Random Cute Girl for showing the Capabilities of the 501.2

Ox here with a little tip about the value of renting lenses.

I had an assignment a few weeks back with very strict shooting requirements, very low light, absolutely no flash (artwork was involved),  get the pictures. Awesome. I love a good challenge.  I had 2 nights to get the photos needed.  First night I rolled with a 1DIV, 85 1.8 and a 24-70 f2.8.  I figured this would suffice because I felt comfortable shooting at iso3200, and having shot at this venue before, I knew that the 85 at f2 would give me iso3200 and 1/125 or so.  Let’s just go ahead and say fail. Someone turned down the lights. Apparently having a Monet hanging on the wall is worth a little money…..

As a photographer here is the solving a problem mode.  F2 on the first night gave 1/50th,  1.8 is the lowest aperture in my bag.  Need more aperture! I headed down to my local shop, Precision Camera, and plunked down 40 clams to use the 50 1.2L for the next 24 hours. Argh, argh, more aperture! Problem solved, sufficient shutter speed gained. Client happy, Ox Wins!

But here is the point, renting lenses is a great value and a great opportunity to spend few dollars and gain large value.  My business bottom line can’t justify the 1500 for a new 50L, when next week it might be the $1000+  35L that is necessary for the job at hand, especially when next month the $5000 400mm is what I will need. So I rent, a lot. Along the way I have found the tools that I find to be indispensable and I purchase those. Also, I find along the way that a lens I thought would be perfect just isn’t for my vision. By renting I saved myself lots of transactional costs.  And other time renting a lens for a few days solves the gear lust that overcomes any photographer that has read lens review websites a few too many times.

Another large value is the creative potential of using a new-to-you or unusual lens choice. Admit it, you get a little stuck in your lens choices, I know I do.  Rent something out of the norm, give new a chance, and let your creative mind flow with new avenues.  Your new images will thank you.

–Ox

PS. For the record, I found the 50L to be amazing while photographing people. Be careful with such limited DOF, but go wild, its a special lens.