software packages - offering instant transformation of portraits - to stunning images.

Where do you draw the line ? Where does it stop to be photography and start to be digital art ?

Does all digital photography require some level of PP to make minor adjustments ?

The explosion of PP - primarily comes as an extension of digital photography offering everyone the unique privilege of owning a "digital dark room". An option available to very few in the film days of old.

Any simple PC can easily edit images with online free software. It is just soooo... tempting.

Professionals do this for their clients, (they are paying and we need to deliver the best) and all the rest of us follow suit. You can't tell looking at an image if you are admiring photography skills, or Photoshop skills.

20mm Shots

City Center - PP in Picasa

This shot had extensive PP in Picasa

Eli Chaim Candy Store

Voigtlander 20mm

Notice the sharpness and 3d look!