How I Shoot Manual Vintage Lenses With A DSLR

Dan James9 Comments

My experience with film and digital cameras over the last five years or so culminated recently in the revelation that it doesn't matter so much whether I'm hunting for beauty with film or pixels. What's far more valuable to me is the hunting itself, plus the vintage lenses I love to use. This post is… Continue reading How I Shoot Manual Vintage Lenses With A DSLR

Rise Of The Anti-Zoom – Why I Never Zoom With A Zoom Lens

Dan James15 Comments

Zoom lenses were made so you could stand in one place, point in any direction, zoom and capture the perfect composition. Right?  Well, maybe. But not for me. Instead I see a zoom lens as a small, highly portable set of prime lenses. Here's why, and how I use them. For the first four years or… Continue reading Rise Of The Anti-Zoom – Why I Never Zoom With A Zoom Lens

The Fall Of The 50s Philanderer (Or How I Found The Perfect 50mm Lens)

Dan James27 Comments

I've shot far more photographs with 50mm lenses than any other focal length. But switching 50s more often than underwear can become an exhausting and hollow experience. Here's why my 50s philandering days are done, and how I've settled on my ideal. It took me a while to realise, but after something like seven or… Continue reading The Fall Of The 50s Philanderer (Or How I Found The Perfect 50mm Lens)

Triple Underdog – 3 Humble 50mm Lenses That Far Exceeded Expectations

Dan James14 Comments

Many vintage lenses have impressive reputations online. But in my direct experience over the last four years or so, disappointingly often I've found them to be expensive and over-hyped. In contrast, I've found a few with very modest (or virtually non-existent) reputations, but still capable of very impressive results. Here are three of these dark horse… Continue reading Triple Underdog – 3 Humble 50mm Lenses That Far Exceeded Expectations