sometimes equipment really does matter
January 21st, 2009 | Published in random shots
I try not to concentrate too much on techy equipment subjects on this blog but sometimes the techy stuff matters, as is the case with this relatively simple picture.
This picture, taken at the Cardiff Harbour Festival, was shot using my all-time favourite lens – the Canon 85mm/f1.2. This lens, which is the fastest (i.e. widest aperture) lens which Canon make, gives the most amazing focus fall-off when used wide-open. This shot was taken at ISO 125, 1/8000s at f1.2. Shooting at such a wide aperture means you have to get the focus spot-on, which is not easy, but the effect is well worth the effort. This shot just wouldn’t work if the crowd were any sharper. The lens enables you to make things “pop” off the background, which makes it worth every penny for me.
