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HELLO AGAIN

The Bloggers Guide to Camera Lenses - Introduction

Monday, 5 January 2015




One aspect of blogging I get asked about the most, by email or twitter is Photography. I love taking blog photos, it's something I enjoy the most about blogging. Although at times it can be frustrating, and take forever to arrange items in a composition you're happy with - but when you get it 'right' and can look back at a photo with pride and admiration it's one of the most rewarding feelings. 

Now, let me just tell you that do not by any means need a DSLR to be a blogger, in fact, I took the photograph of the lenses using my iPhone for example... but this series will focus on DSLR photography and lenses. 

One thing many people ask me the most is what camera I use to take photos, and what lights I use - yet the question I often get asked the least, and in my opinion the most important aspect of a photography kit is actually the lens. Over the past year one thing that I've found help me with my photography frustration is realizing how important it is to have 'the right tool, for the right job' - for instance, you wouldn't try to put a square peg in a round hole, so don't try and force a lens to work for you in a way it was never meant to.  I spent so long struggling to get my images to look how I wanted them to, and it was only after I tried a different lens did my eyes become opened to the world of photography and I could truly appreciate it that little bit more. 

I do however want to make it very clear that you do not need to spend hundreds or even thousands of pounds on camera equipment to become a successful blogger or photographer, and If I wasn't in a fortunate position due to my job and some amazing Christmas gifts I would not have the camera kit I have today.

Disclaimer

This post or series is in no way meant to be a brag about my camera kit, or how much any of it costs. I just want to say that I am in no means a photography expert, or tutor, and I'm sure that there are many more qualified people in the blogging world who could write these posts, I wanted to give back and share what I've learnt over the past year. Only half of these lenses belong to me, some of them belong to my work and as a perk of my job I'm able to use them outside of work for my own use
.  

Camera

 I have a Canon 600D which I received for Christmas in 2013 and it's the camera I use for all my blogging and YouTube and videos.
When I received my camera, I had no idea how to use it, and found trying to work out how to take photographs on manual the most frustrating thing - partly due to being impatient and expecting photographs to be 'right' straight away, without putting in the hard work. 


Lenses

So here's the deal. Each week I'm going to talk you through 6 different lenses that can be used for blogging and i'll be showing you the difference in images you'll get with each lens and answering any questions you may have about them. I'll also be giving you my pro's and con's for each lens - specifically for blogging.

The Lenses we'll be talking about are as follows:

Canon 40mm f/2.8 Lens - £121.25 (amazon)


Canon 50mm f/1.4 Lens - £249.95 (amazon)


Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens - £108.42 (amazon)


Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 Lens - £326.49 (amazon)


Tamrom 24-70mm f/2.8 Lens - £749.00 (amazon)



Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS Lens - £1,018.99 (amazon)



Over To You

I want to get as much information into this series as possible, and I think my twitter had a mini melt down when I mentioned I was going to be starting this series with people already thanking me before I even published this first post.

So here's where you come in, I want to make this as helpful as possible, so if there are any lens specific questions or there's anything in particular you'd like to know or want me to include in each post, please do let me know in the comments. There are no stupid questions here, and I'm happy to help in anyway I can.


Em xxx

42 comments:

  1. Such a great Em. Im looking forward to reading your series. I have a Canon eos m. I am interested in taking product photos with good lighting and how to use all the options on a camera.

    Leanne @ www.lemblog.co.uk

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  2. This is a really good idea, I'm bet interested to learn more about lenses! Can't wait for the next post :)
    Love sass ️xxx

    www.whatsasssays.com

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  3. This is going to be really helpful, I can't wait to read the next few posts!

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  4. This post is really helpful! I use a Nikon D90 and a 18-55 mm lens for everything (I can't afford other lenses right now) so I really appreciate this post Em :)
    I study graphic design and had two photography courses, so that helps too haha :)

    Elena xx
    glowingfair.wordpress.com

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  5. I have a Canon too, and I was always curious about different brands of lenses (like Sigma and Tamron). Do you get the same, if not better, photo quality? Is it a cheaper alternative?

    Looking forward to this series! xx

    gracelift.net

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  6. Can't wait for part 2! I'd love to hear what each lens is best used for and examples please. xx

    Ioanna | Hearting.co.uk | Check out my 100 follower GIVEAWAY

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  7. This is really helpful not just in blogging, i do landscape and out door pictures. This is great post looking forward to it !

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  8. Thanks for this post! I have started blogging and I use the 6D as well so I can't wait to hear about your camera thoughts! A couple of questions off the top of my head... What lens do you use the most often and why? and What manual settings do you use when taking different types of posts? and lastly, do you use any secondary equipment like lighting tools? Thanks and I can't wait to read your future posts!
    Marla
    www.theblondepantry.com

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  9. OMG love this, i want to invest in a Tamron 24mm-70mm lense, what would you say its best for? Could we get some example photos too? This is bloody brilliant!! xx

    beautyclassyfied.co.uk

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  10. This is such a good idea, I just wish I had a good enough camera.

    Beka. xo
    littleworldofbeka.blogspot.co.uk

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  11. I am into photography from year right now... I see you listed the 70-200 f2.8 L IS. I hope you know there are FOUR versions of this lens, each one with great image quality, and that the one you've listed is the most expensive one. :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Alis,
      I'm just blogging about the lenses I have. There the same goes for the 50mm lens, there are a few variations on that, yet I'm only going to blog about what I have.

      Em x

      Delete
  12. This is really helpful. I am going to be studying Photography in September and even though I have quite a good knowledge of cameras etc, I am always up for learning different things about blogging and the photography that comes with it x

    pintsizedbeauty.blogspot.co.uk

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  13. I have the same camera as you and also got it the same year at Christmas time! I can't wait for this series, my photography skills are rubbish and I haven't got a clue about lenses x
    Speckled Beauty

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  14. Im sure you’ll be nailing most questions but maybe the things each lens is best used for - what setting on the camera that works best for it too. The different ways to optimise each lens and it’s usage and whether it’s good for indoors or outdoors uses xx

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  15. thanks so much for a super good post, started not too long ago to experiment with my lens, but will be looking forward to be reading your post ^^

    Z ♥
    http://beautybyz.blogspot.se/

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  16. I'm really looking forward to this series. I also have a Canon 600D so I'll be interested to see how you use all of these lenses
    Http://www.tamlovestea.com

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  17. Can you also a tutorial about camera settings (fstop, aperture, ios, etc)

    -Kate
    http://www.katekoutures.blogspot.com/

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  18. Looking forward to this series!
    I have a Canon 1100D with the 18-55mm lens.
    My question, silly as it sounds, could you simplify the difference between Macro and Micro?
    I'm getting a new lens this year, but can not decide between one that will improve close ups of my images or one that I can use to improve landscapes.

    Becky x

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  19. Which one do you use for youtube?:)

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  20. I find cameras so overwhelming! Just got my first bridge camera so I guess I'll to get to grips with that and then graduate to something more advanced :) xx

    Magpie Jasmine || Palette Giveaway: Urban Decay, Nars, Charlotte Tilbury, Too Faced

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  21. This looks like a great series - looking forward to reading the rest. I love photography, and studied it a little with my degree which was a good few years ago so will be nice to have a little refresher!

    Rach / illustrated-teacup/blogspot.co.uk

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  22. This is fantastic, I can't wait for the series to get started! It's an obvious one but for me, a clear and detailed explanation of all the things you can do with each lens would be great. Also, if you're able to offer more affordable alternatives if available then that would be really handy too.

    Thanks so much! xx

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  23. This sounds fantastic. I recently got the (cheapy) 50mm lens and am just trying to get used to it. I'm looking forward to choosing my next lens though, so hoping this will help me decide! x

    NINEGRANDSTUDENT: A Student Lifestyle Blog

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  24. This sounds like something I will be interested in! I have the Canon 700D which I only bought just before christmas so it will be good to get some tips!

    Taylor // www.noelbeauty411.com

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  25. I am actually looking forward to reading these, this is the one thing i really need to work on with my blog most

    http://beautyandtheprince.weebly.com/makeup/my-love-for-urban-decay-black-magic-double-ended-eyeliners

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  26. As someone who is on the brink of purchasing their very first DSLR, I'm REALLY excited for this series! I want to improve my photography & videography for my blog & YouTube, but also for documenting a growing family.

    When you're looking to by a lens, how do you know which brands will be compatible with your camera? Thanks!

    Tania | whentaniatalks.blogspot.co.uk

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  27. What a great topic to write about! When I first started blogging my question was always "what camera are they using?" but after getting the Canon rebel t3i (which is the 600d), I realized that the question isn't "what camera, but what lens are they using"! I also feel that it's the lens that makes the difference! I'll be coming back to read more of what you have to say on this topic!

    mallory
    makeuptalkwithmallory.com

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  28. hi .. you are beautiful ... i like your face :)

    i have canon 50mm f1.8 .. is this good ?

    ReplyDelete
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