Fujifilm Week Day Three - The 16-55 f:2.8 Lens

The Fujifilm customer who has come in to get a small mirrorless camera may well find themselves looking at a general-purpose zoom lens to go with the X -series body. We think in these term: " I don't know what I will be taking, so I better get something that does everything...".

Fair enough, but everything is some cases is more everything than it is in others...I'll propose several scenarios:

1. You are a small person with small hands and you will be travelling. You want a zoom lens for townscapes and scenery. Most of what you do will be in the daylight.

Step up to door no. 1 and collect your Fujinon 18-55mm f: 2.8-4 lens. It will be as small a zoom as you can find, and perfect for the subjects you need. If it gets dark, turn on the flash. PS: There is an anti-shake mechanism in the lens.

2. You are medium sized person who will be going to Africa and Alaska. You want a zoom that can bring the animals visually close while you stay far away. ( The lions and bears would prefer this too...)

Step up to door no. 2 and receive your Fujinon 18-135 f:3.5-5.6 lens. It has an anti shake mechanism as well, and this is more useful to you at the long end.

3. You area sturdy sort with one of the larger Fujifilm X cameras. You need to do interior shots in churches, restaurants, and theatre. You need all the width you can get and all the light that they won't give you... you need to...

Step up to door no. 3 and try the Fujinon 16-55 f:2.8 lens.

Constant aperture, so that if you are zooming you do not get a drop in exposure - and your flash work can be consistent. f:2.8 so you have another stop of light feeding into the sensor and better focusing. 16mm so you get a wider interior shot - considerably wider than the 18mm - each additional millimetre in wide angle increases the angle of view more and more.

No anti shake on this one - you'll have to be steady. And it's going to be heavier than the others.  More glass, more weight. But it does have a hidden advantage - extra sealing in and behind the lens - that's the rubber gasket you see.

Is one lens more "pro" than another? No. The user may be, for what it is worth. They are extremely well-made optical tools - the photographer just needs to know how to use them.

Not To Be Missed - And I Missed It...

That Saturday morning was one of those occasions for which the word " Drat!" was coined. I missed out on something that was worth seeing.

Alex Cearns, who operates Houndstooth Studio in North Perth came to the Shoot Photography premises and gave a free two-hour talk about her work.

She's the lady who does animal  personality portraiture. If that phrase seems strange, then look more closely at your cat, dog, goanna, or right whale and observe them - they do have personalities. Note as well that they will be observing you and drawing their own conclusions. If it is unfavourable, you may get bit.

But moving along from that, the report I received is that the room was packed, there were a great many images shown of all sorts of animals, Alex gave photo hints and tips, and  everyone had a good time.

I believe that the representatives of the Tamron agents also made specials available for their lenses and some of the other products they handle - Lowepro bags for instance. Tamron lenses have been a part of the Australian photographic scene for as far back as I can remember and they are excellent performers as well as good value for money. Some of them are unique in their focal length combinations.

This will give you a good look at Tamron lenses.

And you can see some of what Houndstooth Studio does here.

Woo Hoo! Here Comes Houndstooth! And Tamron!

Many of us have been bitten by the photo bug in our time. I am willing to bet that Alex Cearns - the photographer at Houndstooth Studios in North Perth - has been bitten by lots of other critters as well...

She'll be telling us how she got started and what equipment she uses - Tamron lenses will figure largely in the presentation - and showing some of the great images that come from her studio. Not just dog and cat pics, but Professional dog and cat pics...and a lot more as well.

The WA Account manager for Tamron will also be there to talk Tamron.

It's to be at the Shoot Photography Workshops  - 232 Stirling Street, Perth from 10:00 AM to mid-day on Saturday, 20th of June and you can register now as it is a free event.

Pop on over to the Camera Electronic website and put your name down. We can't guarantee that there will be cute puppies and kittens but I would still bet on it.