stephen_w. Posted November 19, 2003 Share Posted November 19, 2003 I was editing some prints today, and sometime couldn't figure out what lens I used: 12 or 15? 35 or 50? 50 or 75? 75 or 90? Any tips wrt determining what lens was used when looking at a print or slide? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg_smith4 Posted November 19, 2003 Share Posted November 19, 2003 I'd imagine a 12 or 15 would be obvious from the distortion. I think you'd be able to tell the 75 and 90 because of the limited DOF, as well as things looking a little more flatened perseption wise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricks Posted November 19, 2003 Share Posted November 19, 2003 you obviously have too many lenses! ;-) keep it simple stupid, is my motto: use a wide, normal and short tele. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m_. Posted November 19, 2003 Share Posted November 19, 2003 I think you might be able to determine an image from a 15mm lens from a 90mm, but to be all honest, it would be hard to see a 50mm apart from a 75mm, especially if you don't know the aperture setting,e tc.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_kaplan1 Posted November 19, 2003 Share Posted November 19, 2003 I'm not sure that I could always tell between a 12 and a 15 or a 75 and a 90. A 20 or 25% difference just isn't enough to always be sure. 21 to 35 or 35 to 90, no problem. Why not take notes while shooting? If you have more than one camera body use the lenses on different bodies. You (or your repair person) can notch the aperture plate in the camera so the edge of the negative will have a little bump or two instead of being straight sided. Years ago this was very common. You'd know exactly which camera body had the faulty shutter or whatever just by looking at the negatives. Assuming you're using two bodies, use one with the 21 and the 50, the other with the 35 and the 90, to make the pictures easier to sort. If you're actually going forth with 12,15,35,50,75 and 90 you might consider paring down your kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_w. Posted November 19, 2003 Author Share Posted November 19, 2003 Al, et al, Add 21 and 40 to the list...no, I don't have a huge bag. I've got two small ones...most recently, a Crumpler (nice bag), holds two bodies two lenses, extra camera in hand, when necessary. The Eagle Creek holds the SWC, and one M/lens. I never carry both bags. The GF carries a bag when I want to use the Hassy. I take what I think I'll need depending on what I intend to shoot, then zoom with my legs, as necessary. For example, in New Orleans, I took the 35, 1.2; 50, 1.0; 75, 1.4; C-Pol; two bodies (incl. the Hexar RF), for the bar/restaurant/night shots. Daytime capable too. I was going through months worth of prints, so all of the lenses were represented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_w. Posted November 19, 2003 Author Share Posted November 19, 2003 Patrick, You're probably right, but, as in ethnic food, I like variety...had to...you'd be surprised the stuff that I've been served without my knowledge...the blond ones DO taste better. I'll say no more than: variety is the spice of life. (8*P> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee_shively Posted November 19, 2003 Share Posted November 19, 2003 Not trying to be flippant about it, but does it really matter? I don't keep records of anything any more except date, place, person and how long the B&W film was processed in D76. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_w. Posted November 19, 2003 Author Share Posted November 19, 2003 Lee, I'm just trying to relate lens (sharpness, "glow", flare, color, etc.) characteristics to a print/slide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_white2 Posted November 19, 2003 Share Posted November 19, 2003 This is what happens when you feel a need to post a question, but really don't have a question to post. PJW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_w. Posted November 19, 2003 Author Share Posted November 19, 2003 No Peter, It was a serious question based on loss of memory, 8*). How a lens records on film, I just can't tell sometimes given all the travel involved, my intermittent editing, and a lack of organization or, because I zoom with my feet. The small differences in perspective between "close" length lenses and the results helps me decide which ones to keep and use and the ones to sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_white2 Posted November 19, 2003 Share Posted November 19, 2003 Sorry if this sounds argumentative, but here goes. If the small difference in perspective is sufficiently perceptible to you that you can use it to decide what to keep and what to sell, why did you need to ask the question? PJW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_lofquist Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 One professional photographer, when asked what camera/lens/film he used for a photo, said that any reply that he gave was often a guess. He figured that if he couldn't tell, neither could they. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_kaplan1 Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 I suspect that most pro photographers make that guess when asked! Other than for us Leica rangefinder photographers the whole excersize is rapidly becoming moot. Everybody else is shooting with zooms. Saying "I was using my 28 to 200mm!" doesn't really tell much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_w. Posted November 20, 2003 Author Share Posted November 20, 2003 PJW, It's not about perspective differences that decide buy/sell, it's performance. I used to have a Ver. III 28, Elmarit. I didn't like the harshness (best word I can find at this moment), Nikcanmintax "quality" of the photo's, so traded it (don't miss it). If I couldn't remember that I shot with that lens (vs. a 35 looking at a print months later), I might still have it. I picked up a Ver. I 28, Elmarit, and am happy with it, even though everyone will tell/show you that the new 28, Summicron will blow it away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_morgan1 Posted November 21, 2003 Share Posted November 21, 2003 Steve, your question is so trivial it is pathetic. Do you realize what people are telling you everywhere you post? Please take a look at yourself. I feel sorry for you. Go out, take pictures instead of trolling for answers. Even the Help and Feedback Forum is sick of you now. Change, please, but don't add to your 15 other aliases. PS : We know you are wealthy, okay? You own a ton of equipments, new and old. You don't use them, so you can't tell one from the other, but you can afford the full range. I am proud of you. Furthermore, you plan to lug you SWC when you go to Algeria one day, hopefully in the near future, as you have been traveling six months at a time. But you must have excellent tele-communicating devices, as you are able to post continuously for months. Care to share with us how do you manage to do that? From Algeria? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_w. Posted November 21, 2003 Author Share Posted November 21, 2003 Ah, the stalker shows his ugly head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_w. Posted November 21, 2003 Author Share Posted November 21, 2003 24 posts an most directed at me...have fun Capt. Morgan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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