“The Case Against Zooms”

#1 Tom Morris

Too true. I have one zoom lens, and I try to avoid it at all costs. I virtually see in 75mm now - partly because that's the standard lens and most of the telephoto or wide angles are expensive. These limitations are very good for getting your head into gear for photography.

4:42 am - Friday, July 18, 2003

#2 Marc

I always though 50mm was considered "standard"?

The pain with this is that the world is a very different place through a 50mm on my EOS33 and a 50mm on my D30 :(

3:36 pm - Friday, July 18, 2003

#3 Mark Goldstein

If I recall correctly, Tom uses a Bronica ERTSi medium-format camera, and 75mm is standard for that format

What's the EOS33 like? I may buy one in the distant future to go with my 10D...

Mark

4:06 pm - Friday, July 18, 2003

#4 Collin

Um, I was under the impression that 75mm was the "standard", equivalent to the 50mm (ish) on a 35mm camera.

Marc - I assume you reference the 50mm difference on your EOS33 to your D30 because of the digital multiplier?

I have the ETRS with 50, 75 and 150 lenses, and love these, even when compared with my 35mm (I still love my 70-300 tho!). If I wanna zoom, I pick the camera up and walk closer! I'm starting to see in these three "lengths" and am starting to compose my pictures quicker - knowing who will be "in or out" of a group photo.

6:31 pm - Friday, July 18, 2003

#5 Mark Goldstein

How's the new Bronica then Collin? Got any sample photos to share with us yet?

Mark

6:49 pm - Friday, July 18, 2003

#6 Collin

The new Broni is fab!

I've been using Kodak Portra NC 160 film as it was given to me. Obviously, this is a Neutral Colour film, and the results look a bit bland.

I've received some Fuji Superia (I think!) today, so, as soon as I've got some negs I'll scan them and let y'all see (if they're good enough!)

Biggest problem I've got at the mo is that the PC at home is broke, so I can't do anything until I've got that running again. I think it's an overheating protection circuit died in the PSU, so I'll try that first..... :o(

:o)

6:53 pm - Friday, July 18, 2003

#7 Charlie Morey

After reading the entire column, I think it's interesting to observe two issues:

1. Mr. Johnston seems to feel that using prime lenses will aid STUDENTS learn to visualize better. That could mean all of us, but I think not in this case...although we all ARE still learning every day, I hope.

2. He also seems NOT to be trying to force his opinion upon us, but rather to explain his personal feelings to those who ask. He seems to have found a system that works well for him, and he deserves credit for that, I think.

So, if those points are valid, I'll happily IGNORE his advice (after considering it carefully) and continue to use my too-heavy, too-slow zooms to control my framing perfectly in-camera.

Until digital resolution (I use a Nikon D100) reaches the point where I can crop vigorously and still retain quality, I prefer to compose/frame my image precisely in-camera.

There's also the option of thinking of your zoom lens NOT as a "ZOOM" lens but a series of lenses, each with a focal length that falls within its range. My Nikkor 70-300 (105-450 on the D100) makes a great 450mm lens when I want it, and if the image requires only a 300mm focal length, I can capture it quickly (before the light/subject changes) without having to carry/change prime lenses.

And then there's the cost of owning every focal length you'd ever need as opposed to the cost of a few zooms.

And the burden of carrying them.

That's the practical part of my opinion. The emotional part is the desire to be completely unrestricted in creating images, and shooting everything at fixed focal lengths inhibits that freedom and versatility.

What if my visualization falls between established focal lengths? Does that mean I shouldn't be thinking such things? If so, that's one too many rules for me.

By the way, does anyone remember when the zoom/anti-zoom discussion used to be based on sharpness or other image quality issues?

Charlie Morey
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http://www.digitalphotography.tv/

7:44 pm - Friday, July 18, 2003

#8 Marc

oops. I didn't realise that we were talking 6x45 MF here Yes, 75mm is indeed standard. I had an ETRSi kit for a while and that'll be why the "package" you can buy comes with a 75mm lens. I bought the Broni as a learning system and it performed that function really well - in the end I just found that the negative just wasn't enough of a jump over 35mm. I also used portraNC (but 400) for a portrait shoot of my Dad - fantastic film for portraits! (so is fuji reala)

Mark - the 33 is great! Nice and light (compared to the D30) and I saved 50 quid by not getting the eye control, which is the only difference to the 30. The metering also seems to be more accurate than my D30 - I shoot mainly slide film at the moment (got a good deal on some Kodak Elitechrome from cameraworld just of Oxford Street) and the metering been preety much spot on in everyday shooting. Definately worth the money

2:46 am - Saturday, July 19, 2003

#9 Mark Goldstein

Charlie - very eloquently put Charlie, and I totally agree with you I guess it depends a lot on what kind of subjects you shoot, but I'd much rather use a zoom lens (despite any minor downgrades in image quality) than miss an opportunity due to changing lenses.

Marc - "got a good deal on some Kodak Elitechrome from cameraworld just of Oxford Street" £20 for 10 rolls - that's where I get my film from! They've been running that offer for ages

There are quite a few 2nd-hand 33/30 available at the moment, due to lots of people switching to digital - might have to get one later in the year...

Mark

9:21 pm - Saturday, July 19, 2003