June 17, 2025

I kept buying what are called the BEST lenses. And they kept sitting in my bag. I learned the best lens may not be what you think it is. Today I’ll show you why.

I edited with session with Filmist 2, and Natural HDR 5 presets and in Photoshop with Pictorialist actions. Try the free samplers of other the preset packs.

You’ll see me use 3 lenses in today’s video and only 1 was a modern lens. Yet all were sharp clean and cheap. In fact I barley own any Red line or G master lenses anymore.

We’ve been taught to think that super expensive lenses make us better. They don’t. Sure a 50 or an 85 in the F1.4 to F2 range is great because you get bokeh that you usually wont even get with super expensive and large 2.8 zooms.

And no you don’t have to use vintage lenses but there are a ton of good cheap primes in vintage glass that you can adapt and are full of detail and atmosphere.

Today’s video was the opposite of a review. Sure the lenses I chose are great.

But the bigger point is that when you have big heavy expensive lenses you don’t always phonograph better. When instead you pick the lens that feels good for today’s session and use it magical atmosphere happens.

Photographers don’t realize they leave a little part of their soul in a great image. The more you feel, interact and get emotional about a shot, the lens you shot it with, the extra attention you put to slow focus. All these things create photos with more feeling.

Big spendy perfect lenses can be great. But once you know, often you pick up other lenses because they are heavy and clunky and feel sterile.

It may sound silly. But I see it time and time again.

Honestly. Whatever lens make you feel something right now. Usually that means not to heavy, a focal range you like etc. Glass is amazing. But it’s how it pushes you that matters. Sure you should prob have a go to lens with fast focus etc. Sure you sometimes want a super sharp landscape lens.

But I use old and mid level lenses 10x as much. Usually they are sharp, sometimes they have imperfection and more often the imperfection they do have contribute to making a photo feel real.

Just like I keep begging people to stop taking all the noise and grain our of their photos because it makes them feel fake, perfect sterile lenses often feel empty. But they have to sell those super expensive beasts so they get influencers to tell us they will change our lives. They wont/

Gavin Seim

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May 30, 2025

My gear talk videos are not like normal reviews. We learn about WHY instead of just the what. We learn it’s not about the new Sony, OM3, or the Fuji X half – It’s about taking better photos.

The phone took that huge market away. That’s what they are trying to get back. But in the end is they are failing to innovate and make great pro cameras just like Kodak did when digital came and they wanted to hold on to film. The price was bankruptcy.

These large companies are desperately trying to create hype to get NON-Photographers to buy expensive cameras. That won’t last because they won’t use these cameras. Phones are simply better for everyday carry snapshot cameras. Smaller, usually waterproof, better video, all on one. There’s no need for point and shoots.

It’s easy. Stop buying the new ones. Economics will kick in. The companies that refuse to listen will go under. The ones to listen will innovate.

For most, the truth is you don’t need a better camera. A new camera can get you going. Help you try new ideas. I bought a small Micro Four Thirds system, and I love the tiny lenses and high quality. They did it better than Fuji is doing now.

Not one of those cameras was new. I got a decent deal on quality used cameras, and my “new owner” excitement was just as good as if it were new. Perhaps more because there is no buyer’s regret of knowing you paid too much to get the latest.

Want a new camera. Go buy a used one that is a legend. or a new lens. Those are more important anyways. Older cameras really are better sometimes. The photos are just as good. And if you get bored and want to try something else. You bought it used. You can sell it for a little loss.

They are treating us like chumps. Too stupid not get into their candy van.

Terms like Vibes and Film Like Experience. These are made-up marketing tools.

If you want a film experience, shoot a film. If you want a clean film-inspired look, use Film presets. But don’t let them tell you a plastic fake winders dial is a film-like experience.

It’s the same with software makers. All we need these days is trashy fake Ai tools we don’t need.

Until they give you a REAL feature that changes your process. Just don’t buy what they sell. Make them learn the hard way. Or wait until the price drops (and it will) and buy on the used market.

We think the new gear will make us take photos. Sometimes it can help. But most of the problem is our own laziness. Not our gear. And old gear will push you to new heights just as well.

It’s time to demand real innovation from the camera and software companies alike.

Gavin Seim

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