Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Canon's Cheap 50mm

I carried my two prime lens setup around Peebles Island this morning, using mostly the 50mm lens. I'm finding that 16mm pushes background objects much farther way than I'd like. Something you don't really notice with an untrawide zoom lens as you can always zoom in a bit. This could be an argument for the RF 16-28mm f/2.8 lens.

I've only been out with the cheap 50mm f/1.8 once since picking it up so decided to use it this morning. I really like the 45-50mm focal length. Objects seem as near or far as our eyes really see them. The problem is the field of view which, in contrast to our eyes constantly move around to capture a wide vista, is severely limiting. A roughly 50mm focal length on a larger sensor like the Fujifilm GFX cameras would be a help as it has the same benefit but with the field of view of a 39.5mm lens on a full frame body.

I'll predict that if I start using this lens a lot and enjoy it with quality results I'll end up wanting the RF 50mm f/1.2L lens. I have a lot of different filters for that filter diameter including the 500D closeup lens. It would be a really nice setup.

But, at least for now, it's the cheap RF 50mm f/1.8 STM.

RF 50mm f/1.8 STM, f/8, 1/500 sec., ISO 100

RF 50mm f/1.8 STM, f/8, 1/350 sec., ISO 100

RF 50mm f/1.8 STM, f/8, 1/350 sec., ISO 100

RF 50mm f/1.8 STM, f/8, 1/30 sec., ISO 100

RF 50mm f/1.8 STM, f/8, 1/125 sec., ISO 100

RF 50mm f/1.8 STM, f/8, 1/180 sec., ISO 100


Monday, June 15, 2026

Back to Cohoes Falls

After some torrential rain overnight I was hoping for some decent water levels at Cohoes Falls this morning. But it was not to be. 

Conditions were nice, though, and I had Falls View Park all to myself. I didn't even see the Brookfield steward who is always present when the gates are unlocked. 

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 45mm, f/8, 1/180 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 60mm, f/8, 1/125 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 35mm, f/8, 1/125 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm, f/8, 1/180 sec., ISO 100

RF 16mm f/2.8 STM, f/8, 1/500 sec., ISO 100

RF 16mm f/2.8 STM, f/8, 1/180 sec., ISO 100


Thursday, June 11, 2026

This Summer's Project

When I do a seasonal project I use meteorological rather than astrological seasons. So the seasons start March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1.

This summer's project is the 16mm prime lens and the gallery is located in the Prime Lenses folder. As always, ongoing projects are listed in the sidebar to the right.

Here are some shots from a walk around Waterford shortly after sunrise this morning.

RF 16mm f/2.8, f/4, 1/125 sec., ISO 100

RF 16mm f/2.8, f/4, 1/250 sec., ISO 100

RF 16mm f/2.8, f/5.6, 1/180 sec., ISO 100

RF 16mm f/2.8, f/5.6, 1/90 sec., ISO 100

RF 16mm f/2.8, f/5.6, 1/500 sec., ISO 100

RF 16mm f/2.8, f/5.6, 1/250 sec., ISO 100