With a camera in your hands you have the power to take ‘an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still’ and then whisper a thank you to Dorothea Lange for these wise words. But before you begin assuming that great photography is just about zooming in on whatever it is that you love, think again. The lens is forever between you and your camera adding that technology-oriented optical dimension which is what makes viewers mention perception, interpretation and execution as the keywords of photography.
The right lens is vital… and there is nothing more left to be added. So you need to be sure of what you want as the output. It is far easier to write about photography than it is to go ahead and click a picture that wins hearts. Yes, you need perception and interpretation that sometimes come with practice… but execution has a lot to do with the lens that you have opted to choose.
Let me explain this by linking my thoughts to Sony DSLRs and the three lenses that they have just introduced in the Indian market. Each lens obviously has a specific role to play and any other would not get into the role, so to say. The only common features that bind them are that they all a part of the flagship G Master brand of interchangeable lenses from Sony and have full frame capability. Additionally, they are all endowed with ED or Extra-Low Dispersion glass element and Super ED glass element to keep chromatic aberration to a minimum while maximising resolution and bokeh without any unnatural coloration.
For the travel enthusiast
The sub-heading mentions the travel enthusiast, but the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM Standard Zoom lens from Sony is good enough for portraits, travel, and event photography where one might want to go reasonably wide and then comfortably zoom in a bit for the next shot. Thus for everyday shooting, the lens has a focal length that is great if you are clicking even with a large aperture to get the bokeh effect. Low light clicks will also remain within your grasp. The other additional features of this lens include a smooth and quiet motor giving the focusing system a greater efficiency and the availability of matching filters.
The portrait stalker
Portrait shooting can be a breeze with a lens like the FE 85mm F1.4 GM Telephoto Prime. Besides the ones looking to shoot good portraits, even the food bloggers, product snappers, and the low-light closed in shot fans will find this lens simply irresistible. I’d call it a perfect balance between resolution and bokeh in a compact package. Moreover, the circular aperture with 11 blades will result in a smooth and visually appealing bokeh. The Nano AR coating will reduce flare and ghosting, even with backlit subjects… therefore, assignments with challenging lighting conditions will not deter a photographer with this lens.
From weddings to wildlife
Extremely high rendering, AF performance, and image stabilisation are what are needed most by those who are shooting wildlife, sports, weddings (good shots at Nemusphotography.com/wedding), and other events. The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS Telephoto Zoom has all this besides extra sharpness and clarity through the entirety of its zoom. This lens also has built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation for capturing sharp, blur-free subjects at all focal lengths and a rotating tripod mount that allows the camera to be quickly removed from a connected tripod.
Some of the features that are standard and common to any great lens must include a dust and moisture resistance, streamlining in design, AF/MF switch, focus hold, zoom lock, and hood release buttons… so when you’re lens-buying, do check these features.
Remember, the lens is forever between you and your camera… and the price isn’t what should ever become a barrier between your dreams and their actualisation.
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This article was published in ‘The Education Post’ dated 16 May 2016:
2016_05_16_The Education Post_Sony lens
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The right lens is vital… and there is nothing more left to be added
The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS Telephoto Zoom has all this besides extra sharpness and clarity through the entirety of its zoom
Portrait shooting can be a breeze with a lens like the FE 85mm F1.4 GM Telephoto Prime
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM Standard Zoom lens from Sony is good enough for portraits, travel, and event photography where one might want to go reasonably wide and then comfortably zoom in a bit for the next shot
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Arvind Passey
14 May 2016
