Author: Kevin Ames

LENS EXPLORATION: 85mm F1.4 DG HSM

Sigma Pro explores the possibilities with the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG HSM lens

What’s bright, gives wonderful, round bokeh and is perfect for portraits, sports, street and product photography? Give up? It’s Sigma’s 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM lens. This beauty fits on both full frame and cropped sensor cameras.

The ideal portrait focal length is said to be twice to two and a half times the normal focal length. So before diving into the 85 let’s take a look at focal length and what it means in regards to sensor size. First, here’s a definition or two. Continue reading LENS EXPLORATION: 85mm F1.4 DG HSM

Exercise your Creativity with Prime Lenses

More and more I find my self shooting one of three Sigma prime lenses in the studio… the 50mm f/1.4, the 85mm f/1.4 and the 150mm f/2.8 OS macro. I noticed that zooms were making me a bit lazy. Hey! It’s a lot easier to twist a zoom ring that it is to move a 300 pound studio stand even if it is on wheels. So why do I do it? A couple of reasons. Perspective, perspective, perspective. I shoot full frame Canon cameras. Their normal focal length is almost 50mm. That’s about the same angle of view as we see with our eyes. I use the 50 mainly for full length photographs.

© 2013 Kevin Ames | Lens: 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM | Shutter speed: 1/125 sec | Aperture: F11 | ISO: 100

This may surprise you, it’s great for shooting lay downs like this Confederate Army jacket or this sword and scabbard from the civil war. It’s wonderfully sharp and has almost no distortion. Continue reading Exercise your Creativity with Prime Lenses

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