Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Canon 28-135mm IS USM lens - A Real Winner Here

Just received my Canon 28-135mm IS USM lens this past week and I put it on my Canon 10D for a quick test. 28-135mm is a good focal range for street photography. On a small frame crop sensor camera, it might not be wide enough since 28mm translates to 44.8mm. On the long end, 135mm (216mm on a 1.6 crop factor) is perfect for the occasional long reach needed. Not having to switch lens in an outdoor environment is a very good thing indeed.

I am very impressed with the lens thus far. The color is fantastic and as good as images from Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L The lens focuses down to 1.5 ft and that can be useful when you need a macro lens. When used with a polarizing filter, the colors definitely pop. This lens is fast, focusing spot on. Images are sharp, IS (Image Stabilization) is handy. There is no questions this lens is going to stay on my street cam - Canon 10D that is, from now on
Picture on the left: Ojai Youth Entertainment Studio performing at the 2012 Ojai Day Annual Street Fair. Overcast day

Canon sells the lens bundled with Canon EOS 7D 18 MP DSLRand that makes a lot of sense. It is a great combo for serious amateurs and professionals alike. Considering that this lenswas first available 10 years ago in Sept 2002 and today it ranks #66 on the Amazon Camera & Photo list, that alone speaks for how well received this lens is. Canon has a time tested winner in their arsenal and they know it.

If you are planning to do a lot of macro photography and want a true (1:1) macro lens that does not break the bank, take a look at the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens. I shot 90% of my stock photos with the lens.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

A Day In The Big Apple

A Day in the Big Apple... I finally put this video together, a video made from a collection of photographs I took in New York City, downtown lower Manhattan more specifically, the few square blocks around the World Trade Center Memorial Site and South Street Seaport. The trip took place in 2011, on a wintry day. I walked and stopped to photograph whenever and wherever a scene spoke to me.

Having a camera, being a photographer is a privilege. Dorothea Lange once said - To live a visual life is an enormous undertaking, practically unattainable. But when the great photographs are produced, it will be down that road. But I have only touched it, just touched it.

On that day, I remember a famous quote from Ansel Adams - “When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.”


I hope you enjoy the video as much as I enjoy taking my long walk in the Big Apple that day