The Lens Thread!

[nwoods]

Canon shooter here. I'm a fan of a wide lens for daily walking around. I shoot 90% of my images with the excellent (and pricey) 16-35mm F2.8 L MkII. I also have a 10-22mm EF-S lens that is so much fun! And the sharpest lens on the planet, the 70-200mm F2.8 L

With those three, I have everything I need, but again, I use the 16-35mm for darn near everything. I love wide, and can always crop down to "zoom" if necessary.

10-22mm (shot at 12mm)

10-22mm (shot at 10mm)

16-35mm (set at 16mm)

16-35mm (set at 16mm)

16-35mm (set at 35mm)

70-200 (set at 200mm, from a fair distance away)

 

[Lost Canadian]

I use Nikon's 14 2.8, 50 1.8, and 85 1.8. I also use a Sigma 150 2.8 macro, a Tamron 24-135 3.5-5.6, my 'Galen' lens, a Voigtlander 20 3.5 and a Lensbaby. I don't really use one lens more than another, but I really like what I can get out of the Sig 150 and Nik 85.

Nik 85

Sig 150 as a tele.

Sig 150 as a macro. Sharp at 2.8 with wonderful creamy smooth bokeh.

 

[pismo62]

I shoot with a canon 30D and use a 10-22. I really like to catch close to what my eye is seeing. Otherwise, I like to shoot with a 70-200.

Here's one with the 10-22

 

[Scott Brady]

beautiful shot Guy.

 

[pismo62]

Thanks Scott.

Note: I began shooting with the 24-105 lens, which I really like, but felt that with the 30D and the reduced size sensor it wasn't wide enough for me. If I had I full size sensor, like the 5D, it would probable be a different story. Because that would be pretty wide. But, It seems like I'm always in a tight spot trying to take in as much of the landcsape as possible, and the 10-22 does a great job of that. I'll stop the rambling now. :sombrero:

 

[nwoods]

Thanks Scott.

Note: I began shooting with the 24-105 lens, which I really like, but felt that with the 30D and the reduced size sensor it wasn't wide enough for me. If I had I full size sensor, like the 5D, it would probable be a different story. Because that would be pretty wide. But, It seems like I'm always in a tight spot trying to take in as much of the landcsape as possible, and the 10-22 does a great job of that. I'll stop the rambling now. :sombrero:

I'm of the same opinion. 24 just wasn't wide enough for me. THe 16-35 does most everything I need, but there is simply no replacement for the fun you can have with the 10-22mm. There is an awesome collection of images on POTN that showcase what this lens can do. The forum thread is 180+ pages long and growing, but there are some amazing photos, many of them are architecture related. If you get a chance and want to kill an hour or so, I encourage you to cruise through these images.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=312255

Here are a few examples (not my images!)

 

[bajasurf]

When I shot Canon, my go-to lens was the 24-105 IS F4L. Jonathan now shoots with it.

On my Olympus, it runs the 12-60mm F2.8-4 (2x factor). I also run the 9-18mm frequently.

Hi Scott. I see that you and Sexy6chick are using Olympus. I have been seriously thinking of moving to either Olympus or Pentax. Would you mind posting which model of Olympus you are using. My thoughts towards Pentax was for weather sealing plus all the available lens and Olympus for too many reasons to list. Thanks, George

 

[Sexy6Chick]

Hi Scott. I see that you and Sexy6chick are using Olympus. I have been seriously thinking of moving to either Olympus or Pentax. Would you mind posting which model of Olympus you are using. My thoughts towards Pentax was for weather sealing plus all the available lens and Olympus for too many reasons to list. Thanks, George

Olympus E-Volt E300 for me, and if you are interested to see shots I have taken with this camera you can see them in my smugmug gallery: www.sexy6chick.smugmug.com

I am no professional photographer like many on here, but I can tell you I love this camera.

 

[nwoods]

I am no professional photographer like many on here, but I can tell you I love this camera.

I'm not a pro either, but you've certainly got some great shots in your gallery Sexy6Chick!

 

[Lost Canadian]

Hartblei Super-Rotator's

I know this is a bit of a long shot but I figured Mr. Slade or one of our other in house working pro's may have had some experience with Hartblei tilt-shifts? I'm looking hard at the 35mm 2.8 tilt shift for Nikon mount. There are very few reviews online but those that I have found look favorable, and when you look at the price, $595, compared to say a Nikon 24mm or 45mm which are around $1800-$2000, I think I could handle a slight loss of acuity.

Here is the link to the lens I'm considering.

 

[Michael Slade]

Hartblei = crap. You're better off getting a Coke bottle and gluing to the front of your Lensbaby.

This is not from personal experience, this was the experience of someone whom I trust. I still think the *idea* is pretty sweet, apparently the execution leaves something to be desired.

 

[Lost Canadian]

Hartblei = crap. You're better off getting a Coke bottle and gluing to the front of your Lensbaby.

This is not from personal experience, this was the experience of someone whom I trust. I still think the *idea* is pretty sweet, apparently the execution leaves something to be desired.

Is it the glass itself, using it, or both? I see some of their lenses were giving the optics by Carl Zeiss label, which can't be bad considering Zeiss makes some really nice glass. If it's use, well phewy, that sucks. After further digging I was thinking perhaps I should be looking at this guy. If you can't tell I really want to like these lenses. Reading reviews like this ain't helping either. LOL

 

[Michael Slade]

Admittedly it has been a while since I researched Hartblei. I was considering one of their lenses when I was heavy into the panoramas and digital stitching. I relied on a friend of mine who has used the older versions of their lenses extensively. I was turned off to them so much that Hartblei fell off of my radar completely.

I just surfed through their site and I have to admit it is very interesting. Their product line is much more mature now, and the addition of the camera is curious. I have never heard anyone that's shooting one of these things, or any of their newer line of lenses...even my old source hasn't.

For my money though, I might get a Canon body and that new 17mmT/S lens if you are hot and heavy for that look.

IMO, once there is an app. for the iPhone then the effect has 'Jumped The Shark'. Everyone is doing T/S now. Yeah, it's pretty cool, yeah, it has it's appeal, yeah I want to try it too, but I think that there are other ways you can work on to give your images a unique signature.

Now we've just crossed over into a discussion about shooting style and photographic philosophy and headed out of the original intent of 'The Lens Thread'.

This is the kind of discussion that I particularly enjoy. Talking nuts'n'bolts is fine, but talking about imagery is more finer.

I'm curious where you will end up in your quest for that type of lens. It seems that the market has a whole slew of offerings now...many of which I was begging Nikon for about 5 years ago. Now that I've moved away from digital imaging and back to ULF film photography those pieces don't have much appeal for me. The technology is amazing though, and I love to look at those links you provide.

 

[sinuhexavier]

I know this is a bit of a long shot but I figured Mr. Slade or one of our other in house working pro's may have had some experience with Hartblei tilt-shifts? I'm looking hard at the 35mm 2.8 tilt shift for Nikon mount. There are very few reviews online but those that I have found look favorable, and when you look at the price, $595, compared to say a Nikon 24mm or 45mm which are around $1800-$2000, I think I could handle a slight loss of acuity.

Here is the link to the lens I'm considering.

Get the iPhone tilt shift generator. It's awesome!

The Ranch

Burr Trail

Steve Casimiro​

You guys with the fancy gear and all you need is an iPhone...

If you insist on shooting with a full frame Canon, the 24-70 2.8 is the money maker.

 

[Michael Slade]

Get the iPhone tilt shift generator. It's awesome!

Is there an echo in here? :coffeedrink: