Let’s understand this one thing before I go on to describe the workshop…I had been waiting for this workshop since December. Since I heard about it last year I wanted to do it, but I thought, no way, out of my budget and did I really want to rock it film? Naw man, that was for serious craft photographers, not me, a busy wedding shooter.

And then I got into Polaroid. And then I got a 35mm film camera. And then I got a medium format film camera. Ah, the snowball effect. Needless to say, by the time I figured out there was a Seattle edition, I decided that I would have to do it.

What I didn’t know, is that once you sign up, you are invited into the FIND community. This was pretty much the game changer for me with film, because I finally had access to a group of people who were a) crazy, b) passionate about photography, c) working at film and their voice, and d) who I could ask stupid questions of and actually get an answer. My start up with film would have taken much much longer had I not had this community to glean information from. Even now the community is a constant source of information and inspiration.

Because of the community, I felt like I already knew folks when we pulled up the first day for the pre-workshop film handout and orientation. We were driving down the street and I was like…dude, there’s Joe, a guy I see all the time in pictures online, but now he’s here in the flesh. Same with everyone who was helping out with the workshop: it was so cool to meet folks that I had only interacted with online (or heard compromising stories about etc).

The makeup of the workshop

Day 1 is all things film for the first part of the day and working with “engagement” couples the latter part. What was really amazing right up front was being able to see how other photographers pose other folks. I am sure everyone else was as nervous as I was! But, I took the workshop to learn and to see how people approached the job of moving and directing people, and where they took them, what backgrounds they chose. And, of course we watched Jon do this too. Honestly, it was really helpful. I think everyone in an artistic field is working at their craft, and if you ever arrive, you will know you are finally irrelevant. It was great to be around people who were all trying to better themselves.

Day 2 is families: ideas on how to shoot them, and then actual work with families later that day. We got to learn how Jon approaches his family shooting and why. So much great information that I have already started putting to use! Amazing.

Day 3 is business. We covered tons of ways to be successful photographers in today’s world. The latter part of the day was spent shooting “married” couples. I really felt like day three was where I really started getting into my own groove, and being willing to just do what I do, but in the context of trying on new poses and new ideas. Dug it.

Now, I didn’t cover all the fun we had outside of the actual workshop, and half of the awesome-factor is just having a blast with the other attendees.  Hanging out with folks who are fairly different from you, except that they are all crazy about film, and interested in those same things you are is always so so fun.

The bottom line is that I would really recommend this workshop to anyone who a) wants to geek out about film and cameras n stuff for three days, b) who want to learn more about posing, c) who want to learn about how to rock family portraits, d) who want to grow their photography business, and e) who want to learn the ninja ways of Karaoke singing from the master himself (it was quite a party).

Be sure to check out the Film Is Not Dead Website for more information.

***Also, stay tuned for part 2 tomorrow. I had a lot of images from the third day, so the post tomorrow is dedicated to the couple the I spent the most time with that day!***

I am loving the results I am getting, but I have noticed one really big issue with my current film set up: Focus. I am using a pro body Nikon F5, which is wonderful. Most of the time the auto focus works fine, and as you can see, when it gets it, it looks wonderful. But, I am tired of missing shots. A lot of the film shooters that I follow are shooting mostly manual focus, which is so outside of my comfort zone, but makes a lot of sense for portraiture. It’s easy to tell an adult to sit still.

So…I got the best manual focus lens that I could get for the Nikon system. Meet the Zeiss 50mm 1.4 ZF.2 It works both with my digital and film camera, and it’s a dream to use. Focusing with this is like spreading perfectly room temperature butter; the lens glides perfectly along until you find the spot you are looking for. But, it is manual focus, and I haven’t use a lens like that since high school. It’s tough. But so far I really like what I am getting. Here are some sample shots taken on my D700 (digital) for testing purposes. Hit me up if you’d like to see a full res file.

This first shot is at f/ 1.4

This next one is f/2

Also f/2

Both these next ones are f/1.4

On digital you get a lot of magenta fringing (Chromatic Aberration) which I took the liberty of removing from the highlight areas on the presses. FYI.

Today several packages arrived for me. Last weekend was very expensive, and the parcels I received were the fruit of that online shopping.

Some background. About a month ago I ordered a lens that I have been waiting for that would fill in a very important hole in my lens arsenal. I ordered the Nikon 24mm 1.4 AFS. This was a much anticipated lens, and from everything I have read and seen of it online, this was a game changer. Super sharp at 1.4, contrasty with great color reproduction. So, despite the fact that Adorama said it was back-ordered, I added it to my cart and away we went. And then I waited. And, I waited. And waited some more. Now, yes this is a new lens, and yes, only a small-ish number of people have it, but I figured that I would have it in time for my summer of weddings. After about a month of waiting I finally emailed Adorama, who told me that there was no ETA from the manufacturer. No. End. In. Sight.

Coincident with this discovery was the notion that I could spend 1/5th the price for the Nikon ($2200) and get a third party lens that was “just as good.” Yuck!!!! I have had one third party lens (a Tamron if you must know) and while it served me well for what I used it for, it was not sharp when I needed it to be (at 2.8, which of course is why you get it, for “low light”). Needless to say, I have been reluctant to get a third party since that lens.

This instinct is compounded by the fact that I got one of Nikon’s new lenses, the 50mm 1.4 AFS (you know, the one that all the forums say is terrible and plasticy and can’t focus worth beans). This was the lens that changed my photography. Yeah, I know what you are thinking, its the photographer that does it, and sure I have grown and grown in my craft, but this lens marks a definitive change in my work and a move to what I would consider real professional pieces. I think there is a balance between the gear that one has and the skill with which one uses it. You can imagine my excitement to add another fast AFS prime to my bag. You can imagine my frustration at not getting it in time to really start using it. Enter the Sigma 24mm 1.8. Now the sigma is 2/3 of a stop slower/darker (it only opens up to f/1.8 instead of f/1.4, which is a real detractor. The question is, is the Nikon worth $2k more for those two little clicks on the dial? I would say yes. Undeniably. It was worth it in my 50mm f/1.4. In fact, I really have a hard time with my 35mm f/2 because its a lot slower than I wish it were. The problem then? Why don’t I just wait and get the Nikon that I want so badly?

No. End. In. Sight.

In the end, after confirming with Adorama that they had no timetable from Nikon to get the lens in, that I would [take a gamble] make a savvy business decision and order the Sigma.

It came. Today.

(Sigma 24mm 1.8: Shot at ISO 400, 1/100th, f/2.8, distance to subject: 349.99mm)

I had read a really helpful review of the Nikon, and a comparison review of the Sigma about a week ago, and determined from the reading that I really wanted the Nikon. I still do. A lot. But…I am really pleased with this lens.

(Sigma 24mm 1.8: Shot at ISO 400, 1/100th, f/2.8, distance to subject: 220mm)

So, on to the review. First of all, everyone complains about how “janky” the Sigma is. No it’s not metal, but I don’t care about that. I am a wedding photographer. I don’t want the extra weight. I want light, fast, quiet, and sharp wide open, not loud, slow, and bulky. The main lens that I shoot with is the Nikon 50mm 1.4 which is much maligned among the “serious shooters” in the forums. For what I do, it’s incredible. INCREDIBLE! [digression over]. So… the Sigma is plastic. The lens hood doesn’t have the same lock that I have come to expect from my Nikon gear. Weird. Second, it has got gold highlights. Oh well.
(Sigma 24mm 1.8: Shot at ISO 200, 1/100th, f/4, distance to subject: 180mm)

Pluses. Its macro. Yeah, its 24mm (extremely wide angle) but you can shoot really really close to your subject (think like 3 inches). This is huge for a wedding photographer who takes lots of pictures of details.

(Sigma 24mm 1.8: Shot at ISO 400, 1/50th, f/1.8, distance to subject: 560 mm)

Second, 1.8 is better than 2, and at this point I am pleased with the sharpness wide open. I haven’t done tons of shooting with it, but from what I took this afternoon, it looks sharp enough for my purposes. It looks really nice at 2.8, and when you are really close, the background is really soft. Its not a Nikon, and at 100% its not as crisp as my 50mm, but again, it still looks really good.

Third, the Bokeh is really nice. Could it be creamier? Yes! Does it produce pleasing out of focus areas? Subjective…but I like them.
(Sigma 24mm 1.8: Shot at ISO 400, 1/400th, f/2, distance to subject: 220mm)

Overall impression: my plan was to buy this lens and push it to its limits, while I waited for the Nikon lens to actually grace us mortals with its presence. Now that it’s in my hands though…I am forced to admit that this third party lens is really nice. Nice enough that I may not be adding a Nikon 24mm 1.4 lens to my bag anytime soon…even when it is in stock.

Please feel free to write with questions/comments. I plan to post a follow up to this once I have played with it in more situations. I am also eager to see how it responds when I purposefully aim it at the sun!