On Dec 23, 2010, at 1:27 AM, Andrew Allen wrote: > Why do I shoot primes? Well, one poster was in-part correct that a > favorite tool becomes ingrained with a person - and I am more > effective with the tool I'm comfortable/happy/proficient with. > Secondly, if I'm going to carry a tool - I want the highest quality > one available for that specific function (focal length); I want the > best combination of speed/IQ/size, and though it isn't tiny, the FA*24 > is much smaller than any kit zoom, not to mention f2.8 glass. Another > reason is the 'zone' one gets in when shooting a prime (this is hard > to describe) - the familiarity of the focal length, with enough > practice, leaves one to focus on composition and 'see' the shot > without even lifting the camera to my eye. Though zooms are much > better than they were 30 years ago, they are still large/heavy, don't > encourage movement by the photographer, elicit different reactions > than a small prime, and don't necessarily achieve the 'max IQ' that a > prime like the FA*24 or FA31 can and do.
I am absolutely certain that the IQ achievable with the DA* 16-50/2.8 is, to the naked eye, indistinguishable from that of the FA* 24. "Favorite tool" is a valid reason, and for those who are shooting mainly for personal enjoyment, being restricted to a single focal length is fine. > I love shooting with a > compact setup and getting the very very best quality possible out of > my sensor (hence, why I also shoot RAW exclusively). If you're leaving your lens hood at home, you're not getting the very very best possible out of your sensor. There will frequently be a minimal amount of veiling flare when shooting with even the most flare-resistant lens, if you work without a hood. > This isn't an > approach that will work for everyone (and it's definitely not the most > convenient), but it's what draws me to Pentax, excites me about Leica, > and fits my approach to photography (primarily artistic). Despite not > being as convenient, there is nothing stopping me from shooting > photo-journalistic (news) shots with a K-5 and a setup of lenses > covering wide-angle to portrait. Deadlines and fast changing conditions will stop you. Been there done that -- for more than 25 years. But I respect your choices. Paul > > I typically keep the FA*24 hood at home because it's excessively > large, easily scratched up, and not really needed for the most part > (the FA*24 doesn't have excessive flare). > > Another shot with the 'Silver Bullet' (in Chicago): > http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc130/AMMouse/Pentax%20K100D%20Super/Pentax%20FA24/PK719676a1.jpg > > -- > Andrew Allen > Freelance Photographer and Writer > www.andrewallenphoto.com > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > [email protected] > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
