A cure for lens lust

I have a severe case of LAS -- Lens Acquisition Syndrome. It's something that is like some tropical desease. Sometimes it's supressed and does not really show itself, but sometimes it runs -- practically gallops -- and I have restless nights and endless days where I surf, read magazines and plan my walks and drives in town so that I pass by most possible photo shops.

American Pictures

I have always had it like that. I love the thought of new glass for my cameras, and for some reason it's always the best (read: expensive) lenses that draw the most. There is no logic in this, since the rational part of me very well know that great images can be made with even the most lousy camera and lens.
I myself have taken bunches of great pictures with a-lot-less-than-the-best and others even more so.

Danish Jakob Holdt's American Pictures is one such example. Most of his pictures were taken with a small half format camera, which shoots two images on one 24*36 frame (I don't remember the brand). They are stunning just the same, and some of them are in a superb technical quality. But most of all: the subjects make you forget the camera. It doesn't matter.

Getting the best from what you have

Once we did well with a manual film camera with one or two primes. My own gear bag wasn't stuffed. I started out with a 50mm and a 135mm as many others, but still managed to shoot quite a few decent pictures. My keeper rate hasn't gone up, I think. I just shoot a substantially larger number of pictures now -- particularly after having gone digital.

A professional photographer friend of mine told me about a "game" he and some friends have going: they will limit themselves in some way during a day: only shoot full open, only shoot one focal length, only shoot ambient light, only shoot slow shutter speeds or whatever.
Take any prime lens you have, leave the rest at home and use your eyes and your brain to get good shots within the limits of this lens. I did this recently with my newly acquired 85mm f1.8, and had great fun. This lens was dirt cheap: 1500 Danish Kroners used (about 250 US$ or 200 Euros), and it's an extremely good lens. Light, fast, fun. I would love to have the f1.4 version of this lens or something even more fancy, but honestly: this little gem is more than enough for me in that range and type of lens. Sure a 70-200 f2.8 would cover the same focal length and maybe even deliver a better optical job. But the 85mm was within my reach and has been a very pleasing acquaintance.

The cure...

Well, it might not be a real cure, but at least a small remedy or pain killer. Dig into what you have. Even a kit lens -- the Nikon 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 that a lot of Nikon-owners already have or the new 18-135mm VR that has been or will be bought with a lot of D40's or D50's. Such a lens will take you a long way -- like my own 18-200mm VR has done a lot of good for me.

Or go hunting for a 50mm f1.8 or an 85mm f1.8 like mine. These are fabulous lenses that can be had for very little money. The 50mm is about 100 US$ new!

Think of the limits found in the compact cameras. My own Canon PowerShot A80 has a very limited optical quality. Not that it's bad, but it's a far cry from the lenses I lust so much. But still it manages to produce some amazing shots. And it does well more often than not.