aDVL personal blogA glimpse of my everyday life

03.07.2008 – Poli

Canon 40D + EF 50mm f/1.4

Katrin: A bit more…

Model: Katrin, Canon 40D + EF 135mm f/2 L (available light only)

Katrin: A bit retro…

Model: Katrin, Canon 40D + EF 135mm f/2 L (available light only)

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

After almost a year since I bought the EF 50mm f/1.8 MK II, I decided that it is a time for upgrade but I was not sure when. Today out of nowhere a friend called and told me that he is selling his EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens and offered me a deal that I could not refuse. Few hours later the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens was added to my collection.

My first impressions were that the lens did not have the build quality of a L series lens but it was definately a step up from the f/1.8 MK II which felt like a cheap plastic can. The other thing was that the ring was not as smoot as my 17-40mm or the 135mm f/2.  As for the image quality I was not able to test it yet but in a few days I hope that the first pictures will come.

Vesela – Part 2

The first one is straight out of the camera, no Photoshop used except for the standard RAW to TIFF conversion, as for the second one I played a bit with the Black and White conversion tool in CS3 and although a harsh result, I personally like it, she still looks adorable. The third one is a more generally acceptable B/W conversion, a bit more lightened skin and hair.

Canon 40D + Canon EF 135mm f/2 L at f/5 1/400s + Silver Reflector

Vesela – Part 1

Today I was able to test the new lens in a few quick shots, the results were stunning, everything from the impressive bokeh up to the image sharpness from this lens even wide open. The Canon EF 135mm f/2 L is definitely worth the money.

The only problem with this lens, if I can call it a problem is that when shooting f/2 the DOF is very shallow and small movements can produce “out of focus” images, you can see on the next two images that I missed the focus by a 2-3cm, take a good look at the model’s face, it is a bit blurry.

Canon 40D + Canon EF 135mm f/2 L at f/2 + Silver Reflector (No Photoshop)

Canon EF 135mm f/2 L – finally here

Today I was very happy when I received a call from my photo store telling me that my Canon EF 135mm f/2 L is  waiting me to pick it up. I grabbed my bag, went to the store and took my “precious” home.

Here is it, the Canon EF 135mm f/2 L with the ET-78II Lens hood

And here is it next to the Canon EF 17-40mm F/4 L

I got it too late in the afternoon so I was unable to find any victim to try the new lens with. But I hope tomorrow I will be able to take some.

Ghost on the dock

Canon 40D + EF 17-40mm f/4 L toned in PS (birds added in PS too)

Inhuman action!

Today while I was walking through the center of Skopje, a small boy grabbed my leg and started asking for money. My first reaction was to take the camera and shoot surprised by the sight I was seeing (although an inhuman action here is the shot) … I felt sorry for the kid so I gave him a few bucks and suddenly the agonizing expression on his face disappeared, he started to smile and asked if he can take a picture of me with my camera… No way in the world that would happen!

Canon 40D + 17-40mm f/4 L

This “inhuman action” got me thinking, as a (hobby) photographer I can take amazing pictures of people in pain, they are always dramatic, emotional. But what right do I have to document their pain and suffering in the name of art, if it can be called that. Is giving money to this boy a way to justify my taking advantage of his situation. Should I take a picture the next time I see someone crying or should I walk away. How would I feel if we switched places and I was not the man with the big camera? The moral dilemma is obvious.

Another side of Jo!

Canon 40D + 28-135 IS at 135mm f/5.6 1/100s ISO 1600