> Nice write up. 135mm provides a greater working distance and IMO > a nicer length for portraits than say 105mm. > > Let me mention one thing. Everyone on this list is so caught up > on "sharp, sharp, sharp..." that people are forgetting "image." > If you are using the 135mm F2L or 28-135mm, it is often tooooo > sharp for people. My latest portraits with the 28-135 IS are > proof of this. I took a close up of a cowboy and the > lighting added drama but you can see every crevice and whisker. > If it were of a woman she would hate to see all the detail. > Next time I use the lens for this I will use softer lighting > and a soft filter. For those who shoot scenics, doesn't > matter since you want clarity, but for people this lens > (28-135mm IS) is too sharp. Just my 2 cents. > > Peter K
Hi Peter, Oh I don't think that everyone is forgetting image structure here. My own personal preference is to have equipment that is capable of the sharpest images possible within the limitations of the media (35mm) and required equipment to capture the images unless I have some purpose for the images that calls for creative effects. The option to exploit the capabilities of the equipment is up to the photographer and the purpose of the image. If the equipment is not capable of critically sharp images the equipment is reducing the photographers capabilities and options to capture what he/she envisions. It's better IMO, to shoot as clean and crispy an image as possible and soften it later than to shoot it soft and find that it doesn't work for the project. The EF 135 2L is very sharp and for almost any woman over the age of 21, perfect foundation and expertly applied makeup are required. For men, a few cracks are proof of character and experience (HA!), but at some point the lines become a problem for even male models unless they have seen critically sharp images of themselves, or wear some crack filler. 8^) Flat lighting can help but the truth is out there! Regards, Chip Louie * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
