Finally have a chance to start going through my photos from Dia de Muertos and Trolloween from last weekend. While I think I got a few good ones, for the most part I am a bit disappointed. I now realize that for event photography, a great deal of my style is defined by my use of a zoom lens. Because you don't have the freedom of movement at events, using the zoom to change the composition of the image is a huge part of what I do. Being confined to a single focal length, the images feel very confined, claustrophobic and stagnant to me.

Don't get me wrong. The 85mm f/1.2 is a phenomenal lens. I really need to rent it more often and really get good with it. In studio or location work, it should be unbelievable, but not for my event photography. Tough giving up ~ 2.5 stops, but the 70-200mm 2.8L is still my preferred event lens. With 28-135mm 3.5-5.6IS as my 2nd favorite (although I do like the 24-70mm 2.8L if I'm not going to need the extra reach).

Will know for sure once I start processing them.

-=>Donald

Despite the above message, that lens just blows me away. Take a look at this. It's a 100% crop (meaning there is no resizing of the image). It was cropped out of the inset image. Only thing I did to this was to set white/black points, crop and then give a slight S-curve to enhance contrast a little. Sharpening would improve it more. Also had to compress it a bit to get it under 200k. This just blows me away. It's pitch black out and the only ambient light is 2 propane torches that are set pretty low. Really hard to focus ... flash was set with a -1 flash exposure compensation.

well you know what they say Donald...
it's not just the zoom but the know how to compensate for it...
;~o did i just type that...

One more example of why I love this lens. Only light is from his torch. 1/1000th sec without flash. Able to freeze the flammable liquid these guys spit out to create their fireballs just before it ignites.

Cyn - Ooooo ... are you holding classes on proper zoom usage? :D

I wouldn't be disappointed in the least with the results from the zoom. It's great having a fast lens and those two images proves that. Great flash compensation on the first one so as to not overexpose...great details..and what a friggin expression, makes me want to run and stick my head in a whole in the ground. 2nd image, although a little dark, I find it fits the mood perfectly...I love seeing him spew the flamable liguid from his mouth and that fire is wicked. Excellent work on your part...The lens doesn't make a great photograph...the photographer does with his knowledge. :))

The bottom shot is amazing. Would not have the same impact with flash. Optically, zooms have gotten a lot better, though still not fast. Image sensors have also improved it seems. 1000th sec at night!

Holy Moly the images are amazing! Dee-Marie

moi? proper zoom usage? lol...
you know it's the HC that teaches that class! :]
dang donald! i see you got an A+++!!!
has the word "a m a z i n g" been used yet?
well these certainly are! incredible!! o.O!!
can't wait to see more...

Awesome shots. How do you like the 28-135 IS. I am thinking about buying this lens, or the Sigma 18-125.

You never mentioned how far away you were on first shot. Flame shot is wicked how the blue gaseous surrounds it.I was just trying to do some flames.I tried flash ,,,no flash,,,back light,all to try to rid that really bright white center.Very hard to me.

Really, my disappointment wasn't in the lens, but in myself. I should have recognized the limitation of the lens sooner. Heck, I shot 7 hours at the Dia de Muertos festival the day before. I knew going into Trolloween that it probably wasn't the best lens for the job. It's just really hard to not use a f/1.2 lens.

Randy - I love my 28-135IS. It's the lens that is on my camera probably 75-80% of the time. Versatility of the lens is great. While the Sigma will give you a wider view, I'd take the Image Stabilization over the extra 10mm any day. Being able to shoot handheld as low as 1/4 sec is wonderful. It depends on what you want to photograph really. For my event and street photography, the 28-135IS can do a lot. It's not super fast (same 3.5-5.6 as the Sigma.

dB - Ummm ... can't say for sure, but estimating I'd say 10-15feet away. Lost of movement and I was watching through my camera, so hard to say really.

-=>Donald

1/1000?.. holy crap.. Now I know I need to get a decent zoomlens.. Shooting this weekend with the one I have showed me again how bad it really is :P

Amazingly impressed with the way you handle flash... the white on that face (top photo) is flawless. Not a hint of blocked up highlights.

And the second, love it! The framing on the 3rd is wonderful! Now has your site been updated yet???? I've been awaiting my email for months..... And as for zoom vs prime.... It really is what your used to.... all I've ever used is primes, and find myself putting my new zoom on one focal length and leaving it there.... I would imagine that for crowded places like events moving around and moving in and out is damn near impossible..... gotta have a zoom.

Message edited on: 11/10/2004 06:01