Welcome to a brand new feature — the Weekly Wrap-Up — a compendium of some of the articles published this week on Photofocus. Controlling the "feel" of an image with the Illuminati meter After years of shooting, I also tend to get set in my ways. However, sometimes it’s good to get out of your familiar bubble and explore with new techniques and equipment, especially if it can help you become more efficient. Read more... Photography Marketing: Are leave-behinds effective? As we sat down to enjoy an amazing ice cream cone from Brooklyn Ice … [Read more...] about Weekly Wrap-Up: November 4-10, 2018
Tamron
My used lens was a lemon; here’s how I made lemonade
I recently retired (sold) my much-loved Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8 IF-ED lens and replaced it with the Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD. The specs for the Tamron were great and it has image stabilization (IS). My old lens was a bit long in the tooth and I often find myself shooting off tripod on boats. The Tamron is heavy and has a huge, curved front element, necessitating a new filter system. Even so, I thought it would be a great match for my Nikon D850. B&H sells the Tamron for $1299 but they had a used one for $989.95 with a … [Read more...] about My used lens was a lemon; here’s how I made lemonade
Should I get a prime or zoom lens?
When I first started photography, I didn’t take my buddy’s advice — invest in a better quality lens before upgrading your camera. It was a mistake I never made again. So when it came time to decide if I need a prime lens in my bag, I called on his advice again. Instead of telling me what to do, he explained the difference between a prime and zoom lens plus the benefits of each for me to make my own decision. Here’s how I used his advice many years ago when deciding which portrait lens was best for me. Understanding prime and zoom lenses A … [Read more...] about Should I get a prime or zoom lens?
Tamron’s 70-200mm lens — is it ready for major league sports?
Our friends at B&H Photo sent me Tamron’s SP70-200mm F/2.8 G2 (Model A025) telephoto lens to see how it performs at a major league sporting event. I kept my Nikon 70-200mm on hand, just in case. At the end of the first quarter, my trusty Nikon lens stayed in my bag! What I liked about it Focus speed The autofocus is fast. I mean really fast. I had no problem keeping up with the fastest sport on two feet, major league lacrosse. Tamron uses an Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD) ring-type motor, along with two high-performance microcomputers to … [Read more...] about Tamron’s 70-200mm lens — is it ready for major league sports?
Are Your Photos Getting the “Blurts”?
One of the ultimate compliments for a photo is when it makes someone just blurt out a one syllable word or sound. "Wow", "ooh", "awww", "damn", "whoa", "spoon"... you get the idea. The measure of a photo's success isn't if it followed all the "rules", it's whether it makes the viewer feel something. If you get a spontaneous exclamation out of your viewer, they have felt something! If you aren't getting these "blurts" about your work, using these concepts and techniques will make an instant impact on your creative process for … [Read more...] about Are Your Photos Getting the “Blurts”?
Everything You Need To Know About Micro 4/3 Lenses
Mirrorless cameras are wonderful tools, and I'm going to be writing regularly about their attributes. Quick intro to Micro Four Thirds, a.k.a. MFT, M43, Micro 4/3. The key characteristics are that they have interchangeable lenses, they are almost always smaller than DSLR's, they generally cost less than DSLR's for similar features, and they have a sensor that is smaller than DSLR's. The sensor is shaped in a 4x3 ratio, not a 2x3 ratio like DSLR's, which makes a picture that is less wide. One thing that makes Micro 4/3 cameras significantly … [Read more...] about Everything You Need To Know About Micro 4/3 Lenses
Tamron Announces Two New Promising Lenses
Tamron redefines the fast telephoto zoom category with the introduction of the next generation 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom and introduces a compact, high-performance 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 di ii vc hld ultra-wide angle zoom with vibration compensation. February 6, 2017, Commack, NY- Tamron, a leading manufacturer of optics for diverse applications, announces the launch of two new lenses--SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (Model A025) and 10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD (Model B023). The SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 The SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 is a … [Read more...] about Tamron Announces Two New Promising Lenses
Quick Review: Tamron 90MM F/2.8 Macro VC Lens
These days when you hear Tamron, most people seem impressed with their lenses. My go-to lens recently has been their 35mm f/1.8 lens which is a must for landscapes. I’ve also found myself using it frequently on weddings. Tamron has been a breath of fresh air in providing high quality, inexpensive options for lenses. A Look at the 90MM F/2.8 Macro VC Lens Recently I was able to get my hands on the new Tamron 90mm f/2.8. My normal favorite macro lens has always been the Canon version 100mm. The lens is available on the following … [Read more...] about Quick Review: Tamron 90MM F/2.8 Macro VC Lens
Photofocus Podcast September 5, 2015 — Lindsay Adler and Ron Pepper
This week we catch up with two photographers to get a wealth of advice. First Robert Vanelli talks with fashion photographer Lindsay Adler about her career and advice to other photographers. Then Rich Harrington since down with panoramic photographer Ron Pepper for a free-wheeling discussion about gear, tech, and workflow. Get the show here or get it on iTunes Don't forget to post a review on iTunes. Lindsay Adler Lindsay Adler is a professional portrait and fashion photographer based in New York City. Her editorial work has … [Read more...] about Photofocus Podcast September 5, 2015 — Lindsay Adler and Ron Pepper
