Got a couple of new lenses :)

[AliB]

I decided that it was high time I rationalised my lenses. That might seem a terribly boastful thing to say......"ohhh look at me, I have so many lenses, I don't know what to do with them all!" But that's not the case.

When I started buying my kit almost three years ago I honestly did not know which way my photography would take off and develop.

So initially I bought some kit that I later found that I had little use for. One of those was a longer telephoto. i find now that the 70-200mm is about as long as I need. Hence, it is no more, it has ceased to be.

In it's place I now have a couple of shiny new primes. Much more use to me.

I got an 85mm f1.8 that has been on order since 7th Jan! It finally arrived and I have to say...........I like it! The depth of field and colours are honestly as good as I've seen from some seriously expensive L glass. I've had a play with it here at home and tried it out in some less than ideal lighting (it's amazing how bad some wedding venues can be so our front room in lamplight is not such a bad test area)

The other new acquisition is the 35mm f2. Now I seriously fell in love with the 35mm f1.4 but with the current prices I can't really justify it yet. One day, it will be mine! But for now the f2 will have to deputise. I suppose I've been really spoiled by the f1.4 version (probably the best lens I've ever used) So I'm slightly less impressed by the 35mm f2 on first try.

I think it's one of those lenses that I'm just going to have to get used to. I'll stick it on the camera next week and shoot everything I can with it until I'm more competent with it. It's probably my lack rather than the lens or at least I'll tell myself that until I can afford the f1.4.

Rationalisation has not been too painful and I think I've come out better for it so that's never a bad thing

I can see the 85mm f1.8 getting some serious use just because I like it so much and the 35mm f2 because it's just what I need right now.

 

[fontmoss]

im tempted by 85 fixed but ive plumped for a 50-150 f2.8 for now. 28 on its way and been using a 50 for a while, so we'll see whihc one wins out and gets a sexy replacement

 

[StewartR]

Ali, you might be fortunate that you didn't try the 85mm f/1.2 as well as the 35mm f/1.4. The 85mm f/1.8 is a good lens, sure, and excellent value for money, but the f/1.2 has the biggest WOW factor I've ever seen.

 

[DiddyDave]

I did the same process Ali - found loads of bits of seriously underused 'amateur' kit (by which I mean that I'd use for non-paying jobs) and decided to sell the lot to fund some more 'Pro' use gear

Effectively then, I 'swapped' it for...

10.5mm fisheye
85mm f1.8
Skyports & accessories

Or in other words, about £900 of gear 'free' - well that's how I lke to look at it anyway

DD

 

[MJ Stebbings]

Skyports & accessories

I read that as Sky Sports

I'm looking to upgrade my lens collecting to L glass asap.
I'm after a 70-200 F4L and a 17-40L HOPEFULLY before my honeymoon (Lets see if i can get that past the misses) and will be scouring the 2nd hand market to find good used ones as current new prices are well out of my reach.

I will hopefully be upgrading the 24-70 F2.8 to the L series too. I really like the Sigma version and its really sharp, but the lure of the Canon one is too much and have heard its one of the best lenses in the Canon Range.

Ill eventually upgrade the 70-200 to the F2.8 but i think i might be asking a bit much next year perhaps. I also want a 1d series body once the initial 3 lenses have been purchased (70-200 F4L, 17-40 F4L and the 24-70 F2.8L) and a home studio set up.