My new baby - Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8

This is an ultra-wide angle lens with a fast f/2.8 aperture for better photography in low-light situations. This is best used for landscape photography. Also, we can make use of the lens distortion in our advantage to create artistic or mild fish eye effects. This will definitely be one of the must-bring lenses in my camera bag when I travel.

The only downside is the shorter zoom length (11-16mm). As my current walk-around lens is 24-105mm, there is a gap of 17-23mm, which after much deliberation; I decided it should not be a hindrance to get this f/2.8 lens. Well, I guess I can always try to take a few steps forward or backwards?

I was further convinced to get the Hoya HD ultra-thin UV filter which the shop assistant claims this is best for a wide angle lens and it also consists of 8 layers of anti reflective multi coating; is water and oil repellent/ scratch and stain resistant.

I can't wait to try out my new lens!

Photo Credits : http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/11-16mm.htm

General Purpose Lens

Yours truly wants to buy another lens to replace the current kit lens EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS. (I have to use 'want' because after much consideration, I realized this does not quite justify to a 'need' *shrugs*).

I want a new general purpose lens because :-

1) I need to cover the gap for focal length 55 to 70mm

2) I need the lens to work better in low light

After much homework, the choice is narrowed down to Canon EF-S15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM. I may also consider third party lenses to take advantage of a bigger aperture at a lower price.

The other Canon lenses that were in my top considerations

EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM

Who wouldn’t love a lens with a f/2.8 aperture? But they involve bigger pieces of glass which makes them heavier and much more expensive. However, this lens does not come with an image stabilizer (IS). IS in the lens gives up to four-stop advantage and in my humble opinion, 4 stops is significant and it is a must to have an IS for a "walk around” lens.

EF-S17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

This will defeat my initial purpose of getting the new lens. I need to close the gap between focal length 55 to 70mm.

It is important to know why we want to buy another lens. If my friends were to tell me about their dilemma on choosing lenses, I will also throw back the same question, "WHY do you need a new lens?"

The Art of Observation

Date : 17th Jan 2010

Location : Wessex Estate and Villa Frangipani

Lens : EFS18-55MM f3.5-f5.6 IS

The Art of Observation - finding something interesting out of an ordinary place.

I had chosen the shooting mode 'AE' ie aperture priority and set the aperture between f5 to f5.6. This is helpful as it lets the camera decides on the faster shutter speeds and ensure a sharper photo. If I had used the Manual mode, I will have to keep adjusting the settings when I move around - in a building, car, under the shade, etc. The AE mode helps to compensate for changes in sunlight, indoor light and other different lights. The aperture has a big impact on the Depth of Field. If we want a shallow Depth of Field (Focus is sharp and background is blurred), we need a large aperture eg f/1.8. Smaller apertures have bigger f-stop numbers, so a f/1.8 is infact a larger aperture than f/22. Sounds confusing yah! But after awhile, this just come naturally to the head.

Settings : f5, 1/1600, ISO 400 and WB @ Auto, 18MM

Settings : f5, 1/1600, ISO 400, WB @ Auto, 30MM

Settings : f5, 1/250, ISO 200, WB @ Auto, 34MM
Settings : f5, 1/2000 ISO 200, WB @ Auto, 24MM

Settings : f5.6, 1/100, ISO 200, WB @ Auto, 55MM

Settings : f5, 1/60, ISO 400, WB @ Auto, 39MM
Settings : f5, 1/500, ISO 400, WB @ Auto, 36MM

Settings : f5, 1/640, ISO 400, WB @ Auto, 32MM

Settings : f5, 1/125, ISO 200, WB @ Auto, 39MM

This is my favourite for that day. I saw KK taking a photography of the 'No smoking' sign and quickly snapped this from behind him.

Settings : f5, 1/20, ISO 100, WB @ Auto, 18MM

First in Year 2010

Date/Time : 1st January 2010 at 0000
Location : The Sail, Singapore

Lens : EFS18-55MM f3.5-f5.6 IS

Settings : f4.5, 1/13, ISO 1600, WB @ Auto, 24MM
(Trimmed) Close up of the streaks

A smaller aperture creates slim streaks while a bigger aperture will create chunky streaks. I took the above picture with a bigger aperture. All the fireworks photos were taken with a tripod and I merely clicked away. Occassionally I would zoom in/out a little to get a different composition.

Settings : f4.5, 1/13, ISO 1600, WB @ Auto

Focal Length : 32MM
(Demonstration)

The best time to take photos of the fireworks is when the event had just started. After that the black sky became very smoky (as above).

Always use a tripod! Because you will need a longer shutter speed to capture the movement of the fireworks.

I like the photos that I took of the fireworks. But they looked a little flat though; lack of the 3D feel. It could be due to the view that I took it from - face to face.