[toni-a]

Hi folks

it has been a long time I didn't post here.

Mainly because I stopped shooting (in fact I continued posting for a while but with the new forum layout things got much harder <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':unsure:' /> )

I am considering getting back to shooting.

I have an acceptable gear and absolutely no intention in getting any gear or upgrading for the time being I sent my 30D and my lenses (Canon EFS 17-55 f2.8, Canon EF 100 mm macro and Canon 50mm f1.4 Canon 28mm f2.8) for cleaning and recalibration/recentering



The problem I don't feel the enthusiasm for shooting anymore, I don't feel like climbimg a hill during one hour carrying all kind of gear at 5 AM to shoot sunrise.....

[Brightcolours]

If the only thing you like to photograph is landscapes, but hate going though the landscape itself, then no reason to make photos <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Only you can really advice toni-a here... It is you interests, your likes and dislikes, your inspiration and/or lack there-of.



Why do you have that 100mm f2.8 macro, for instance? Not for sunsets I think. My personal experience regarding macro and that focal length class... I got myself a 90mm Tamron for macro, when I got myself an APS-C DSLR. Thing is, I am not one to like "documentary" macro much.. "oh look a photo from a fly or spider up close". To me aesthetics are much more important than the subject. Instead of making a photo of a butterfly, I want to make a beautiful photo. Which happens to have a butterfly in it.

The problem I had with this focal length class is that I seemed not able to make any photo I was happy with. Which put me off macro.



Till I started using my 70-200mm f4 for close up stuff. All of a sudden, inspiration came back. What was it that changed? The field of view. Then I also started to shoot with wider lenses for close ups and macro. Again, difference being field of view.

For me, I found that the 90-105mm macro lens class is really unattractive on APS-C. That long (200mm+) and shorter (55mm-) make for much more attractive images.

24mm:



35mm:



55mm:



150m:



200mm:



320mm:





Not sure what all contributes to YOUR lack of inspiration or joy, but maybe it is similar to what I told above... not too impressed/happy with the results of your photos. No excitement that you get when you make a really beautiful image, that you are really happy with.

If that is a contributing factor, try to figure out WHY you are not happy with the photos you end up with. Is it the repetition of always the same subject? Is it the subject matter itself? Is as "simple" as view angle? Just general lack of inspiration?

Which photography do you get excited about. What is your preference in photography outside what you produce yourself.



When I look at your lenses, only one or two lenses I "get". The 17-55mm f2.8 IS. A standard zoom, so it is versatile. It is heavy though, one of the things that seems to put you off.



The 100mm macro: see my views on that above.



The 50mm.. I do not get this focal length on FF. Kinda too short to like it as portrait lens (I very much like the longer portrait lens view angle more), and not wide enough for anything else.



Then the 28mm f2.8. I guess that lens makes sense as much as my 35mm f2 makes sense... I like my 35mm f2 for being a "normal" lens, which is compact and light. And it gives decent to more than decent results.



I can not fill in for you how you view your own lenses, of course. But if you were me, you would be thinking of changing at least 2 lenses. You would get rid of the 50mm f1.4 (as in: sell) and get a Canon 85mm f1.8 instead. Then you would be happier with the field of view, and as consequence, happier with the esthetics of the resulting photos, and be inspired more.

And you would get rid of the 100mm macro, and get a 35mm macro from Tokina instead. Which would double as macro with wide-ish view angle, and normal lens.

Or you would get a 70-200mm f4 L USM or EF-S 55-250mm IS instead if macro/close ups hold little interest for you, and explore more narrow field of view.



A change of perspective can ignite inspiration and creative drive.



My two most used lenses:

Canon EF 70-200mm f4 L USM.

Canon EF 35mm f2.



Two lenses do use, but sporadically:

Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 EX DC. So, similar to your standard zoom (just less heavy).

Ultra Micro Nikkor 55mm f2. Esoteric lens.



Two lenses I do not use often at all:

Tokina 12-24mm f4 DX. Because the UWA images I get with it are... standard and uninspired, and it broke itself in standard Tokin 12-24mm f4 fashion.

Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro. See above. Two images I made with it that I really do like, both are made with 1.7x TC making it 150mm, and 12mm extension tube making it 2:1.



Mind you, I do not just shoot close up and macro stuff, that was just an example.

[joachim]

[quote name='toni-a' timestamp='1337848545' post='18474']

Hi folks

it has been a long time I didn't post here.

Mainly because I stopped shooting (in fact I continued posting for a while but with the new forum layout things got much harder <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':unsure:' /> )

I am considering getting back to shooting.

I have an acceptable gear and absolutely no intention in getting any gear or upgrading for the time being I sent my 30D and my lenses (Canon EFS 17-55 f2.8, Canon EF 100 mm macro and Canon 50mm f1.4 Canon 28mm f2.8) for cleaning and recalibration/recentering



The problem I don't feel the enthusiasm for shooting anymore, I don't feel like climbimg a hill during one hour carrying all kind of gear at 5 AM to shoot sunrise.....

[/quote]



Hi Toni



Welcome back. I suggest switching to sunsets - saves you getting up at 5am <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> If the carrying bit is the problem, get a µFT - opps you don't want gear recommendations <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Joachim

[miro]

Hey, welcome back Toni.

I remembered the old PZ time when I have learned photography from you.

I still remember the PZ parties organized mainly by your initiative.

Your equipment is still good enough and up to date.

I have few questions.

1.Why did you make such a nice picture before?

2.What was so exciting? I was surprised by your enthusiasm, energy and curiosity. It is shame to hear that loose any interests.



I understand you statement that you don’t need new equipment. You are simply beyond the gear-phoby phase. Now is the time to take real pictures as you did it in the past.







Personally I still shoot from time to time and learn something new. I'm member on dutch photo society and local photoclub.

I like nature. I'm outdoor person I like hiking. I like cycling too. I have more photo equipment that I need.



I'm father of two kids I photograph and document them also.



With other words - I'm not photographer, but I take pictures regularly. Even more, the people interested in photography like it or dislike it. anyway it gives some reaction on them.



So, it is not changed a lot by me. I still learning I still shooting.

[miro]

[quote name='joachim' timestamp='1337851957' post='18478']

Hi Toni



Welcome back. I suggest switching to sunsets - saves you getting up at 5am <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> If the carrying bit is the problem, get a µFT - opps you don't want gear recommendations <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Joachim

[/quote]

<img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' /> <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Toni left PZ somewhere in FF hype era - on that time bigger was better.

[Rainer]

Welcome back.



I see two options for you:



- Get a cheap EOS 300-film body and try to shoot slides for a while

(your 28, 50 and 100mm will be just fine)

or

- sell your gear and get a Fuji x100 instead.



Just my 2cts ... Rainer

[edge]

Maybe get into Flash photography. Use strobes to make and shape your own light.