Always with the talk of lenses.
Lady in Red ; 50mm prime
People fixate on them.
How sharp they are, what zoom range they have, how much they cost, the letters appended to the end of the aperture. All kinds of meaningful statistics that really have no meaning beyond paper. Yes, they help you find what you want, need, or can get by with, and I have long debated my lens choices. Many times I visit camera websites with lens lust in my heart. I kept thinking “I can shoot better if only…” or “I could get these kind of shots with a lens like that…” and fixated on all the things I didn’t have. I haven’t felt that lust in a long time. Maybe I’ve grown up? I’ve been shooting now for coming up on three years this November and I can definitively say that I know what kind of shooter I am. I have 5 lenses to match my Rebel XS, 2 of these lenses get used 99.8% of the time.
Innocence ; 28mm prime
These lenses are primes. These lenses fit in my pocket. These lenses kick much ass. These lenses cost a grand total of $360. For both.
Yes, I have paid more than that for a single lens before, and that single lens does rock, but I get much more use out of my nifty-fifty and my two-eight.
In camera-phobic London, I walked around with only these two lenses. One on my XS around my neck, the other in my pocket. No one gave me a second look. I left the rest of my gear in the room and my back was thankful.
Chelle - Sit and Stare ; 50mm prime
I trust these lenses. I know what they will give me in most circumstances, and I like what they can give me.
Better lenses won’t make you a better photographer.
Better understanding lenses will.
Find the lenses that give you what you want. Every shooter is different and demands different performance and results.
Shoot until you know who you are behind the lens and then you’ll know which lens you really need.
–James
Check out more from Chelle’s shoot in the Lightbox Galleria and take a look at the Lady in Red while you’re there.
