Comments on: Agreeing with Ken!

By: Andreas Manessinger

Andreas Manessinger — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:14:31 +0000

Yeah, yeah, those sensor-stabilized guys. How I hate it

But really, as much as I love lens stabilization on the few stabilized lenses that I have (stabilized viewfinder!), as much envy do I feel when I imagine my Sigma 28/1.8 (or any other of my lenses) being stabilized. Unfortunately Nikon will likely never support sensor stabilization. What a pity!

By: Markus

Markus — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:23:17 +0000

Rockwell? Ken Rockwell? The signal/noise ratio is more appalling than appealing… so after some attempts I don’t read it any more. For me there is not enough balance in his arguing…

Re. the use of a single lens: Well, in the dark season I find myself going back to the fastest primes I have, a 28/1.8 Sigma (as recommended by Andreas many times on his blog) and the old Minolta 85/1.4. It is a different kind of photography, not better or worse, and the teaching factor is high. But I when the light is more, my zooms will get their share again – sometimes I really miss that flexibility.

By: Don

Don — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:37:10 +0000

I agree. When I shot film I lugged around an old Nikon FTN from my Vietnam days. I carried the prime lens, a 35mm, and a 135mm.

We have a D40, D60 and a D90 and my son has my old D50 which he lugs around the Adirondacks. As far as lenses we have a 18-55mm on the D40, a 55-200 on the 60, and a 18-135 on the 90. We try to keep it simple and I would do the same if it was a Canon, Olympus, or whatever, we all know it is not the camera, so adhere to the KISS principle, it makes life so much easier.

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:53:11 +0000

…must resist….resist … will not be drawn to clicking the Rockwell link again.

Something I am sure he appreciates in his advertising revenues.

By: Rob Terry

Rob Terry — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:27:27 +0000

So I read Ken’s blog poste as well. Now I’m seriously thinking of buying a 35mm f1.8 lens and putting away the zoom….

By: Gordon McGregor

Gordon McGregor — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:17:54 +0000

It is pretty common advice to stick to one lens/ camera and use it until you really know it. I think that might actually be quite a common development arc.

Get a simple camera. Get Gear Acquisition Syndrome, always reaching for the next bit of gear to help you ‘improve’. Then after a while (or maybe never) you realise that the gear doesn’t help you improve, but you have to improve. Often there follows a period of contraction – simple gear, single lenses etc, until you maybe get the hang of that – then it all balloons out again ?

By: Ray K

Ray K — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:40:44 +0000

I believe Ken wrote a lot of that to stir the attention that he likes so much. Personally I figure the right tool for the job makes more sense. I don’t really go out looking for something to shoot, when I leave the house I pretty much have an idea of what I want to say or make in mind. Planning and having the proper gear for that voice when shooting makes the image and story stronger.
The danger is and what I believe the point is, having to much gear with you at a time may allow the equipment to drive the vision instead of what you want to say. Have a clear vision of what you are after can keep the gear at a minimum and allow you to concentrate on the vision. Know your tools and know your vision, the rest will take care of its self. I’m pretty sure they didn’t build the Taj Mahal with just a hammer.

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:41:11 +0000

I’ve been using the 50mm/1.8 and the Tamron 90mm macro alternately, depending on what type of shots I want to take. Sometimes, I’m in the mood for macro and the Tamron is immensely satisfying to use. I plan on getting a 35mm/1.8 when I sell my one of my zoom lenses.

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:38:28 +0000

Eric! Be careful about saying that you shoot JPEG. That’s heresy in some circles! On the QT (Quiet – Secret) or the DL (Down Low – secret), I shoot JPEG, too. Shhhhhh. Don’t tell anyone!

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:35:26 +0000

“Still, he is more than only a talented jester”

I like that! He certainly is a jester. As a matter of fact, when I was looking for a smaller DSLR, I read his post about the D40 and, after a bit of thinking, went out and bought one. He was right on every front. It was a great camera. Certainly no replacement for a D300, especially when it comes to shooting sports and shooting in inclement weather. After using it for a year, or so, I sold it because I had too many cameras.