Shooting without thinking: which lens?

[IkarusJohn]

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8 hours ago, hansvons said:

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Beach #11:

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Lovely image, Hans

[hansvons]

4 hours ago, IkarusJohn said:

Lovely image, Hans

Thanks!!

[jaeger]

On 12/5/2023 at 8:31 AM, a.noctilux said:

Indeed, without thinking it would be hard, very hard.

Instinctively, maybe.

Then with the lens mounted on the M.

Exactly.  It's like getting big paychecks without the need to work - it's quite often seen the new generation on social media.  Some people would buy a Nikon Z9 or Sony A9 and just burst shooting 120/fps on random things and hoping for 1 good image.  I really have no idea where was it coming from. 

[pippy]

On 12/8/2023 at 11:05 AM, hansvons said:

Hi Philip, I was swamped and wanted to find time for a proper answer. My apologies for the delay...

No problems, Hans, and thanks for your thoughtful post. Much to discuss...

Funnily enough I'm in the same busy-boat now, myself, but will get a reply together for you when things quieten down around here!

Philip.

[muskyvibes]

On 12/5/2023 at 3:40 PM, hansvons said:

In this thread, @pippy wrote:

I couldn't agree more. Unfortunately, I live on the continent, so we're having this conversation online. But I do like good red wine, preferably Bordeaux.

---

I deliberately gave this thread the title “Shooting without thinking: which lens?" to open up the discussion as much as possible. I know this thread is more about content creation than technical shop talk in a technical forum, but one can only try. 

 

My original post:

First, moving your feet/camera instead of your focal length is the difference between tracking and zooming/cropping. It’s an entirely different thing. Feet changes perspective, focal length, and framing. Needless to say, which is more important.

Secondly, defaulting to one focal length is desirable as vegetative previsualisation is much easier to obtain. Why’s that? Because shooting without thinking will take you to the next level. No moving your feet, no wondering what to do, no re-framing and lens swapping because all of that is done unconsciously and quickly. Only your subject’s action, focus and exposure may require some attention (already hard enough).
 
Hence, it makes much more sense to own multiple lenses of the same focal length than to own a set of primes from 21 - 90 unless you are a filmmaker or need various focal lengths for different jobs, e.g. architecture vs product shoots. But it’s interesting how fast one unlearns previsualisation skills when changing focal lengths regularly. 
 
BTW, I use 98% of the time 35mm and own two 35mm lenses for two M cameras. I might get another 35mm lens at some point, or not. 

 

I'm interested in learning how others feel about this. Thanks!

Hans

Most of the time I’m on 50mm. But a 35mm is in my bag as a second lens. It depends where I am going. If it’s close quarters or big architecture then I choose the 35mm. Otherwise I’m on 50mm. My mind doesn’t charge how I frame it. So when I’m on 35mm I also shoot it as I would with the 50mm. It’s just that I’m closer because I have no room to move. 

[Pierre68]

Well first I would like to thank the OP for starting a valuable thread in this forum. I have been working on developing a mindful photography practice lately and mindful photography implies that you are taking pictures without worrying about camera work... Just being present in the moment and receptive to whatever is around you. From me what works best is the 50mm summilux, as I feel I can manage to take pictures with this lens that will look as if they were taken with a 28, 35, 50 or even longer focal length just by moving around and observing.... 

For those interested in that approach I can recommend this book : https://www.amazon.com/Tao-Photography-Seeing-Beyond/dp/1580081940