Go through your copy of The Americans with lens quality in mind. I think the book would not be near as powerful if shot with modern high-end lenses.
John
I think that is overstating things a bit... that's technical stuff and nobody but camera geeks care about that.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Is there such a thing as 'too much quality'?
If no, there is no downside to using the very best lenses.
If yes, well....
But the thing is, 'too much quality' is subjective, and often, you don't need the quality anyway. I used to shoot a lot of 'street' with an 50/3,5 Elmar (when it was all I had). For the last 30 years I've used a 35/1.4 Summilux pre-aspheric.
Both deliver/delivered adequate quality for my purposes, but I prefer faster, wider lenses than f/3.5 and 50mm.
Incidentally I am intrigued by those who don't seem to like focusing, and stick with hyperfocal. I'd find that INCREDIBLY limiting.
A piece on street photography from my site: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps street.html
and a collection of street photos from China: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/sgallery/g street.html
Cheers,
R.
If no, there is no downside to using the very best lenses.
If yes, well....
But the thing is, 'too much quality' is subjective, and often, you don't need the quality anyway. I used to shoot a lot of 'street' with an 50/3,5 Elmar (when it was all I had). For the last 30 years I've used a 35/1.4 Summilux pre-aspheric.
Both deliver/delivered adequate quality for my purposes, but I prefer faster, wider lenses than f/3.5 and 50mm.
Incidentally I am intrigued by those who don't seem to like focusing, and stick with hyperfocal. I'd find that INCREDIBLY limiting.
A piece on street photography from my site: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps street.html
and a collection of street photos from China: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/sgallery/g street.html
Cheers,
R.
kevin m
Veteran
Ya gotta dance with what ya brung ...
When it comes to lenses, I think many of us are serial adulterers on this forum.
cz23
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I think that is overstating things a bit... that's technical stuff and nobody but camera geeks care about that.![]()
Not really. In part, at least, it's the comparatively soft character of older lenses that gives Frank's photographs their expressiveness. Isn't that why so many prefer older lenses?
John
ferider
Veteran
Assume you have two lenses: a Nokton 35/1.2 and a 35/2 Summicron.
Now pick two scenarios:
a) you go on an evening stroll from home for an hour.
b) you travel for a week, somewhere on the other side of the world with one camera, one lens.
Do you pick the same lens in both cases ?
Yes, of course it's the content that counts. However, it's tough to get good content when your gear doesn't work
(for instance, lens starts wobbeling, aperture collapses, etc.).
Now pick two scenarios:
a) you go on an evening stroll from home for an hour.
b) you travel for a week, somewhere on the other side of the world with one camera, one lens.
Do you pick the same lens in both cases ?
Yes, of course it's the content that counts. However, it's tough to get good content when your gear doesn't work
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