Prepare to see my perspective widen, or at least those of my photos. I just picked up a new lens, a Sony FE 28mm f/2. For the last year or so I’ve been shooting at focal lengths of 50mm & 85mm almost exclusively, so I felt it was time to widen up a bit. I swooped this one in particular because it ticked all the boxes; built for full frame, weather-sealed, wide, fast and a native Sony e-mount.
I’ve been using the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 and FE 85mm f/1.8, as my primary lenses on my a7ii, usually only carrying one of them with me at a time. When I go shoot, I go with one camera, one prime lens, an extra battery and a lens cloth. I like to keep it as minimal as possible and still be able to produce the desired results.
I see the moment most clearly when the gear doesn’t get in the way, which is essential for doing the type of photography I love to do. I like to put a lens on a camera and leave it there, just stick to one focal length. Doing so allows my eye to blend with the perspective of the lens and become second nature. It places my focus where it needs to be and decreases the number of photographs I see, but can’t capture because of the moment’s technical boundaries. Yes, I could lug more gear around with me to make sure I “never” miss a shot, but I find shooting this way allows me to remember that not all moments are made for cameras, some are simply meant to be lived.
