Focal length question... 35 and 50 necessary?

Started 4 months ago | Discussion thread
tedolf
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In reply to richarddd, 4 months ago

richarddd wrote:

tedolf wrote:

richarddd wrote:

tedolf wrote:

zkz5 wrote:

I never understand these "what lens should I buy" questions. It's like asking "what should I eat for dinner?". "necessary" doesn't really make any sense. When you shoot the 25 do you find yourself wanting a wider view? Shoot the kit zoom. What focal lengths do you use? You tell yourself if the 17 is necessary.

I am baffled by these questions but only somewhat.

I suspect that the OP, like others who ask this question really have no idea what they want to shoot, and more basically what it is they want a photograph to say.

As a result, they have no idea what focal lenght to use for a given scene and thus no idea what lenses to own.

So, what really baffles me is why are people buying very expensive equipment when they don't have a clue what they want to do with it?

It is like equiping a complete woodworking shop and then saying, "hmmmmm.........I wonder what I should build? "

To be more specific, if the OP knew he wanted to shoot head and shoulders portiats or that he wanted to shoot environmental portraits he would (should) know exacly what focal lenght he would need and whether or not the current lens he has is adequate.

Tedolph

It does seem possible to give a useful answer to these general sorts of questions

Reply by asking what sort of pictures they want to take.

he should be asking himslef that question first.

If he doesn't know, and I suspect he doesn't, he really needs to figure that out before he takes any photo with any gear.

Maybe he has an idea, but didn't mention it in his first post.

If the answer is vague, recommend a kit zoom, with the advice to keep track of what they use the most or feel is the most lacking. zkz5 manages to say this, but not in the most user friendly manner

Yes, but it doesn't encourage the OP to ask himself the more important basic question, "why am I taking photographs at all? What am I trying to achieve?"

Perhaps the best way to focus someone on those questions is to ask them explicity

If the answer is specific enough, then give a more specific answer. For example, if someone says they want to shoot portraits with limited DOF, recommend the Oly 45/1.8 or a similar legacy lens.

Trust me, you will not even get that far.

Look at his complete lack of response.

Given the tone of some of the replies, I'm not surprised

He doesn't have a clue becuse he hasn't even thought about it.

With practice (and guidance from other forum members), some here could probably learn to do this without insulting the person asking the question.

I really don't think he was insulted.

Someone just asked him a question-which by definition can not be insulting unless it is a leading question.

Bob's characterization of the tone as condescending and sarcastic is apt.

People buy expensive equipment because they think it will help produce a better product

But we know generally speaking that is an absolute fallacy, right?

Yes, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen

and because they think they'll learn better using it.

My contention is that it will impead learning compared to a less complex, but competent camera.

People would be better of learning the art and craft of photography than obsessing over the ultimate in sharpness, dynamic range and low light performance. "What am I trying to say", "why do I think this scene is compelling", "how can I engage the viewer" are better questions to ask oneself than, e.g., "will I get too much diffraction at f/11".

Well, it seems then we are in complete agreement?

Almost every camera has modes that will let you ignore the complexity if you want to. How much harder is it to shoot an E-M5 in iauto mode than a point and shoot in its programmed mode?

Well, here we differ.

I see a lot of threads here with OM-d owners, even former/current dLSR owners being "stumped" by the operation of the camera.

I specifically remember one Canon  FF owner calling use of the OM-d an "exercise in frustration".

Even the humble E-pl1 is challengingly complex in all the settings that are available.

Even on i-Auto, you still need to know something about shutter speeds and motion, aperture and DOF, white balance, etc. just to get photo's that you expect.

Well, I suppose with Live Guide (the slider thingies) or whatever it is called maybe not.

Tedolph

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