Dan-cp

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-bXg96f7/0/X5/i-bXg96f7-X5.jpg

Was down at the Savannah, GA riverfront yesterday and was looking for good examples of a Christmas-ee bokeh shot and saw this young lady relaxing on the bench next to me. I shot this ala “street photography” mode in that she didn’t see it coming, but I did go up and shared with her afterwards. She liked it. I like it. Thoughts?

I’d also agree with the 50mm f/1.2, although the 85mm f/1.4 would be a close second.

Don’t forget you can always rent a lens for the wedding.

Well, yeah, there is that. Lol. Maybe I shoulda said, “man this is an expensive hobby!” At the end of the day, I enjoy what I do with a camera and am very pleased with the art that comes out of my button pushing finger. 😀

Well, considering that you have an R V in your gear footer, perhaps a moot point. I’m a gadget guy and *always* like the idea of upgrading. Yet… I too spend money (vs making money professionally) and always try to keep in mind that Sony will come out with an R VI and R VII at some point. If money isn’t an issue, go for it, and have fun. I’m shooting with an a9 and have an R IV for backup and am kicking around the a1. Do I “need” it? No. Not for the casual/hobbyist thing I do. While everyone is different, I decided to spend money on glass. Maybe I’ll upgrade beyond my current platform at some point (likely when they come out with the A2 or R VI. Lol.

You could make the same argument about anything in our modern society. And with regards to photography, metering, autofocus, 600mm+ zoom, auto iso and more. And let’s not even get started on post processing. Having said that, a friend recently reminded me that the vast majority of Astro photography has significant post processing when I bemoaned my first real attempt at Astro. A good reminder that these are tools that allow your inner artist to shine through. Completely get it if the goal was to shoot the best you could with a brownie camera or 30+ year old technology. But, as you said, technology enables us. We bought it, why not use it?

I almost wish I was a working pro so that I could justify the cost… lol. I started with Nikon gear and made the investments in glass and had a lot of fun as a hobbyist. Then I got tired of carrying 50+ lbs of gear all over the world and made the switch to 4/3rds and had a pretty substantial collection of glass. Then Sony, shooting with an a9 and an a7r iv. Have a pretty decent collection of Sony glass and am enjoying the Sony world. It would take a lot to get me to switch these days. As a hobbyist I’ve joined a few clubs and a, working through challenges that stretch my skills. Lots of fun.

That’s pretty awesome. My first try with Astro was a few months ago and there was some cloud cover, along with light pollution. Still, pretty pleased with the results for the first time. My biggest take-away? You have to make time to go spend a few hours doing it. Mechanically it’s not too hard and getting promising results will only lead you to want to try again.

Very nice.