Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Readjusting to 28mm

My most recent prime lens focal length concentrations have been 35mm, then 50mm, then 45mm and now back to 28mm. The three longer focal lengths seem to not be that different and moving a few feet forward or backward, when that's possible, can compensate for the focal length difference. All three can be considered a relatively "normal" focal length. Normal in the sense of how far away objects seem and that their size seems normal. 

28mm, however, feels different in that it is clearly over the borderline between normal and wide angle. Objects that can fill the foreground with the longer lenses move backward at 28mm. Foreground subjects either need to be larger or closer. And yes, readjusting is the right word. I had this lens a couple of summers ago and used it a lot but haven't concentrated on the focal length since then. Back in 2022, I had a Sigma 28mm Art lens that I used with a Canon 5DS R, a great combination.

Earlier today, I parked along the Mohawk River under the Twin Bridges, formally known as the Thaddeus Kosciusko Bridge, and followed a bike/hiking path into the Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve. All of these images are made with the RF 28mm pancake lens,

RF 28mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/750 sec., ISO 100

RF 28mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/500 sec., ISO 100

RF 28mm f/2.8, f/4, 1/8000 sec., ISO 200

RF 28mm f/2.8, f/2.8, 1/6000 sec., ISO 100

RF 28mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/250 sec., ISO 100

RF 28mm f/2.8, f/5.6, 1/3000 sec., ISO 100


Saturday, April 18, 2026

28mm and 70mm

It's been nice enough lately for leaves and blossoms to progress but the next few days will be more like February than April. Here are some shots from Oakwood Cemetery with the 28mm pancake lens and from Saratoga National Historical Park with the 28-70mm zoom.

RF 28mm f/2.8, f/8, 1/350 sec., ISO 100

RF 28mm f/2.8, f/22, 1/125 sec., ISO 200

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

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/8, 1/350 sec., ISO 400

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm, f/2.8, 1/1000 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm, f/8, 1/2500 sec., ISO 100

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Moving On

Sometimes after a gear change transaction is completed there are regrets. This time my only regret is that I was cheated by MPB in their assessment of my trade in lenses and hoods as I ended up with significantly less than I should have. I could have declined the deal and had them send everything back to me but once a decision to exchange lenses is made it's hard to go back. I suspect MPB knows that.

But I consider this a net positive as I've resolved to do no further transactions with them. Their short term gain, my long term gain. 

I am very happy, cost aside, with the decision to exchange the 24mm f/1.8 and 45mm f/1.2 lenses for the 28-70mm f/2.8 lens. With the addition of the 28mm pancake lens I have a very small option and a very versatile zoom option. The 85mm f/2 half macro lens will also see occasional use.

Both the color and B&W versions of the Vertical 28 project are active with links on the sidebar to the right. Here are some shots added to the project along with some others from yesterday with the zoom lens.

Matton Shipyard
RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/4, 1/500 sec., ISO 100

Cluett Peabody & Co. Bleach Plant
RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 66mm, f/8, 1/350 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 50mm, f/5.6, 1/750 sec., ISO 100

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

Mohawk River
RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 28mm, f/8, 1/500 sec., ISO 100

RF 28-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm, f/11, 1/180 sec., ISO 100