So, welcome back to another video.
As you can see that we’re not in our normal studio setup and in fact we’re in Blackpool.
Today we will be trying out a few different lenses, which will hopefully demonstrate why
choosing the right lens for your needs is important.
Today I have Ella and Kaine with me who are going to be demonstrating how they would use
different lenses for different scenarios and also answer some questions along the way.
Questions like: What would you use each focal length for?
Who would be best using them and why?
And, what are the advantages and disadvantages of each focal length?
Hey guys, I'm Ella.
I use the Canon 6D.
When I bought this, mirrorless camera technology wasn’t as good as it is now and I could
never really afford it anyway at the time.
But when i did start working at Wilkinson Cameras, I did get my hands on some equipment
and I was pretty tempted.
But I love this camera so I’m going to stick with it for a while I think.
So my absolute favourite lens to use is this 50mm lens.
This is a 1.4 aperture and it gives off a really nice bokeh affect, which I just, I
love it.
And it works really well in low light too.
I do tend to use the 50mm quite a lot so today I am going to try the 16-35mm as well.
Peace..
Hi, I’m Kaine and I shoot mostly on Sony mirrorless cameras.
I’ve just got this new Sony A7R III, which is also full frame.
I mainly shoot music and gig photography.
I did actually win a Sony competition within Wilkinson Cameras.
I took a really creative shot of the Blackpool Tower with a limited edition christmas ride
outside.
I put a long exposure with it, to give it a really cool effect.
I’ve got a few lenses to try out today including my Samyang 12mm, a Sony 85mm and a 70-200mm
by Sony.
As you can see we've moved the tripod back to compensate for the longer focal length.
This is so that we still get the full image in the frame as apposed to just being super
close up.
We know you love your 50mm lens, but where do you use this most?
So, I do love my 50mm, mainly because I shoot a lot of portrait photogrpahy and a lot of
band photography.
I love the fact the 50mm really isolatees my subjects and gives off a really nice affect.
So, if I could add any other lens to your kit, what would it be the 24-70mm.
This is a really verstaile lens and with a lot of live events that I shoot too, it works
just as well going from a live event to shooting portrait backstage.
What lens do you prefer and what do you use them for?
So at the moment I'm really into my Samyang 12mm.
Its really versatile, it's really good for a load of different scenarios.
I've used it for shooting astro photography, I've also used it for a bit of landscape and
it is also really good for gigs.
Low light, it's a wide aperture, really fast lens, it captures the action really well and
gives a really wide spread perspective on the show and surroundings that are going on
around it.
Who do you think would be best using it and why?
Like I said, it fits a wide range of scenarios.
It's really good for astro phtography because it's wide, it's a low aperture.
I'd say its really good for travel as well because it's a really small, really light
compact lens.
And you get really sharp results from it.
Obviously with the travel, it's really good for landscapes.
If you are going for a hiking trip I would say it's an ideal lens to take with you.
And again, for events if you want to capture a whole load of action instead of just a narrow
perspective, it's a super lens.
Whilst being in and around Blackpool we have taken some images to demonstrate different
styles of photography.
Some landscape, architectural, street and portrait photography.
Let’s start with some portrait comparisons.
This is Ella, modelling in the Vintro Café in Blackpool City Centre, which is a great
location for some detailed grungy looking images.
Kaine has taken a variety of shots on different focal lengths of 12mm, 85mm and 200mm.
The 85mm and 200mm focal lengths really do isolate the model from the background with
pleasing bokeh and would be perfect for most if not all portrait photography.
Surprisingly, the Samyang AF 12mm f/2 was the perfect lens for this shoot.
The location was very detailed and complimented Ella’s aesthetic.
Shooting wider allowed Kaine to incorporate more elements in his composition.
Even though 12mm lenses are typically known for architecture and landscape photography,
you can use them in other styles of photography by placing your subject creatively in the
frame.
Now, let’s use the 12mm for what its typically known for…
If we use every lens that we've got and show how different lenses capture that.
With some lenses you won't be able to get it all in.
Literally the 12mm, the 12mm, I've got the whole of this in and the whole of the space
above it.
Together Ella and Kaine photographed Blackpool Tower from a distance to show a true comparison
between the 12mm, 16mm, 50mm, 85mm, 135mm and the 200mm focal lengths.
Wide lenses like the Samyang 12mm f/2 and the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 allow you to fit more
into the frame, whereas a telephoto lens like the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 is designed for getting
closer to a subject.
Here you can see the differences between the focal lengths.
The 70-200mm lens is a great choice for wildlife and portraits but can also be used in other
scenarios.
Here are some pictures of Blackpool tower taken with the 70-200mm lens using focal lengths
85mm, 135mm, and 200mm, which covers quite a bit of distance especially if you can’t
get close to what you’re shooting.
The only real compromise with a wide aperture telephoto zoom lens is the weight and size.
It can feel quite cumbersome if you’re out shooting all day.
Here is another example.
Kaine took these photos from the other side of the road and still managed to retain a
lot of detail.
Ella took some more shots of Blackpool Tower but from a different angle with the Canon
16-35mm f/2.8 and the Canon 50mm f/1.4.
This example shows how using a wider lens for landscape and architecture is better for
fitting more into the frame.
Alternately, you can use the 50mm lens when shooting architecture to isolate detail of
the buildings.
If you shoot more landscape and street style photography and use Canon cameras, then the
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 is a great choice for you.
Ella and Kaine capture some images in and around Blackpool and you can see she has a
good range of subjects.
Moving on to the 50mm lens, commonly known as the nifty fifty.
It’s a perfect prime lens to start with.
It’s versatile, affordable, and great for shooting all types of photography.
This lens is a good correlation to what we see with our own eyes when mounted on a full
frame camera.
Ella’s favourite lens is the 50mm because she primarily shoots portrait and gig photography.
Here are some examples of Ella’s photography work using the 50mm whilst in Vintro Café.
The 50mm lens has some pros and cons.
The biggest pro is the ability to shoot what you physically see which will make you think
creatively about your composition and in the long run will improve your techniques.
If used on a crop-sensor camera, it will be magnified by 1.5 or 1.6x depending on brand,
so subjects will appear closer than with full-frame.
Most 50mm prime lenses have large apertures and are therefore great in low light, but
also produce pleasing background blur too.
Prime lenses may not be as versatile as zoom lenses but they do offer much wide apertures
and are known for being sharp.
Now, that is all we have for you today!
We have tried to incorporate a variety of lenses that we could get our hands on.
but, if you want me to do a separate video going into each focal length and the use of
them, then let me know in the comments below.
Now, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and click the bell icon to be notified when we
upload a video in the future.
Until the next video, I will see you soon