Film Road Trip

Tag: Canon

  • Travel and the Holy Trinity of Prime Lenses

    Travel and the Holy Trinity of Prime Lenses

    When I first heard the expression, the “Holy Trinity” of lenses, it was in reference to three Canon L prime lenses, the 35mm f/1.4, the 85mm f/1.2, and the 135mm f/2. After Googling the phrase, I see that everyone’s “Holy Trinity” is different. Some use the term to describe a series of zoom lenses, and some use it to refer to three different prime lenses. So I guess everyone has their own spin, but for me, it’s the Canon 35mm f/1.4, 50mm f/1.2, and 135mm f/2, and I’ve found it to be perfect for travel.

    Holy Trinity Canon Prime Lenses 135mm f/2 135L
    Canon EOS 1v, Canon 135mm f/2, Kodak Portra 800

    What makes this the perfect threesome for me? First, I have new love for the 50mm with my purchase of the Canon 50mm f/1.2. I am certain there are other 50mm lenses which are sharper, but I love the look of this lens. It did not come easily because I pretty much abandoned the 50mm focal length with the purchase of my Canon 24-70mm f/2.8. When I purchased that lens, I passed my 50mm f/1.4 to my daughter to replace her 50mm f/1.8, and used the 24-70 for pretty much everything I shot.

    Holy Trinity Canon Prime Lenses Canon 50mm f/1.2 50L
    Canon EOS 1v and Canon 50mm f/1.2, Fuji Provia RDP III

    However, over time, I appreciated the image quality I was getting with prime lenses. I started with the 35mm f/1.4 and found it to be a great focal length for landscape shots. I have tested Canon’s 24mm f/1.4, and it is a wonderful lens, but I found that I rarely shot that wide except when inside cathedrals in Ireland.

    Holy Trinity Canon Prime Lenses Canon 35mm f/1.4 35L
    Canon EOS 1v and Canon 35mm f/1.4; Kodak Portra 400

    My next prime lens purchase was the Canon 200mm f/2.8. It was nice to have the reach and it was a nice price for an L lens, but it was a bit too long for my taste. I opted for the Canon 135mm f/2 and fell in love. It was gorgeous for shooting portraits and for details while traveling.

    Holy Trinity Canon Prime Lenses 135mm f/2 135L
    Canon EOS 1v and Canon 135mm f/2; CineStill 50D

    The final piece in the puzzle was the Canon 50mm f/1.2. That is the lens which allowed me to toss aside the crutch of the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8. I still use the 24-70 but have found that I reach for the 50mm more often than not.

    Holy Trinity Canon Prime Lenses 50mm f/1.2 50L
    Canon EOS 1v, Canon 50mm f/1.2; Kodak Ektachrome E100

    What about Canon’s 85mm f/1.2? I did give it a try. I rented it for our June 2017 trip to Nevis and it’s beautiful. I love the images from it. What I didn’t love was first, the price tag, and second, the weight. There is a significant difference in the weight and balance of the 50L on both my film and digital SLRs as compared to the 85L.

    Holy Trinity Canon Prime Lenses 85mm f/1.2 85L
    Canon EOS 1v and Canon 85mm f/1.2; Fuji Pro 400H

    Our next big trip will be in August to London, and I expect that I will have to keep weight to a minimum. If I pitch one of the lenses (and I would have a tough time doing that), I’ll probably take only the 50L and the 135L, as those account for most of my shots while traveling and I can do pretty much everything I hope to do with those lenses.

    Holy Trinity Canon Prime Lenses 50mm f/1.2 50L
    Canon EOS 1v and Canon 50mm f/1.2; Kodak Ektar 100

    What’s your “Holy Trinity” of lenses for travel? Are they prime or zoom lenses? I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts in the comments.

    All film processed and scanned by the best photo lab ever, Richard Photo Lab.

    Interested in Caribbean travel? Check out our sister site, My Irie Time! Want to learn more about what gear we use for travel? Take a look at what’s in our camera bag.

  • Canon EF 135mm f/2

    Canon EF 135mm f/2

  • Getting Started in Film Photography for Under $50

    Getting Started in Film Photography for Under $50

    Film photography has generated a lot of interest recently, but not everyone is willing to plunge in and spend hundreds of dollars on gear if they’re not quite sure.  Others are interested in getting the gear, but aren’t quite sure if they can get their head around fully-manual cameras or be able to handle manual focusing.  At a relatively low cost, you can dip your toe into film photography and see if it’s right for you.  For digital shooters, here is a way to get started in film photography for under $50. This post is written from the perspective of a lifelong Canon shooter, but many of these suggestions carry over equally well to Nikon or other systems.

     

    I started shooting an SLR when my children were small, starting with a Canon Elan II, which my husband purchased for me along with a Sigma lens recommended by the folks at B&H Photo. The Elan II was an “enthusiast” or “prosumer” camera, fitting in between the professional line and the cameras, like the Rebel, targeting the vast majority of consumers.    The Elan II was released in 1995, mine was purchased in 1997, and was manufactured until 2000.The camera served me well, and I shot some of my favorite shots with that camera, a camera which I still own today.

    In 2000, the Elan II was replaced by the Elan 7 and 7E.  In 2004, the 7/7E was replaced by the Elan 7n and 7nE, and I upgraded to the 7n.

     

    In 2007, with some resistance, I purchased a Canon DLSR, the 40D.  I upgraded in 2010 to the Canon 5D Mark II, but in the last few years returned to shooting film.  I borrowed a Mamiya C330 to  play with film, but it wasn’t the right fit, so I went through my old stash of film gear and pulled out the 7n. All my lenses which I had collected over the years worked with both my Elan II and the Elan 7n, as they both have the EF mount.  It cost me nothing more than a couple rolls of film and the cost of processing to see if this pursuit was worthwhile.  I found that all the cameras in the line felt the same in my hands and the controls were essentially the same.  It turned out that it was easy to transition back and enjoy film, more than when I started.

    Since then, I’ve purchased a couple medium format cameras and purchased my dream SLR, the Canon 1v, but it got me thinking.  If you are a Canon DSLR shooter, the transition back to experimenting with film is easy and relatively inexpensive.  Today, the Elan II can be purchased on eBay for $30 to $50.  All of your lenses work on that camera.  For less than $50 plus a few rolls of film and development costs, you can have fun with some film.  You may just find that it is more enjoyable.  You may find the pleasure of composition before clicking the shutter, and the excitement of seeing your images upon return from the lab.  Film photography does not require a mastery of manual controls or manual focus.  You can give it a try  with the comforts of a camera so similar to the DSLR you already own that you feel at home from the start.  You may just find that your digital imagery improves, as you take more time to create each image as if you only had 36 clicks available.  You’ll find out you don’t need all 36, and find that you are shooting less, and shooting better.

    So give it a whirl! I have only this word of caution — prepare to get GAS, Gear Acquisition Syndrome.  There are a lot of great film cameras out there and new films from a variety of film manufacturers you never knew existed.  You’ll find yourself joining Facebook groups devoted to film photography, and looking forward to every new podcast on the subject.  It’s an addiction, so be responsible, and enjoy!

    Since getting back into film photography, I’ve purchased the vast majority of my film gear at KEH.com.  The equipment always meets or exceeds expectations. At the time of writing this post, I saw several Canon Elan IIE’s in good condition on KEH for under $50.  If you’re starting completely from scratch, you can get a great lens, the Canon 50mm f/1.8 II for under $95.  Click a link to KEH in the sidebar to give us a commission for purchases there, or explore some of the cameras they offer here:


    For film, I purchase my film from B&H Photo.  I am an affiliate for both and receive commissions from any purchase using these links.  Thank you!

  • Canon Elan 7n

    Canon Elan 7n

  • Nevis, St. Kitts & Nevis

    Nevis, St. Kitts & Nevis

    Nevis is a 36 square-mile island, the center of which is Nevis Peak, which rises 3,232 feet. Nevis was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, and was named “Nuestra Senora de Las Nieves,” “Our Lady of the Snows,” a description of the small cloud, resembling snow, which is nearly always present at its peak.