When I decided to invest in the Panasonic S1 system I felt like I just had to have a 50mm lens. It wasn't enough that I had an old (but very good) Zeiss/Contax 50mm f1.7 that I could use along with an inexpensive adapter, no, I wanted a lens that seemed up to the promise of the system's big 47.5 megapixel sensor in the S1R. So, the choice at the time came down to the Sigma 50mm Art lens for the L system or the Panasonic S-Pro 50mm f1.4 for over twice the price of the Sigma. Truth be told, the performance of the "kit" 24-105mm f4.0 Lumix lens is completely fine for almost anything I could think to shoot but I have an old assumption that the "ultra" cool prime lenses in some systems are just head and shoulders above everything else. I should stick with facts and test results and perhaps I'd save some money....
At any rate, the economy was firing on all 12 cylinders, clients were lining up to pay for my services and I thought, "what the hell? I should buy the "cool" lens." So I splashed out for the 50mm S-Pro. It didn't hurt my rationale to flip the lens over and read, "Certified by Leica" on one side... But the reality is that the lens is massive, the $2300 is a lot of money, and the types of photography that are open to us now don't necessarily demand a ne ultra plus, super-deluxe, fast prime lens. In fact, my most pleasurable photos from walks seem to be coming from much different cameras like the Lumix GX8. And the Canon G16.... and much cheaper lenses.
So the 50mm f1.4 fell into relative disuse which is incredibly sad given its potential (and its cost!). I had swim practice this morning and then a coffee meeting with my gimbal benefactor. I had some billing to do that got all procrastinated for the last two weeks. But by three this afternoon I'd finished everything on my metaphoric plate and I was ready to take a walk through the cooler weather! It was only 103° this afternoon.
As I looked around the studio I decided to push through my anxiety about tromping around with an expensive and underused lens. I put the 50mm S-Pro on the S1R and headed out the door to do my usual route through downtown. I really enjoyed using the system and that lens --- even though the combined weight might turn out to be a real shoulder killer.
The camera is as close to perfect as I could wish for and it and it's sibling, the S1, have done a great job at curing my camera desires (for the moment). It's been nearly a year since I changed systems and this one is going stronger now that when I first bought it. But I must say that the lens is a fun revelation. It's sharp everywhere and the colors are terrific. I'm going to keep the lens glued onto one of my S1R bodies for a while and give it a thorough exploring. Something about it feels special to me and that's fun.
I feel a bit silly having coddled the 50mm lens for so long but I'm happy to have broken through my irrational lens fear block at last. Has that behavior ever happened to you? You bought something and then were afraid to use it? I hope I'm not the only one who does this...
Swim notes: The club changed up the schedule for masters swim practices for the Fall. Now they've eliminated the 6 a.m. and reconstructed the 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. practices during the week days. They've also added noon to 1 p.m. practices on Tuesday through Friday. Weekends just move to a 7-8 and 8-9 pattern. I went to the 8 a.m. workout today and being able to sleep two hours longer was paradise. No more 6 a.m.s for a while!
I swam with my friend, Patty, and we got along.....swimmingly.
Cultural notes: If you are worried about social distancing and good public health practices then don't go to the ever popular South Congress Ave. neighborhood for walking and general outside-ness. They seem to have attracted every "deplorable" from out of town who has come to the big city to stare at the hippies and generally walk around staring at a culture which must seem like something delivered by a time machine from twenty years in their future. I've never seen so many ghastly out of shape people festooned in the Walmart remnant sale wardrobe from yesteryear walking in groups that cover the side walks from building to street, bellowing like walruses in pain and not a single one of them wearing a face mask even though it's required by the current city ordinances. Now I totally understand what the news media are talking about when they reference the deep and unsettling divide between groups in our country.
And it's not at all pretty. I headed back to my neighborhood where people take science and a profound sense of collective responsibility seriously. I hadn't seen such a selfish display of the worst of current Americana in person yet and didn't believe so many people could be so indifferent to the people around them. There oughta be laws.......oh, wait, there are so that makes these people not only uncaring but also criminals. Hoping for enforcement in the future. And while we're at it can we also work on some sort of dress code? The size XXXXLLL t-shirts with political messages strewn across the front, laced with profanity, erupting over massive, sagging cargo shorts, or acres of spandex, are a bit of an assault on the eyes and sensibilities.
But I guess, It is what it is...
Video: We're shooting more video tomorrow and even more on Sunday. We're doing our V-Log testing for our most important number on Friday. We'll have everything figured out by next week when we shoot the big stuff. Thanks for the input on this!
"When they go low we go high resolution."
19 comments:
Yeah, it seems there is a contingent of the population obsessed with "freedom" and the "it's my choice" martyrs who have forgotten, or ignore, the American ideal of personal freedoms carrying with them the necessary burden of personal responsibility. Watching and listening to such blatant disregard for respect of others is just incomprehensible.
But to more interesting bits: I am curious if you were able to reschedule your time-line for the bridge walk this Friday. This sounds like it will be a lighting nightmare, but am curious how you can overcome it if required.
Your image looking up, with the street light in the foreground, and the skyscraper under construction in the background spoke to me. I had this urge to see what it would look like in black and white, so I downloaded it and experimented on it with Silver EFX2. I think this image makes a good test subject. Tonight, I was in the mood for liking the high structure smooth effect (on a low res screen).
I read somewhere earlier today (can't recall where) that being required to wear masks in public is (or should be) no different than being required to wear pants in public.
Ken
I had a Nikon 200mm f/2 that I never used as much as I thought I would. It spent a lot of time in a closet. I was always worried that I'd get it out and find my "investment" destroyed by a huge fungus. That fear is why I eventually sold it. "No Shoes No Service, No Mask No Problem" seems to be the new motto of the small Missouri town where I live.
I wanted a Leica M3 when I was in high school but never could afford one. When in my thirties I was able to purchase a Leica M6 but usually left it at home because it was so expensive. Funny, I think if I could have bought one in high school I would have taken it everywhere. When photography was new to me it would have been a tool. The right tool. Thinking it was the best I would have thought I had no limits.
Regarding masks, there are no shortage of selfish, irresponsible, clueless, folks who never wear masks here in Arizona. Most of them here are both fit and attractive. They can’t wait to get the gyms and bars back open. I doubt they give a thought to all to the damage done by their behavior.
I forgot to mention one of the reasons my 200mm f/2 didn't get much use is that it was such a large unsubtle obviously expensive lens that I felt self conscious about being out in public with it. I wasn't worried about it being stolen and I fine with making a spectacle out of my self with things like 8x10 cameras. But, maybe because I had spent out of my comfort zone on this lens, I always felt guilty of conspicuous consumption when I used it.
It’s the only lens I have for my S1r. I tried a voitlander 50mm too. But the big one is just so good. You must be strong as I always end up with a sore shoulder. I had to buy a shoulder strap. Instead of my usual wrist strap. Glad you have it out now.
RE: Cultural Notes: Not very nice, Kirk. But I'm of the same cynical/objective mind and have forwarded your comments to friends. Cheers!
What, no pictures of the anti-maskers? BTW, now my impression of Austin as a progressive free thinking town is ruined. Maybe they bussed them in from somewhere else. On the bright side, maybe the economy is picking up with Walmart selling all those XXXL T shirts.
"Have you ever...?"
In a word, no. When I was a student in high school and college I could barely afford the equipment I had, let alone luxury glass. When I returned home to Los Angeles I could rent whatever I wasn't going to use on a regular basis. Now, after 50 years in the game, my habits are much the same. I'm not implying this makes me any better or worse than you or anyone else who thinks who thinks or acts differently; I'm just answering the question.
Depression era thinking, "Too good to use." Like the china and silverware that stays in the cabinet forever. The transparent plastic covers on the new living room furniture.
Then, there's the feeling of relief accompanying that first parking lot ding on your brand new car. After that, it's just a car, meant to be used.
Kirk
Been there! Do that!
I have a couple of “those” lenses. One is a 1st generation Leica 50mm Summilux and the other is the Pana-Leica 100-400mm zoom.
The Summilux stays home from the big aspirational trips because it is a “collectors” item and might get stolen or damaged. The zoom stays home, or in the bag, because the size makes it seem like walking around with a bazooka.
PaulB
RE: Cultural Notes: Yeah, those folks are everywhere. Kind of cool yours are all from out of town tho.
My unsolicited advice - take a deep breath (but not within 6 feet of them)
Re. cultural note: Surprisingly, here in Mississippi, I have not encountered many (or any?) of the MAGA douche-heads who refuse to wear masks. Most people appear to be pretty diligent. Non-mask wearers are in situations where a mask would be clumsy, like road crews digging up streets in the blistering summer humidity. The white flight McMansion neighborhoods north of Jackson may be different re. the MAGA mindset.
Re. valuable lenses: No. At my age, I am just using the things. That is their purpose. But I have not bought any Leica lenses in a long time because I just don't want to sink that much money into something that will get very limited use. Maybe I've become a cheap photographer; $135 large format lenses are my style now..
I bought the Sigma 40/1.4 for mine, to scratch the same itch! It's an incredible lens, but honestly, the standard lens that's getting used at the moment is the Sigma 24-70 2.8. I have never seen such performance from a zoom lens!
Anyway, even though the 40/1.4 isn't exactly getting used to death, I can see me ending up with that 50 at some point.
Come on Kirk, how do you know they are from outside Austin? Just because some of us don't or can't control our weight doesn't make us second class citizens. I am opposed to those who don't wear a mask but I don't denigrate them, nor do I believe they are all on the opposite side of the political spectrum from you.
As soon as I saw the headline I knew what lens it was and the LUMIX 50mm 1.4 is also my big purchase of 2019 when I was looking at a big year of wedding photography and an even bigger 2020! Ha - well, at least 2019 was a smash.
Nonetheless, I do use the lens at every wedding I shoot (I have done 6 so far this year with another 7 still in the books, well below my usual 35 or so) and I’m glad I made the purchase.
I've never purchased a lens that I was scared to use because of cost, but I have purchased costly lenses that I lusted after, and then found no use for. Olympus 75mm comes to mind. Beautiful lens, beautiful rendition, but very niche.
Regarding kit that's too expensive to use: YES!
A few years ago, maybe 10, I went to KEH and found that they were selling 2 Leica MPs (The film ones, basically a new M2 with a meter.) for about $1000 each. That was a ton of money for me at the time, but the going price was closer to $2000, so I bought one, complete with the unobtainium, Leica-brand rewind crank, which cost, I think, about $270 all by itself.
It arrived and was, as advertised, near mint, its black paint showing no wear at all.
The camera is an absolute mechanical joy to use, butter smooth and nearly silent.
(I should have bought both of those cameras, since they seem to be selling for more like $4000-$5000 now. I don't know what KEH was thinking at the time, and I didn't ask. Live and learn.)
But I've almost never used it. The truth is that, lovely as it is, it doesn't actually DO anything that my battered M6 can't do, and I am haunted, not by the fear that it will be stolen, but by the knowledge that a single scratch will cost me a thousand dollars in resale value.
So I have this object that is so beautiful as an object that I hate the idea of selling it, even though I could make a significant profit, but I don't use because any signs of use would make it less salable. A conundrum, fer shure.
I'm over 70 now, and don't do much "walking around" photography any more, anyway, so I need to just bite the bullet and sell it. Otherwise my kids will get it and it will either get recycled, or go to Goodwill.
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