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Lens changes your language.

Jeremy Suyker

Photographer from France

zoom
LENSES MF 85mm F1.4
CAMERA SONY
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/320 sec
ISO 1000
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

Changing your lens is
like changing your language.

Like me, you are used to working with the same 35mm, a sudden shift to an 85mm can be intimidating. It feels like starting from scratch and having to learn a new alphabet, new syntax.

It’s confusing, even destabilizing and the temptation to give up is great. But photography is an art of perseverance. A photographer is fueled by doubts and uncertainty, and I love photography for that very reason.

You never know where you are going; or if it’s going to be any good. It’s like digging a hole in the ground searching for gold and not knowing if there is any gold to be found.

This is how I was feeling the other day when I put the lovely MF 85mm F1.4 on my Sony Alpha rii as
I was preparing for an all-day trek in La Réunion.

zoom
LENSES MF 85mm F1.4
CAMERA SONY
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/100 sec
ISO 1000
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -
zoom
LENSES MF 85mm F1.4
CAMERA SONY
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/400 sec
ISO 800
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

This tiny island in the Indian Ocean, located east of Madagascar, is a natural gem of valleys and volcanos, a paradise for trekkers. Each October, the island hosts ‘La Diagonale des Fous’, one of the most difficult Ultra Trails in the world. But we are getting away from our story here. As I was saying, I’m not a frequent 85mm user, since as a reporter, I prioritize angles from 24mm to 50mm. In my mind, the 85mm is a perfect lens for portrait photography as well as staged shows (concerts, opera, theatre, etc).

I never really considered this lens for landscape photography, and I am not the biggest fan of that field. So, I figured it would be a superb challenge to use the 85 mm on my trekking day, focusing on details instead of sprawling landscapes (which is what most people would be tempted to do in front of any jaw-breaking scenery - including myself).

zoom
LENSES MF 85mm F1.4
CAMERA SONY
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/3200 sec
ISO 800
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -
zoom
LENSES MF 85mm F1.4
CAMERA SONY
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/2500 sec
ISO 800
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

There I was, sweating under the Indian Ocean sun and trying to keep up the pace with my friend.

Our objective was to walk down the slope of a volcano into a valley called ‘Grand Bassin’. From there, we would make our way to a waterfall and have lunch before heading back. The first thing I noticed about the 85mm was its weight, or lack thereof. It felt nice not to be bothered by the camera while I was descending the volcano. While the Samyang 85mm is not the most discrete lens, its weight seemed almost imperceptible!

zoom
LENSES MF 85mm F1.4
CAMERA SONY
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/2000 sec
ISO 800
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -
zoom
LENSES MF 85mm F1.4
CAMERA SONY
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/1250 sec
ISO 160
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

To add a little spice to my Samyang’s adventure, I chose to shoot in black and white, mostly because I think color landscape photography is boring and also because I am a big Ansel Adams fan. The walk down Grand Bassin went smoothly and when fine, we reached the waterfall, it was time for lunch, so we enjoyed the fresh water, relaxing our tired muscles and weary bones.

zoom
LENSES MF 85mm F1.4
CAMERA SONY
DIAPHRAGM F1.0
SPEED 1/400 sec
ISO 500
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

I then wanted to investigate the stabilization of the 85mm, so I took a coupled of shots from the waterfall with a slow speed shutter and was very pleased by the result once again.

It was soon time to end our little recreation and make our way back to our car. only this time going up. We had been foolish to think it would be fine to start the ascension after 4 pm. The heat hit us by surprise and it quickly dawned on us that the end of the trek would be a nightmare. Surprisingly, I managed to get some of my best shots while enduring a lot of unnecessary physical pain!

zoom
LENSES MF 85mm F1.4
CAMERA SONY
DIAPHRAGM F1.4
SPEED 1/125 sec
ISO 400
EXPOSURE Multi-Segment
PHOTOMETRY -
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

What I can say about the 85mm is that it is not the most practical lens if you are going to shoot subjects in

Being a manual lens, the focus is not always easy to get through the Sony viewfinder. I would recommend it for portrait landscape photography. and if you enjoy working calmly and taking your time, then it’s a good pick. If you are into sports photography, forget it. Over all, I wouldn’t say that the 85mm is my personal cup of tea, but that has nothing to do with Samyang. In fact, the lens surprised me during and after the shoot as I was looking at the pictures on my laptop (as featured) and found myself taken aback by how sharp the images were. While I will never be Ansel Adams and cannot speak for the man, I’m pretty assured he would have liked to give this lens a try!

Jeremy Suyker

www.jeremysuyker.com

Jeremy Suyker (b.1985) is a French documentary photographer and reporter specialized in sociocultural and contemporary issues. He engaged his career in 2011 to report on the aftermath of the Sri Lankan civil war. The following year he embarked for Myanmar where historical political changes were occurring. Jeremy travels to Iran since 2013, documenting the country’s rich culture and history. The Persian Factory, his piece on Tehran’s underground art scene, has been published worldwide. Parallel to his journalistic engagements, he is pursuing personal projects around the Black Sea region, Central Asia and Istanbul. His works can be found in The National Geographic, The Sunday Times Magazine, GEO, Newsweek Japan, The Washington Post, Stern, Der Spiegel, Internazionale, Le Figaro Magazine, L’Equipe Magazine, Slate and 6Mois.

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Samyang’s Guide to Achieving the Optimal Angle of View

The perfect spacing and distance are always necessary when shooting all kinds of subjects, including people, to give them a proper relationship with the beautiful space around them. So, what’s the exact distance that helps you best appreciate a work of art, or a photo?

The correct answer is the diagonal length of the full frame of a subject.

표준화각 자료 이미지
표준화각 자료 이미지

The best standpoint from which to appreciate the full view of a subject is the distance of the diagonal length of the subject frame. This wider angle is superior to standing closer at a 50 degree angle to get a more detailed view. This notion of an ideal distance or view point is also applicable in the world of photography.

For still images, keeping a distance equal to the diagonal length of the full image surface is recommended. The full frame sensor of a digital camera is 36 x 24mm and the diagonal length is 43.26mm so any distance close to this number is nearer to the ideal than the currently accepted industry standard of 50mm.

Back when film cameras were common, 45mm was the industry standard and this continued as reflex cameras needed extra space to fit a mirror. However, as mirrorless cameras become more popular again, there has been a need to return to this industry standard…which is the impetus for the Samyang AF 45mm F1.8 FE. With less distortion than a 35mm lens and wider angles than a 55mm lens, the Samyang AF 45mm F1.8 FE is a perfect lens for portraits, landscapes, architecture photography, and pictures of pets.

What is Preset Aperture Control Function?

On the Preset Aperture Control function, the aperture blade operates smoothly like a "De-clicked lens", which is advantageous for video recording.
Fujifilm cameras are engineered to control the aperture according to the minimum exposure value(F-stop), so when the camera controls the aperture, it blinks momentarily to set the proper exposure.

AF 75mm F1.8 X intentionally disconnects the communication with the camera body and the lens itself on the Preset Aperture Control function, so it is possible to smoothly adjust the exposure without flickering. ISO and shutter speed are adjusted according to the changed exposure by controlling the aperture, so the exposure value can be changed even with the 1/2 F-stop.

What is Preset Aperture Control Function?

On the Preset Aperture Control function, the aperture blade operates smoothly like a "De-clicked lens", which is advantageous for video recording.
Fujifilm cameras are engineered to control the aperture according to the minimum exposure value(F-stop), so when the camera controls the aperture, it blinks momentarily to set the proper exposure.

AF 75mm F1.8 X intentionally disconnects the communication with the camera body and the lens itself on the Preset Aperture Control function, so it is possible to smoothly adjust the exposure without flickering. ISO and shutter speed are adjusted according to the changed exposure by controlling the aperture, so the exposure value can be changed even with the 1/2 F-stop.

What is Recommended Settings for Preset Aperture Control Function?

The Preset Aperture Control function operates only when shooting video(Movie mode) and the focusing mode of the camera is set to AF mode. Please set the aperture at f/1.8 before switching the "Custom Switch" to "Mode 2. It is recommended to set the "Exposure mode" as A mode (Aperture Priority AE) or M mode (Manual Exposure).

* How to use the “Preset Aperture Control” function?

1) Camera Body Setting
      AF Mode → Video Mode ('A' or 'M' mode) → Set the Aperture @F1.8
(2) Lens Setting
      Switch your "Custom Switch” to “Mode 2(M2)"
(3) Now, you're ready to use the Preset Aperture Control function with your focus ring

What is Recommended Settings for Preset Aperture Control Function?

The Preset Aperture Control function operates only when shooting video(Movie mode) and the focusing mode of the camera is set to AF mode. Please set the aperture at f/1.8 before switching the "Custom Switch" to "Mode 2. It is recommended to set the "Exposure mode" as A mode (Aperture Priority AE) or M mode (Manual Exposure).

* How to use the “Preset Aperture Control” function?

1) Camera Body Setting
      AF Mode → Video Mode ('A' or 'M' mode) → Set the Aperture @F1.8
(2) Lens Setting
      Switch your "Custom Switch” to “Mode 2(M2)"
(3) Now, you're ready to use the Preset Aperture Control function with your focus ring

[What is Dolly Shot? How to shoot easily]

[What is Dolly shot?]

A dolly shot, also referred to as a tracking shot or trucking shot, is a camera movement technique used by cinematographers to track and follow a subject in motion. To achieve this, the camera is mounted on a device called a "dolly," which facilitates smooth tracking movement. The dolly can move in front of, behind, or alongside the subject, which can be a person, a location, a product, or any other object of focus in the frame. Through this, you can control the emotional distance between the subject and the viewer by highlighting the audiovisual and dramatic effects.

[How to take a Dolly Shot simply by handheld]

Tip. If the moving distance is long, the camera may shake, so please shoot at a focal length between 35 and 100mm.
1. Stand at a distance of about 1.5 to 2 meters away from the subject.
2. Set the custom switch to MF and Mode 3 and adjust the focal length to about 100mm.
3. After focusing on the subject, set the aperture to F8~16.
4. Slowly turn the zoom ring to the left (towards the wide-angle end) while using your upper body and arms to move the camera toward your subject.
5. Dolly Shot complete!
※ When shooting from a farther distance from the subject, use a cart or gimbal for more stable shooting.

DSLR / Full Frame
1D X Mark Ⅱ
1D X
1Ds Mark Ⅲ
1Ds
5DsR
5Ds
5D Mark Ⅳ
5D Mark Ⅲ
6D Mark Ⅱ
6D
DSLR / APS-H
1D Mark Ⅲ
1D
Mirrorless / APS-C
M6
M5
M10
M3
M2
DSLR / APS-S
7D Mark Ⅱ
7D
80D
70D
60D
30D
D60
D30
77D (9000D)
760D (8000D / Rebel T6s)
1300D (Kiss X80 / Rebel T6)
1200D (Kiss X70 / Rebel T5)
200D (Kiss X9 / Rebel SL2)
800D (Kiss X9i / Rebel T7i)
700D (Kiss X9i / Rebel T7i)
100D (Kiss X7 / Rebel SL1)
650D (Kiss X6i / Rebel T4i)
600D (Kiss X5 / Rebel T3i)
550D (Kiss X4 / Rebel T2i)
500D (Kiss X3 / Rebel T1i)
1000D (Kiss F / Rebel XS)
450D (Kiss X2 / Rebel X냐)
DSLR / Full Frame
D850
D5
D810A
D4S
D810
D750
Df
D610
D4
D800
D800E
D600
D3s
D3x
D700
D3
DSLR / APS-C
D7500
D3400
D500
D5600
D7200
D5500
D3300
D7100
D5300
D5200
D7000
D300s
D300
DSLR / Full Frame
Z6
Z7
D810A
D4S
D750
D810A
DSLR / APS-C
D7200
D500
D3300
D5500
D5600
D3400
D7500

* Cameras released within 5 years from 2019 are tested.

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