I took Fate for a walk on Main Street the other day, she loved it there, all sorts of things to get into, all sorts of people to love. Important news in my photography life, I decided to buy a used Zeiss 85 mm manual focus lens for $840 dollars rather than a new Canon 85 mm L series lens for $1,889.
I’ve never used a Zeiss lens before, and I will have to learn some new things about light and shutter speed, this lens doesn’t have autofocus, and my eyes are not the eyes of a 20 year-old, but they are good enough. This is a departure for me, although I know the Zeiss lens have the most wonderful reputation. This lens, from the reviews, isn’t better than the Canon lens but is different, and I’m excited to get it.
The lens is said to be in “excellent” condition.
I’m also excited to save more than $1,000, I have been saving up for the new lens but I already have enough money to pay for this lens. It’s coming tomorrow, and I will share the experience with you. I’ve completely re-tooled my photography, at least most of it, and this is an opportunity for me to grow and learn.
My inclination is to buy the best new, but I’m changing my thinking about buying things. You can’t always get just what you want, but you can get what you need.
I bought the used lens from KEH, a neat used camera and rental outfit on the West Coast. I like dealing with them.
Thanks for your interest and support.
In the past couple of months, I’ve traded in $10,000 worth of lenses, bought a new (with help) 5 D monochrome, traded for a new 7D Mark III, gotten a new 35 mm Canon lens (my main lens now) and now, bought a used Zeiss portrait lens. I think this is it for now, I have 30 days to return the Zeiss if it doesn’t work for me, but I’m very interested in see how photos come through with a Zeiss lens, and for portraits, I should have plenty of time for manual focusing.
I have two find new cameras, one for black and white, one for digital color. And several lenses, a 100 mm macro lens, the 35 mm, the wide-angle 8-15 mm, a 16-35 mm lens and the new Zeiss lens. Should keep me busy for a while.
Hope to try out the new lens tomorrow, or if it comes too late in the day, Wednesday.