Rhyme and Reason behind my lenses

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It can be overwhelming when you are starting out. I mean , what the heck is aperture – and why do I need to even know what it means.  Now, throw in words like  ISO, shutterspeed, openshade, catchlights – and don’t even get me started on photoshop. With  that said – I am not ashamed to admit .. I could not grasp the simple concept of lenses and why I would want one over the other. So I researched what everyone else wanted and hoped that a lightbulb would click on. My first two lens I purchased were the 50 1.4 g (a.k.a as the nifty fifty) and the 24-70 mm 2.8.  From what I read – these two were the lenses that seemed to be in every protogs camera bag.  Fastforward to February on a trip to the Beach with the family. I go to grab my 24-70 mm and it was not working. “Well, that’s wierd” I tell my husband “it was working last night”….. sheepishly he says” Well… I  kinda dropped it when I was putting it in the safe”… Quickly , he says ” aren’t you glad I told you”.? So for the rest of the vacation,  I was left with my 50…. and there was my lightbulb…soon I would have moments where I knew I wish I had my 24-70 mm… since my 50 1.4 wasn’t doing what I needed it to do.  I soon began to understand why I would shoot with one lens over another. … and I finally understood why that number 1.4 or 2.8 was so important.

Now when I am on shoots – I know exactly which lens I am going to grab  depending on the circumstance.

So here it is what is in my bag and the reasons , why I grab that lens. All Images are un-cropped and  unedited.. so that you can see the truth behind the lens.

Nikon 35 mm 1.4  ($1699)

Cheaper version to use on Camera with crop sensors:  35 mm 1.8 DX ($199)

This is my newest baby – purchased with the hopes of entering in the world of true lifestyle photography and Birth Documentation. I knew I needed a wider lens with a better low light capability.

This is the lens that I grab when I am shooting indoors or going to a restaurant with the family. It is extremely lightweight and  I absolutely love this lens .  it allows me to capture the scene instead of a simple portrait. I wouldn’t use this as a portrait lens however since you risk getting a slight facial distortion.

ISO: 500 ( the perk of that 1.4 aperture)

SS: 1/125

F: 1.4

 

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Nikon 50 mm 1.4g ($450)

Cheaper lens for Crop sensors : 50 mm 1.8 ($215.00)

You all know I LOVE ,LOVE, LOVE this lens. I actually sold it to my second shooter from my trip to the Caymans knowing that I would come home and re-buy it. GUESS what…. it is sold out everywhere and I think the price has even increased  it is that great of a lens.

The lens is total perfection for portraits.  It is the only lens I use for my close-ups where I get my sparkly eyes.  It was also my indoor lens until I purchased my 35 mm. It was hard to get the whole scene unless you are far enough away.. For the price it is hands down one of the best lenses that Nikon has produced. This is a great lens to truly learn how to use your aperture to work for different shooting situations.

Remember if you are shooting with a crop sensor – you are changing the focal length of the lenses. What that means is your 50 mm shoots more like and 85 mm. Your 35 mm shoots more like a 50 mm.  Below is the example of shooting with a crop sensor vs. a Full Frame using the same lens.

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NIKON 85 mm 1.8g ($500.00)

Ok – So this is the lens that I had to purchase to replace my 50 mm 1.4. Since I knew I needed a new portrait lens. I am not completely sold, but my love affair for my 50 mm ran deep and true. So I enter into this new relationship a little heartbroken for my 50 mm. This is Nikons newest lens and as much as I would I am a sucker for the best and the most expensive version of a lens ( the 85 1.4 is $1699.00… ouch!) My wallet it tight right now, due to slow season and I knew I had to get what I needed for my upcoming shoots.  The guy swore to me that the only difference between the $1699 version of this lens is the metal and that it didn’t have a protective cover on the lens… but otherwise the glass is the same. With that said – I am finding that it is not as quick to focus – but the clarity  when shooting wide open is solid when it does focus.

It is lightweight which is GREAT so it will def. be with me at all shoots and will be go-to  lens that I grab for my individual  portraits.

ISO: 500

SS: 1/125

F: 1.8

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NIKON 24-70 mm 2.8 ($1699)

Ahhhh – one of my original lenses. What used to be my favorite  has fallen to the wayside and as I contemplated selling it recently – I thought to myself – Would I miss this lens? What are my thoughts when I grab this lens to shoot with. I quickly realized that I couldn’t give-up on my 24-70.

This is what I call my creative lifestyle lens. It is my second heaviest and can be dangerous when working with young kids when you are trying to get on their level to interact.  I only grab this lens when I am shooting a family and go wide and then want to tighten up the shot for individual portraits of children being held be their parents.  I also love this lens if I am striving to obtain a little sunflare in my image.

 

ISO: 1600 (look at how high I had to go with my ISO)

SS: 1/125

F: 2.8

Shot at 24 MM

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Shot at 50 MM

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Shot at 70 MM

ISO: 1600

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Some of my favorite shots using my 24-70 MM. Below is showing an example of going wide for one shot and then zooming in to capture an individual lifestyle portrait.

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Here is an example of going creative with the Wide angle:

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NIKON 70 – 200 mm 2.8 ($2200)

This is The Mack Daddy lens of  my camera bag.  It’s size can be intimidating – It isn’t for the weak.  However – everytime I choose this lens I fall in love all over again. I rarely use it with my 3 year old – because I find that the distance I need to go makes her to far away from me should I need to “save” her from lifes little dramas… not to mention – there is no scooping her up without  it being a hazard to her cute little  face.

Shooting from the hip is nearly impossible, so this lens is primarily used for senior shoots, maternity shoots older kids and sometimes I can sit a toddler down on a sidewalk  lay down on the ground and shoot at 200 mm and get a very cool shot….  Selfishly – I use it the most on my sons soccer games , swim meets and when he is at school doing a play. …Remember I am a MWAC first and foremost.

 

 

 

We had to go outdoors for this sample:

ISO: 100

SS: 1/250

F: 2.8

SHOT AT 70 MM

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SHOT at 100 MM

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SHOW at 200 MM

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Here are some shots taken with This lens:

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I did bring it out during my trip to the Caymans… and its ability to shoot in full sun with incredible clarity was unbelievable.  Here is one of my favorites from the trip.

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NIKON 105 mm Macro ($900 )

The lens I thought I had to have – Has been used only once or twice. .. Obviously – Macro lenses are not a must have lens in your bag. But if you are looking to have your niche be newborns or weddings then I highly suggest investing it. So that you can give your client  those close up creative shots. The great thing about the 105 mm is that it is a great portrait lens as well … but now that I have the 85 – I am on the fence about selling it.

 

Well there it is – My lenses, who they are, what they do and why I love each of them so very much. I hope this was informative for you  and that I was able to break it down in simplier terms.

 

If you are on a budget and are looking for the one must have –

Go for the 50 mm 1.4. I promise  it will be the best investment you can make.

And if you are looking to invest in a camera – I have shot with the Nikon D7000 and it is a PHENOMONAL camera for someone  just starting out. It is Nikons newest consumer camera and with  features like a 16.2 MP 6 fps continuous shooting and  impressive low light capability … I promise it will knock your socks off.

For you Canon Diehards – Check out the Canon EOS 60D – I don’t know much about it… but if it is competing with the Nikon D7000 it must be good.

The one thing I remember reading in the beginning of this journey  – is this – You don’t want to show up at a shoot carrying the same camera as your customer”. If you are at a place where you are charging for your time .. then I do suggest invest in quality equipment.