Zoom and a flash or a fast prime?

[jhunna]

Two of my favorite lenses are the Nikon 24120/4 and the Sony 50GM1.2. Ever since I have become proficient in flash, I am finding that I don't need the light gathering of the f1.2 lens.

I am finding if I go out into the world to shoot, I like having the crutch of the zoom and flash, as I know I have vastly decreased the likelihood of not being prepared for a shot. I also get the advantage of being prepared for a video moment.

Conversely, I like the simplicity, and compositional challenge that comes with a fast prime and using the available light. Most of the time I am using this to shoot portraits, and to make people look good in a natural environment.

Lastly, I find that my GFX100RF and a flash is a pretty good pairing, and something I have with me everyday.

Interested in what you guys like, what you prefer and why.

 

[yardcoyote]

I don't like zooms and won't use a flash, so that leaves me with a fast prime or a high ISO, both of which I can make work for me.

 

[Craig Gillette]

Or the "option" of neither a fast prime nor flash.

Much of the time, my efforts are with subject matter or locations where flash is either not allowed or not practical or not necessary and I tend to be a zoom user. Part of this is evolutionary. We have digital cameras that are are far more sensitive than many films were, and post processing options as well.

 

[a_c_skinner]

Are you outside the range of useable ISO speeds? 6400 seems OK with a bit of denoise. I've used 12500 and got tolerable images. Flash always looks un-natural to me when I use it.

 

[jhunna]

Are you outside the range of useable ISO speeds? 6400 seems OK with a bit of denoise. I've used 12500 and got tolerable images. Flash always looks un-natural to me when I use it.

No I am ok shooting at high isos even 25000 if I know I am going black and white and or some sort of graphic presentation. I generally prefer low iso when shooting people and events, so flash works for me.

Regarding unnatural flash it takes practice to know how much to use. Sometimes you just need a "kiss" of additional light, other times you need to bounce, and then other times you just need to get the shot, so the "natural" look is secondary. I had to become ok with all of these before I relaxed using flash... and my results have improved considerably...

 

[jhunna]

Or the "option" of neither a fast prime nor flash.

Much of the time, my efforts are with subject matter or locations where flash is either not allowed or not practical or not necessary and I tend to be a zoom user. Part of this is evolutionary. We have digital cameras that are are far more sensitive than many films were, and post processing options as well.

I agree with this, and post processing will let you fake a high end zoom.

 

[tclune]

<snip>

... I like having the crutch of the zoom and flash...

<snip>

Interested in what you guys like, what you prefer and why.

I find the notion of photography equipment being a "crutch" bizarre. You don't seem to find the fast aperture a crutch. What makes some equipment a crutch?

For me, I like a fast zoom. The Sigma 50-100 f/1.8 Art is a sheer delight. I don't generally use the fast glass to avoid flash, though. For the most part, I find it gives me better separation between subject and surroundings than slower glass can provide. Of course, if I want good subject separation and am shooting in a darker environment, I may fall back on the crutch of flash...

 

[jhunna]

<snip>

... I like having the crutch of the zoom and flash...

<snip>

Interested in what you guys like, what you prefer and why.

I find the notion of photography equipment being a "crutch" bizarre. You don't seem to find the fast aperture a crutch. What makes some equipment a crutch?

I start from the basics of a pin hole camera where you the basic of just allowing available light in to the recording surface. Everything from there is an addition to help improve the capture and/or give you options in how you capture. I think my take is a bit extreme, but feel most would see the minimum required is prime lens. Zoom helps you adjust the composititon without moving (a crutch) and flash helps you adjust the light beyond the current situation (a crutch). I don't see "crutch" as a pejorative, but as a colorful way of saying addition, modifier, tweak, etc...

For me, I like a fast zoom. The Sigma 50-100 f/1.8 Art is a sheer delight. I don't generally use the fast glass to avoid flash, though. For the most part, I find it gives me better separation between subject and surroundings than slower glass can provide. Of course, if I want good subject separation and am shooting in a darker environment, I may fall back on the crutch of flash...

With a good zoom, you can get the subject seperation, by zooming AND getting closer (I know you know this). So other than a specific rendering, f1.2 offers more light and the advantages that brings to composition.

 

[tclune]

Zoom helps you adjust the composition without moving (a crutch)...

I learned on a 4x5 sheet film camera. I was taught to walk around and find the perspective that I wanted to take the picture from, then go get my equipment and set up for the shot. In those days, I did the framing (which I believe is what you are calling the composition) in the dark room. That was all done with a prime lens. Now, I do the same thing except that I can carry my equipment with me as I plan the shot and the framing is done, at least to a first approximation, by either adjusting the zoom or choosing the focal length of the prime that I'll use. It is certainly less of a hassle to zoom to the crop I am looking for than to swap lenses, but it strikes me as rather extreme to define that convenience as a crutch.

 

[foot]

Two of my favorite lenses are the Nikon 24120/4 and the Sony 50GM1.2. Ever since I have become proficient in flash, I am finding that I don't need the light gathering of the f1.2 lens.

I am finding if I go out into the world to shoot, I like having the crutch of the zoom and flash, as I know I have vastly decreased the likelihood of not being prepared for a shot. I also get the advantage of being prepared for a video moment.

Conversely, I like the simplicity, and compositional challenge that comes with a fast prime and using the available light. Most of the time I am using this to shoot portraits, and to make people look good in a natural environment.

Lastly, I find that my GFX100RF and a flash is a pretty good pairing, and something I have with me everyday.

Interested in what you guys like, what you prefer and why.

to use the 50GM1.2 wide open, you will get a shallow DOF which means focusing will be harder, and not everything in focus (esp for social occasions) so many people end up shooting it stopped down....leading back to the flash !! lol

back in the day I liked the sigma 30/1.4 and got many keepers with it

although with todays sensors having such clean high-iso...

 

[jhunna]

Two of my favorite lenses are the Nikon 24120/4 and the Sony 50GM1.2. Ever since I have become proficient in flash, I am finding that I don't need the light gathering of the f1.2 lens.

I am finding if I go out into the world to shoot, I like having the crutch of the zoom and flash, as I know I have vastly decreased the likelihood of not being prepared for a shot. I also get the advantage of being prepared for a video moment.

Conversely, I like the simplicity, and compositional challenge that comes with a fast prime and using the available light. Most of the time I am using this to shoot portraits, and to make people look good in a natural environment.

Lastly, I find that my GFX100RF and a flash is a pretty good pairing, and something I have with me everyday.

Interested in what you guys like, what you prefer and why.

to use the 50GM1.2 wide open, you will get a shallow DOF which means focusing will be harder, and not everything in focus (esp for social occasions) so many people end up shooting it stopped down....leading back to the flash !! lol

Depends on your distance from your subject, but I get your point. You stand back far enough you can get everyone focused at f1.2. Granted a high MP sensor helps...

back in the day I liked the sigma 30/1.4 and got many keepers with it

although with todays sensors having such clean high-iso...

 

[Klaus dk]

Studio flash, hand-held flash, reflector panel or available ligth combined with fast zoom(s) and/or a fast prime as the situation dictates.

Crutches, wheelchair, bare feet ... the only thing I try to avoid is not getting the shot.

 

[jhunna]

Zoom helps you adjust the composition without moving (a crutch)...

I learned on a 4x5 sheet film camera. I was taught to walk around and find the perspective that I wanted to take the picture from, then go get my equipment and set up for the shot. In those days, I did the framing (which I believe is what you are calling the composition) in the dark room. That was all done with a prime lens. Now, I do the same thing except that I can carry my equipment with me as I plan the shot and the framing is done, at least to a first approximation, by either adjusting the zoom or choosing the focal length of the prime that I'll use. It is certainly less of a hassle to zoom to the crop I am looking for than to swap lenses, but it strikes me as rather extreme to define that convenience as a crutch.

Convenience works for me. I didn't use crutch as a negative, but I see that is how people are receiving it. A was using crutch as a support.

 

[Gato Amarillo]

I almost always go for the flexibility of zoom -- ideally I can choose my position and distance, then frame with the zoom. Less ideally, I get to the best spot I can and hope I have enough zoom range.

When I use flash it's usually to improve the QUALITY of the light, not the quantity. With today's ISOs I can shoot in just about any light where I can see to aim the camera. So flash is mainly for fill or to change the direction or look of the light, not because it's too dark.

Gato

 

[Leonard Migliore]

Most of my current photography is photojournalism, so I use a 24-120 and a flash on my Nikon D750. I do whatever I need to get the picture. I may have even used direct flash once. But I'll bounce flash when I can and use high ISO+ denoise when I can't.

 

[jhunna]

Most of my current photography is photojournalism, so I use a 24-120 and a flash on my Nikon D750. I do whatever I need to get the picture. I may have even used direct flash once. But I'll bounce flash when I can and use high ISO+ denoise when I can't.

This is what I am leaning towards doing... I can't think of any shot/look that I can't get create with my z8/24120f4/v480 flash for most of my everyday shooting.

That leaves wide angle, telephoto, and macro/portrait, for me to play.

 

[jiberlin]

There is an answer missing: 'It depends...'

In some situations, a flash can 'compensate' the smaller aperture of the zoom lens, but in some other situations using a flash is no option.

Personally i do not like using a flash. For me the main reason to use a flash is using it as fill-flash in some situations, like harsh sun & shadows.

 

[Bob A L]

I used to be one of the strongest advocates of insisting that a good auxiliary flash was absolutely necessary and felt it should be a required purchase with any camera one was to buy. But now color me like a refined alcoholic as they say. The newest of cameras at least in the Nikon camp have put my flash units in the back of the storage drawers. Anything over 200 or at the most 400 iso required the use of a flash back when. But the latest round of camera releases find me running 6400 without even being concerned and higher if necessary with APS-C sensor gear and shooting 100% in jpeg as I always have.

 

[tbcass]

Choice #4; Use any suitable lens, shoot RAW and raise the ISO.

Flash not allowed.

ISO 16000 RAW processed with Photo Lab.







--
Tom

 

[JohnSil]

Two of my favorite lenses are the Nikon 24120/4 and the Sony 50GM1.2. Ever since I have become proficient in flash, I am finding that I don't need the light gathering of the f1.2 lens.

I am finding if I go out into the world to shoot, I like having the crutch of the zoom and flash, as I know I have vastly decreased the likelihood of not being prepared for a shot. I also get the advantage of being prepared for a video moment.

Conversely, I like the simplicity, and compositional challenge that comes with a fast prime and using the available light. Most of the time I am using this to shoot portraits, and to make people look good in a natural environment.

Lastly, I find that my GFX100RF and a flash is a pretty good pairing, and something I have with me everyday.

Interested in what you guys like, what you prefer and why.

I think how people shoot is often less about what they like than what they know!

A GOOD photographer is an expert with a flash as well as ambient light or a mixture of the two. A mixture? Yes a good photographer is also well versed on dragging his shutter!

I shoot a minimum of 1 event per week and as many as 3 and it's all flash work with a minimum of 1000 shots per event. I can always tell the new guys, they show up without a flash or strobes.

If you're only shooting 1 person you can get away with a fast lens and shallow DOF. Two or more people and it's virtually impossible to get two people in sharp focus even at f2.8 let alone faster!

I shot a 50 1.4 prime for the first ten years, and yes, got to know it very well. Fast forward 50 years and it's all 2.8 zooms, mostly 24-70 2.8. And absolutely I use primes, but the zooms are almost as sharp, especially at f8 for landscape! Flash can be used for landscape and birds too!!!

John