RNF/Reality Check: What Is Done w/ Kit Matters More Than the Kit.
I recently posted this to Instagram:
A two-minded photographer. After benders where I chase the upper regions of image capturing overkill and nerdery, I need a palate cleanser. A reset. Kit that reminds me that it is more about what the person does behind the camera and not the specs, provenance, or lineage of the camera or lens in front of them. Fun… but not necessary. Run what ya’ brung.
Upper regions of image capturing overkill and nerdery.
In this case, I am referring to film and digital medium format.
I started with film medium format in this post, where I was trying out a film medium format legend…
…for the second time.
I followed this up by retracing my steps while using the same lens with a recently acquired adapter on a digital medium format rig.
In that second post, I compared the images. Something I do occasionally. Like when I compared another medium format film camera with two digital medium format cameras and an APS-C camera.
Or when I compared a Fujifilm X Half to two film cameras and another digital camera.
This goes back to earlier posts where I compared a film legend to a knockoff when I was a KEH monthly contributor.
The lesson learned all of those time was pretty much the same one this last time.
What is done by the person behind the camera matters more than the camera and lens. With this in mind after the medium format camera nerdery haze cleared I brought a much more humble appliance to the same spot.
Is there a difference?
From the viewpoint of a sane, reasonable person?
No.
From the perspective of a client or photo subject?
In my limited experience? Certainly not.
Heck, I brought a new gee-whiz spec bright aperture “bokeh king” lens to a photo session.
It was taken in front of a performance hall where this graduate spent much of their time and had great memories. First question? Could you make the background less blurry so I can see more of the setting?
Of course.
And I put my zoom lens on.
I did want to sneak the fast lens back in before the end of the session, and she humored me.
This is something Cesar…
…and I discussed yesterday as we were talking about gear.
I was encouraging him to make use of the system he currently has in play, rather than spending large sums for “upgrades”.
If you just want the gear, fine. but if it is to complete the task of capturing images, you have what you need.
He is currently using MFT. I love MFT. I do not have any MFT kit at the moement but it is where I started my interchangeable lens digital camera journey, and I have done several rounds with it since. Some of my all time favorite images were taken using MFT. Including a set that won a photo contest at my job and hung in UNC IT office walls for years.
Did my first ever paid gig with it. To further my point, I shared back to back pics taken with Manu, who I met at my local camera shop and later had the honor of being the second photographer at this wedding.
He was sporting a Pentax 67 with a 105mm f/2.4 lens, and I was enamored with the Olympus 75mm f/1.8.
We decided to step out front and trade pics.
Is there a difference?
Yes.
Will it matter to a sane, reasonable person?
I do not believe so.
Cesar has a copy of this 75mm lens, and I am happy to report that he told me, because of my encouragement yesterday, he brought it out of the camera bag and is using it today.
So… After saying all of this, what is my deal?
I am just a camera nerd having fun… while also using this all, including the writing, to distract/medicate myself in a world that seems to grow more bat dung crazy by the moment.
All that sorted, here is the lens in question today.
Similar to the Viltrox Air 50mm f/2,…
…which I also picked up at these ridiculous prices (7Artisans and Viltrox), it is far better than it has any business being.
Both are great, but for different reasons… and none of it has to do with the great price. They are great sans qualifiers.
7Artisans
- In build and feel, it puts me in the mind of a vintage film lens.
- More than makes up for its size in my case.
- Touches like an aperture ring are appreciated.
- IQ falls in line with the aesthetic bringing an non-clinical vintage glow and colors to the table.
Viltrox
- A true Sony nifty-fifity.
- Viltrox did the thing. What Sony and many others failed to accomplish before them. They created a true lightweight affordable nifty-fifty answer to the likes of Canon’s RF 50mm f/1.8 STM.
- Delivers a clean fuss free, drama free image.
- Size and weight are a perfect fit for the likes of Sony’s A7C series.
- Puts me in the mind of a 35mm film camera with a nifty-fifty attached.
Here are more sample images taken with the 7Artisans 50mm f/1.8 AF over the last few days.
Thoughts.
I really like this lens. Yes, it is a large lens for what it is but, aside from an AF/MF switch that is a bit loose, I cannot fault it.
All metal build, an aperture ring, solid AF performance, reasonably sharp wide open, and pleasing vintage-y IQ with rich tones and colors.
I like it so much that even though I do like the Viltrox purchased afterward this is a lens I chose to hang onto without hesitation. When small size is not a requirement and I am capturing images for myself this lens steps ahead in line.
It also proves once again that even tough much gear out there is nice to have and perhaps fun to have, high cost and outrageous specs are not required.
Well done 7Artisans.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 