Determination to take the Bokeh Monster

I'm writing a post which I can write only now.

I make it a point of taking longer time examining what lens to buy and refrain from impulsive buying so that I do not fall into lens swamp during my photographer activities.

It is real that I invested more than one million yen for photography while six years have passed since I bought a DSLR for the first time, and three and a half years have passed since I started this blog. But oppositely speaking, the investment is within such an small amount because I designed the smallest portfolio for photography.

Smallest Portfolio for Photography

Wide-angle zoom (12-24mm)
Standard zoom (24-70mm)
Telephoto zoom (70-200mm)
Fixed focal length macro (90mm)
Extender (2x)

The three zoom lenses and the extender of 2x enable me to take photos of most of the focal length. Plus, the addition of the macro lens enables me to get closer to objects of photography so I can take photos in most of the cases. This portfolio works well.

I ended up owning these lenses.

Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 IIDG HSM
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II US
Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD
Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di MACRO 1：1 VC USD
Kenko DIGITAL TELEPLUS PRO300 2X DGX
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

To tell the truth, I used to use a fixed focal length of 50mm instead of the standard zoom during the beginning of my photography training. For I wanted to learn the frame of 50mm in my sense, and also wanted to achieve the skill of taking a walk to reframe objects of photography.

Looking at this portfolio now, the standard zoom covers the focal length of 50mm so the fixed focal length lens of 50mm is no longer used in my photography. I do not care how heavy my lenses are so I always carry my standard lens of f/2.8. This is why I never use the 50mm now. But you know, even now I believe that photographers should take photos with a fixed focal length lens of 50mm in the beginning of their photography lives. There's no regret in my life, either.

Then, what is my possible next lens? I was tackling this challenge to find out whether there is any lens to buy now.

One challenge was to replace the wide-angle lens by a brighter one. I was at a loss whether to buy this when Sigma announced a new superior one. Because the aperture of my wide-angle lens was just 4/4.5-5.6, I was curious about a brighter one.

But I judged that there would be no big change in using a wide-angle lens, and if any, only when I shooted starscapes. Plus, if I had bought the f/4 lens to replace the f/4.5-5.6, I would be highly likely to fall into lens swamp. This is why I decided not to buy it.

(Lens swamp is a literal translation of Japanese half-joking term "lens numa", meaning a situation in which a photographer can't stop buying more and more attractive but sometimes unnecessary lenses.)

My idea is that the judgement of buying a new lens should be based on only one point - whether there is any picture only available by buying that lens.

Last year I decided to by the standard zoom lens because I judged that I needed the picture quality, portability and angle versatility of this single lens for my friend's wedding. I thought that I would miss some of the greatest scenes during the tough wedding shooting unless I bought this lens. I ended up being successful in the wedding, and the fixed focal length lens of 50mm is now always in my storage. *laugh*

... And I have been interested in one lens. This is Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM. It is some times called "Bokeh Monster" because of its strongest power to capture the moment and the world in front. This lens is especially effective in capturing a landscape with human beings. It is often said that photographers are not controlling this lens but are rather at the mercy of this lens because of its too-high quality...

I instinctively felt that I needed this lens to capture the best of the space called Minamizawa Hydrangea Mountain. This is why I decided to buy this the other day. I have several images of the photos which I should take there. Then, all depend on whether I can be in the best place in the best moment.