Getting the most out of my speciality lenses

aMac · Jul 7, 2007

I guess I should start with introductions.

Hello! I got into DSLR photography 3 years ago and because my day-job revolves around moving images, it has been more of a nice hobby than a career move (though it's a pretty complimentary one!)
I still use the same 300D and I've gradually been collecting lenses for it. Currently I have the kit lens (now in storage), a Sigma 17-70, Canon 75-300 (it's slow at 4-5.6 but it has IS which is nice) and my two special lenses, a Sigma 105mm macro and the Sigma 8mm fisheye.

These last two I guess are my guilty purchases. I bought the macro about a year and a half ago, and besides having fun with it, I've not had too many practical needs for it! I think I've used it for 1 session of product shots, and the only other time I break it out is when I need a faster long lens normally for indoor stuff (its 2.8)

The fisheye I only bought this week and I've not had real chance to break it in yet. I shoot a lot of band videos and can get very close up to sporting events so I can at least see me getting more use out of this lens at least. Not to mention the easier panoramic photography.

The question is, should I feel bad about not using the lenses much? How should I find more use for the macro? Also, what about less cliché uses for a fisheye?

I guess having spare lenses around you only break out when you need to isn't a bad thing, but if I really decide I don't need the macro for example, I could probably sell it and put the money towards a new body. What do you think?

jsmharley · Jul 7, 2007

You could always toss your macro over the big pond to me :lmao: I will be more than happy to keep the dust off of it :sexywink:

Not to sure you could ever have to many lenses IMHO.

fmw · Jul 7, 2007

Nobody uses fisheyes very much. I use mine about 1% of my shooting time. No surprise to me.

aMac · Jul 7, 2007

Oh god, believe me I don't expect to get a huge range of use out of the fisheye; it's a specially lens for a reason, but I know I will have use for it.

Actually since writing the last line in my first post, I've been thinking about how I should indeed just flog the macro for now. I doubt I'll need 1:1 macros again any time soon and I can live with using the zoom lens for macros if I need them.

table1349 · Jul 7, 2007

fmw said:
Nobody uses fisheyes very much. I use mine about 1% of my shooting time. No surprise to me.

Althought I don't own a fisheye for my digital, like you, I would use it very seldom. You might think about starting a small side business of renting it out as there are probably not a lot of people that would use one all the time but would rent one at a good price to play with.:lmao: :lol:

:lmao:

table1349 · Jul 7, 2007

aMac said:
Oh god, believe me I don't expect to get a huge range of use out of the fisheye; it's a specially lens for a reason, but I know I will have use for it.

Actually since writing the last line in my first post, I've been thinking about how I should indeed just flog the macro for now. I doubt I'll need 1:1 macros again any time soon and I can live with using the zoom lens for macros if I need them.

My 100mm Macro is one of my favorite lenses. Very sharp and a great focal length for portraits etc.

JIP · Jul 7, 2007

jsmharley said:
You could always toss your macro over the big pond to me :lmao: I will be more than happy to keep the dust off of it Not to sure you could ever have to many lenses IMHO.

I agree I'll even pay the shipping.

Garbz · Jul 8, 2007

I use my 105mm macro for everything from macro to portraits to sports photography. But that's beside the point. The problem here is you seem to be waiting for appropriate photos to come to you.

There's an entire world of things that can be photographed which may seem mundane until you blow them up to macro size. Grab the macro and run out into the garden and see if you can find very small animals flowers or other interesting things. This is a very hands on and dirty approach. Don't limit yourself to product shots or you'll never use it.

The fisheye can have a lot of interesting effects but just like the Macro you'll never realise the potential unless you use it. One way to go about realising what art can be created is to just take your camera and ONLY the fisheye into town and set a goal to come back with no less then 50 interesting photographs. You'll realise the perspective distortion can create a whole world of effects if you are forced to live with it. Try taking photos of people and buildings with it. Go on the top floor of a shopping mall and shoot straight down, or stand in the city centre and shoot straight up.

aMac · Jul 8, 2007

You're right. I should stop trying to justify the lenses so much. I do actually love just seeing how things look up close at 1:1, and that should be enough!