PL 25mm: x steps forward, y steps back

[NZ Scott]

I shoot a lot of street, and it's a pain in the ars* fiddling with a lens cap all the time - especially when you've only got a second or two for the shot. I prefer to walk around with a UV filter for protection, or even just go "naked".

Easiest fix: put the bloody lens cap on when you're out and about and not about to take a shot. In my experience, the "rattlesnake" is a complete non-issue that is being blown up by some super sensitive people whose real issue with the lens is probably the price.

 

[Sevventh]

I tried out the 25mm today and it sounded like a machine gun on my EP3, I almost bought it anyways because it is simply amazing. Even taking a picture was much louder thanks to those moving blades.

 

[cameron2]

I tried out the 25mm today and it sounded like a machine gun on my EP3, I almost bought it anyways because it is simply amazing. Even taking a picture was much louder thanks to those moving blades.

Weird. I wonder if it's just some lenses, or just some lenses on some cameras .. mine has never made a noise!
--
Sent from my iPhone 5

 

[tedolf]

the 50mm equivalent focal lenght is the world's most boring focal lenght.

40mm is close behind but at least it is only the world's second most boring focal lenght.

TEdolph

 

[jennajenna]

the 50mm equivalent focal lenght is the world's most boring focal lenght.

40mm is close behind but at least it is only the world's second most boring focal lenght.

TEdolph

so teddybear, what length do you find most appealing

 

[tyhsu]

I tried out the 25mm today and it sounded like a machine gun on my EP3, I almost bought it anyways because it is simply amazing. Even taking a picture was much louder thanks to those moving blades.

I heard this noise for the very first time, in sunny LA over the Christmas holidays.

I ended up using the AEL (exposure lock) assigned to the "movie" button on my E-PM1 to quiet it down.

That is, as long as I was in half focus, or had the exposure locked, I didn't hear the aperture blades move, but the moment I both released focus and released exposure lock, the blades moved constantly.

This only happened outdoors when it was sunny. When I went indoors or at night, the aperture blades stopped moving.

 

[Louis_Dobson]

It's a "shoot what you see" lens. Good for PJs (who have interesting things going on in front of them), and people recording family moments (bleugh).

For the rest of us, who are trying to get people to see things in a different way, yes, I agree, it is the most boring length possible.

I'm dithering. I have the 12 and 45 (24 and 90), normally the rule of thumb is a to have each doubling: so, 12, 25, 45 (24, 50, 90 - close enough). I ought to have the 25. On the other hand I have almost never shot at that length.

the 50mm equivalent focal lenght is the world's most boring focal lenght.

40mm is close behind but at least it is only the world's second most boring focal lenght.

TEdolph

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/acam
http://thegentlemansnapper.blogspot.com

 

[tedolf]

the 50mm equivalent focal lenght is the world's most boring focal lenght.

40mm is close behind but at least it is only the world's second most boring focal lenght.

TEdolph

so teddybear, what length do you find most appealing

I thought you would never ask!

Hmmmmmm...........

well, let's see.

I have to admit I like the 28mm (all FF equivalent FOV) focal length maybe best(interiors, landscapes) , followed by 80mm for portraits. Then 18mm for wierd stuff.

I have a 90mm lens (180mm FF eqiv. FOV) that I like for outdoor work, and theater work.

those are probably my favorites.

What are yours?

Tedolph

 

[tedolf]

It's a "shoot what you see" lens. Good for PJs (who have interesting things going on in front of them), and people recording family moments (bleugh).

For the rest of us, who are trying to get people to see things in a different way, yes, I agree, it is the most boring length possible.

I think this is one of the keys to interesting photography (other than photo-journalism as you have pointed out) -taking the ordinary and showing it in a slightly extra-ordinary way.

I think that draws people into photo's-to fugure out why it looks different.

Normal focal lenghts can't do that easily.

I'm dithering. I have the 12 and 45 (24 and 90), normally the rule of thumb is a to have each doubling: so, 12, 25, 45 (24, 50, 90 - close enough). I ought to have the 25. On the other hand I have almost never shot at that length.

the 50mm equivalent focal lenght is the world's most boring focal lenght.

40mm is close behind but at least it is only the world's second most boring focal lenght.

TEdolph

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/acam
http://thegentlemansnapper.blogspot.com

Rangefider Man

 

[Louis_Dobson]

(sticking my oar in)

I like to have a 24, which enables me to create sweeping shots without them looking weird, and a 100 (90 is fine) to emphasise the subject, again without making it too obvious.

Then I will throw caution to the wind and have as wide as I can go (14) and as long as I can carry (depends on format) to pull things apart or push them together.

I would give examples, but I think this worth a new thread. Would you care to start it?

the 50mm equivalent focal lenght is the world's most boring focal lenght.

40mm is close behind but at least it is only the world's second most boring focal lenght.

TEdolph

so teddybear, what length do you find most appealing

I thought you would never ask!

Hmmmmmm...........

well, let's see.

I have to admit I like the 28mm (all FF equivalent FOV) focal length maybe best(interiors, landscapes) , followed by 80mm for portraits. Then 18mm for wierd stuff.

I have a 90mm lens (180mm FF eqiv. FOV) that I like for outdoor work, and theater work.

those are probably my favorites.

What are yours?

Tedolph

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/acam
http://thegentlemansnapper.blogspot.com

 

[Bob Meyer]

It's a "shoot what you see" lens. Good for PJs (who have interesting things going on in front of them), and people recording family moments (bleugh).

For the rest of us, who are trying to get people to see things in a different way, yes, I agree, it is the most boring length possible.

Making people see things in a different way is up to the photographer more than the lens. Yes, a different focal length lens can make it more obviously "different", but if you can't capture images with a 50mm (equivalent) lens that show the viewer something new it isn't the lenses fault. Change YOUR point of view to show the viewer something different.

 

[Louis_Dobson]

Yes yes, a good photographer can get great results with a pinhole camera etc, thank you Captain Obvious.

However, when CHOOSING a focal length, your own style will come into it. The 50 is very good at a producing a natural world view - a lens of record. I prefer to show people details they might have missed (for which the 90 -135 range wide open is very good) or else provide sweeping landscapes with glorious skies (which brings in another factor, where you live, and I live by the sea in an area famous for its glorious light), which calls for a 24 or wider.

I shot with a 50 (58 actually) for years - as a boy it was hard enough to buy an SLR, extra lenses were out of the question. However I see no reason to TRY and make things harder for myself, do you?

It's a "shoot what you see" lens. Good for PJs (who have interesting things going on in front of them), and people recording family moments (bleugh).

For the rest of us, who are trying to get people to see things in a different way, yes, I agree, it is the most boring length possible.

Making people see things in a different way is up to the photographer more than the lens. Yes, a different focal length lens can make it more obviously "different", but if you can't capture images with a 50mm (equivalent) lens that show the viewer something new it isn't the lenses fault. Change YOUR point of view to show the viewer something different.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/acam
http://thegentlemansnapper.blogspot.com

 

[453C]

I tried out the 25mm today and it sounded like a machine gun on my EP3, I almost bought it anyways because it is simply amazing. Even taking a picture was much louder thanks to those moving blades.

Having used machine guns and been around rattlesnakes, I really have to wonder how much experience some people have with either.
--
http://453c.smugmug.com/

 

[shoooot]

the 50mm equivalent focal lenght is the world's most boring focal lenght.

40mm is close behind but at least it is only the world's second most boring focal lenght.

TEdolph

 

[shoooot]

The 20mm 1.7 is the best selling lens for m43, someone should post a warning before we are buried in boring photos!

The warning should include the FACT that you can't take interesting landscapes with anything other than a wide angle, or a portrait with anything other than a short telephoto.

Also I have learned on here that primes are too limiting, and zooms are no good either. So now I just walk around with no lens on my camera. Don't have to worry about focus being off, but man, my sensor sure is getting dirty.

 

[tedolf]

the 50mm equivalent focal lenght is the world's most boring focal lenght.

40mm is close behind but at least it is only the world's second most boring focal lenght.

TEdolph

A new appelation to add to my growing list:

Tedolph,

World's Most Boring Photographer (tm)!

 

[cameron2]

The warning should include the FACT that you can't take interesting landscapes with anything other than a wide angle, or a portrait with anything other than a short telephoto.

Exactly!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggXmKPMaHMo
--
Sent from my iPhone 5

 

[ZoranC]

the 50mm equivalent focal lenght is the world's most boring focal lenght.

40mm is close behind but at least it is only the world's second most boring focal lenght.

We went through this before. There is no boring focal lengths, just boring photographs by boring photographers. Your photographs and you belonging into that category doesn't put a blame of focal length of the lens, responsibility for that is solely on you.

Here is what happens when you put "boring focal length" in hands of competent photographer:

http://flickriver.com/search/d700+50mm/interesting/

Eat your heart out.

 

[JosephScha]

Re: " I have learned on here that primes are too limiting, and zooms are no good either. So now I just walk around with no lens on my camera."

So true! Very amusing.

 

[Kevdog]

I just add an ND4 (maybe I should have gotten an ND8) when I know I am going to be shooting a lot outside. The shutter is a bit slower and it seems to limit the 'rattle snaking'. I live in AZ, where there is a LOT of sun so I knew I would be having issues when shooting day outdoors.

I have not used the filter a lot as I just use a differnt lens if I know I will be outside, and since I have the Pany 14mm and the OLY45mm, that normally is not a problem. Just an idea, and it depends on what you like to shoot.

I use the 25mm mostly for low light and have had great success in places like live theater with just stage lights.

Good luck with your decision.

I just picked up a E-PM1 for a steal ($250) and immediately tried it out with the 25mm. I went outside in the AZ sun and yes it does tick. "Tick tick tick" when I move from sunny to shady area. It doesn't bother me at all. It'd be better if it was silent but I won't take the lens off because it isn't.