Hello from Leeds, UK.

[Fingal]

Hello all, from Leeds, UK.

After decades working in science and engineering, I recently retired and decided to pursue a hobby that takes me away from all that - something within the arts. Photography seemed like a good fit. It gets me outdoors, there's lots to learn, and it tolerates my lack of artistic talent.

A friend gave me an old Canon 1000D and a couple of kit lenses. After making lots of mistakes I found myself at a point I would describe as "competent beginner". That's when I bought an R10. I discovered I have a fondness for wide-angle urban work (buildings stay still and tolerate scrutiny), so I got myself an RF-S 10-18mm lens which I enjoy immensely. It soon dawned on me how limited those old kit lenses had been. I'm currently pondering what my next lens will be.

I’m suppose primarily I'm here to learn, but I'll contribute when I can.

 

[SwampGrizz]

Welcome. There are a lot of folks on here that really know what they are talking about (not me….), so you’ve come to the right place. Don’t feel shy about posting your photos, because I’ve found that the folks on here don’t criticize, they offer constructive suggestions. There is a lot of collective wisdom here.
If I may be so bold as to make a lens suggestion, if you are looking for a prime lens, then consider the RF 35mm f/1.8 macro. It’s a sharp lens that won’t send you to the poor house, and it works great on my R50. If I’m not mistaken, it has the same sensor as your R10. Given the crop factor, the full frame equivalent is a little better than 50mm. Give it a look.

 

[Fingal]

Welcome. There are a lot of folks on here that really know what they are talking about (not me….), so you’ve come to the right place. Don’t feel shy about posting your photos, because I’ve found that the folks on here don’t criticize, they offer constructive suggestions. There is a lot of collective wisdom here.
If I may be so bold as to make a lens suggestion, if you are looking for a prime lens, then consider the RF 35mm f/1.8 macro. It’s a sharp lens that won’t send you to the poor house, and it works great on my R50. If I’m not mistaken, it has the same sensor as your R10. Given the crop factor, the full frame equivalent is a little better than 50mm. Give it a look.

Hi! Once I get familiar with the various forums I will certainly post a few photos - I look forward to receiving feedback. As for lenses, I have heard so much about the "nifty fifty" that I was wondering whether I could pick up a crop-equivalent, around 30-35mm. Your suggestion seems like a great choice - I will put it on the short list. Many thanks!

 

[THXGEEK]

Hello & welcome!

A new lens? But which new lens?

Yes, that is the eternal and unforgiving question that photographers of all stripes must answer.

So... What are your passions? What 'drives' you to this art? Is it wildlife? Is it portraits & people? Sports? Perhaps it is some aspect that you have not yet mastered? Landscapes? Macros? Something else, perhaps?

For what it's worth... There is no such thing as 'too many lenses'.

...there just isn't.



(Please do post your pictures - we'd love to see them!)

 

[Bryan Conner]

Hi and welcome to the forum Fingal.

 

[JanW]

Hello and welcome!

As @THXGEEK says it very much depends on what you want to shoot.
But if you only used kit lenses and your wide zoom until now may I suggest looking at a prime lens?
This will give you more photographic options because you can play with the depth of field.
The 35mm 1.8 is a nice starting point but there are many options if you want to go a bit wider or longer. The 50mm/1.8 is the most affordable.

Jan

 

[Fingal]

Hello & welcome!

A new lens? But which new lens?

Yes, that is the eternal and unforgiving question that photographers of all stripes must answer.

So... What are your passions? What 'drives' you to this art? Is it wildlife? Is it portraits & people? Sports? Perhaps it is some aspect that you have not yet mastered? Landscapes? Macros? Something else, perhaps?

For what it's worth... There is no such thing as 'too many lenses'.

...there just isn't.



(Please do post your pictures - we'd love to see them!)

My passions? Wildlife, sports, portraits, landscapes...all things I very much enjoy, but I'm not driven to photograph them. I have been reflecting on my life since I retired, and I want to express those reflections in photographic art - it would take a whole book to really express what I mean here. I'm a city boy. My life is, and has been, almost entirely urban. Traffic, noise, derelict buildings, towers of glass, weeds in walls, cracked pavements, ambulance sirens, railings, bus stops...all these things call to me. And now I'm at risk of sounding pretentious!

So I guess I'm heading for lenses typically used in street photography, but I'm not experienced enough to be certain. I'll be taking a look at the forums to see what's been posted already before asking specific questions. And yes, I will post some pictures!

 

[Fingal]

Hello and welcome!

As @THXGEEK says it very much depends on what you want to shoot.
But if you only used kit lenses and your wide zoom until now may I suggest looking at a prime lens?
This will give you more photographic options because you can play with the depth of field.
The 35mm 1.8 is a nice starting point but there are many options if you want to go a bit wider or longer. The 50mm/1.8 is the most affordable.

Jan

Hi Jan. Yep, I'm very much thinking about a prime lens. I've said in another post my main interest is in urban photography, so your suggestion is welcome - thanks. I'm making a shortlist!

 

[SwampGrizz]

I don’t think you are being pretentious at all. Those are the things that are around you, and as you said, they call to you. Make art out of them.