Paperweight. This is generally how the lens that is usually included in the “kit” when you buy a camera is generally known. And that’s what a colleague passionate about photography told me when she advised me when buying the camera several years ago. “This lens is useless, like a paperweight. ” Similarly, and so I spent a few years with the need to change it even if it didn’t reach my pocket, until I can take the first step and buy myself the Prince of Goals.
My perception over time is that I was partly right, but not quite, it is true that this is not a great goal, since the 18-55mm that usually include is not a marvel, however, it is not a slope that you can not even pull with anyone. Life is not in black and white, there are many beautiful grays worth enjoying.
- That’s why today I’m writing this article.
- Because this goal also has its advantages and I want to talk to you about it.
- I hope that when you finish reading it you have the idea that yes.
- You can take photos with the “paperweight”.
- That the best team is the one in your hands.
- I’ll give you some tips to get the most out of it and finally convince you that you have a useful tool and not a sad paperweight.
- Am I happy?.
The first thing I want is for you to get to know this tool a little better so you can find out why it’s or isn’t as bad as it’s painted.
The worst thing about these objectives is that it is true that they are not of high quality, that their optics are generally not the best on the market, that they can present vignettes and aberrations, that their constitution is generally fragile due to plastic and, above all, where I see the biggest problem, they are dark.
Now, the good thing is that, when you start, neither vignette nor chromatic aberrations should be a big problem, for the most demanding, advanced or professional, it will be, but for someone who learns the relationship between speed and aperture and ISO, who does not yet know what the focal length is or that the white balance sounds Chinese or vaguely , this is the last of your problems. On the other hand, although the optics are not the best, it is very versatile. The 1. 8mm lens is much better, yes, but it also limits me much more. When I talk about versatile, I mean you can zoom in and shoot at different focal lengths. In addition, it covers a considerable angle.
Knowing the above, I leave you some tips and tricks to make your paperweight a good friend.
I’m going to start with the issue of care because it’s important that this goal lasts you, as I said at the beginning, the last thing we want is for it to end up in the trash, right?Well, because of the fragility I have. As we had anticipated before, this lens requires a little more care when it comes to avoiding bumps or working in places with a lot of dust, if you take these precautions into account, it will last you longer and you will be able to apply the rest of the advice for longer. Here are some general recommendations for protecting your computer.
Each lens has its so-called sweet spot, which is where it is sharpest. It is usually two steps above its maximum aperture. Use this aperture when it suits you for better image quality.
One of the drawbacks of this goal is the lack of brightness, that is, its limited aperture does not let in as much light as other objectives and this frustrates because the photos are usually underexposed. With this goal, it is best to enjoy the times. of the day when there is light and to photograph more outdoors.
You can also enjoy the light in another direction, if you discover its magic, how it can be the protagonist or co-protagonist of the image, how the message can change depending on the type of light or how to pass through it, it does not matter with which lens or with which camera you are photographing . The magic of light overcomes any physical limitation.
This image was taken with a Canon 18-55
The aperture is directly related to blur, so these objectives are very limiting in this regard, you want a portrait with a blurry background to give it greater importance and you can’t, there are two tricks to improve this: the first, move your subject (or subject) away from the background, you will see how much blur is greater; the second, you walk away, the further away you are from your protagonist, the more blurry you will become. Take the test?
You can also take pictures after a little help with post-production and increase blur (but did you talk about that in point 8?).
Placing the camera on a tripod gives you the ability to keep the shutter open longer and thus get a larger light input, this will also compensate for the lack of light and open the doors to a long exposure, a magical world that you must discover.
If you want a little more game, you have the opportunity to use an investment ring, a very cheap resource that will allow you to flirt with the macro without having to change lenses, yes, the results will not be the same as with a specific macro lens but learn, research and know if you want to find your place in this photography section helps you. Once you know what you’re doing, can you take safe measures that won’t blindfold you?
Do you know what you can achieve with the use of filters?Okay, you have to scratch your pocket a little bit, but it’ll never get to extremes again and it’ll give a lot of life to the one you already have. Enjoy the focal point you have for landscapes and “paint” them with one (or more) of these filters.
While we generally recommend that you take the photo off the camera, that doesn’t mean you should completely forget about editing, the important thing is that you make the most of the camera and that the tweaks are minimal, but remember that editing Programs can help you improve the highlights, shadows, sharpness, etc.
The fact that you can’t blur with good openness is an additional problem, not only that you can’t get this beautiful effect, but you’ll have to take more care of the funds and the environment. During filming, it’s easy. focus on the protagonist and forget about the rest. Our brain is very good at getting attention on a point and there are things we don’t see, but the camera picks them up.
And then, when you see the image on the computer, you can find everything in the background, plus one that distracts with bold shapes or colors, but a bottle of butane, a garbage bag, a cardboard box or Grandpa’s dentures on the bedside table glass?You’re going to laugh now that you’ve read it, but you’d really be surprised how many “things” you can find in a photo with a specific background. And I assure you, they’re not in the background in sight. When you use wide apertures it is better because many of these elements “disappear”, with this lens it is up to you to do a small cleaning and eliminate anything that may interfere.
In short, remove distractions from the background and make sure it fits into the photo as one more piece of the puzzle.
If your image excites or tells a story that captures the viewer, your lens deficiencies will dissipate. Try to put all your passion into what you do and you can transmit it, here are some tips for achieving it and here to tell stories. .
The turn of the star. It does not matter if you are photographing with a smartphone, with a high cost lens or with the clipboard, whether or not you have a story or manage to convey a clear emotion, if you make a beautiful composition, success is If you want some resources, take a look to this.
I have one last extra tip to give you, always remember that the best team is the one in your hands, tomorrow may be someone else, but today it will be the one who gives you your best picture. trust him and you. Don’t forget.
Is this the only way to take a picture?And if you found it useful, before you pulled the trigger, I’d appreciate it if you’d share it. Do the world’s “kit” lenses need an extra dose of affection?. Thanks and I’ll see you soon.