Zoom lenses:

I understand the advantages of fixed local length lenses over zoom lenses, but the big disadvantage is having to stop and change lenses often or compromise on my scene composition. Zoom lenses were the answer for me. It didn’t take to many rolls to get the "feel" for these lenses so I knew how to set Exposure without having to stop and think about it. This is a critical issue for me since most of the time I shoot chrome (slide) film in the camera and exposure is much more critical with chrome than it is with negative film. Another point that takes some getting used to is that the depth of field (how far behind the thing you focused on is the scene still in focus) changes as you zoom the lens through it’s range of focal lengths. I’ve gotten a good "feel" for this with the short lens. I still refer to the lens book sometimes though for the long one since I don’t use this lens as often. The short lens in the picture is a 28MM to 100MM macro zoom with an aperture range of F4 to F22, and it will focus down to 1 meter. The macro setting gives the ability to focus down to a few CMs. This lens has a 67MM filter mount and a 1A filter stays on the lens. The taller lens is a 70MM to 210MM macro zoom with an aperture range of F3.9 to F32 and it will focus down to 1.2 meters. The macro setting gives the ability to focus down much less than 1 meter (never used the macro on this lens). This lens has a built in, adjustable hood and a 58MM filter mount where a 1A filter stays. I bought these two lenses specifically so their range of focal lengths overlapped because I didn’t want to get stuck in a situation where the focal length I wanted was somewhere between the capability of the two lenses I owned. The main reason I don’t use the long lens much is that I do most of my shots hand holding the camera. It’s a very rare occasion that I would use a film with an ISO speed faster than 200. The combination of slow film, long lens, and my being generally unwilling to tolerate blur in my pictures, leads me to leave the long lens in its case except for special times when I really need it and I have the time etc. to fuss with a tripod.