{"id":41784,"date":"2017-12-17T05:38:45","date_gmt":"2017-12-17T09:38:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neilvn.com\/tangents\/?p=41784"},"modified":"2019-12-27T21:28:33","modified_gmt":"2019-12-28T01:28:33","slug":"best-photography-purchases-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neilvn.com\/tangents\/best-photography-purchases-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"Best photography purchases of 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Best photography purchases of 2017<\/h1>\n

It’s that time of the year again – the list of Best & Worst Photography purchases of 2017. Same as with previous years’ lists of best photography purchases<\/a>,\u00a0I would love to hear what camera gear you bought that you loved … or didn’t love. As before, there are two book prizes to be had, chosen by random number generator.\u00a0Here then is my list of my best photography purchases of 2017, along with the reasons why I think they were good decisions. I also add a few items that I was less excited about. Same as last year, I was a little wiser with my money and tried to limit the more frivolous expenditure … but who can resist a good deal on a Manfrotto Snake Arm<\/a> (affiliate<\/em>).<\/p>\n

About the photo above – the New York skyline after a rain storm – it was taken with the Fuji X-T20 and 18-55mm lens<\/a>\u00a0(B&H<\/em><\/a> \/ Amazon<\/em><\/a>) that I bought this year as my take-everywhere and travel camera … except I don’t travel enough. Sadly it sees too much time in a drawer in my office. Still, it’s a nifty little camera. And this is illustrative perhaps of how our original ideas and intent changes. Sometimes its not that something is a bad product that we bought – oftentimes our plans, ideas and circumstance change. Still, I am mostly happy with the photo gear I bought this year. In addition there were a number of very tempting items that I got to play with … but couldn’t pull the trigger on.<\/p>\n

Add yours to the list of Best \/ Worst Photo related purchases, by posting in the comments section. What photo gear did you acquire which you believe will make a difference to your photography and your business in the upcoming years? Post your replies in the comments.<\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s hear from you:<\/h2>\n

To make it interesting, there were\u00a0two books available as prizes. (Or\u00a0could be swapped out\u00a0out for my book, On-Camera Flash (revised edition)<\/a>, or Direction & Quality of Light<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Winners<\/a> were\u00a0chosen by random number generator, and announced\u00a0here<\/a>. (comment #42)<\/p>\n

Even though the contest is closed by now, you are more than welcome to still add your comments.<\/p>\n

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Studio Anywhere<\/a><\/span><\/h2>\n

Studio Anywhere<\/a>, by Nick Fancher. A photographer’s guide to shooting in unconventional locations.<\/p>\n

With photographer Nick Fancher as your guide, you will learn how to get portfolio-ready photos while working i some of my most problematic scenarios imaginable … with a minimum of gear. There is no need for an expensive studio 0 you just have to get creative.<\/p>\n

If you are curious about the premise of this book, you can order it through\u00a0Amazon USA<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Amazon UK<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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the other book prize<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Boudoir Photography Cookbook<\/a><\/span><\/h2>\n

Boudoir Photography Cookbook<\/a>: In 60 easily digestible sections, (aka the recipes), Jen Rozenbaum presents essential skills that will help you with boudoir photography. Of course I am a little biased when it comes to this book – Anelisa<\/a> is on the cover.<\/p>\n

While Jennifer covers lighting, wardrobe, and\u00a0other aspects of boudoir photography, the core of those book focuses on posing. The book has a\u00a0targeted look at various posing strategies that will really enhance your subject.<\/p>\n

If you are curious about the premise of this book, you can order it through\u00a0Amazon USA<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Amazon UK<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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My\u00a0best photography purchases for 2017<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Nikon 300mm f\/4E PF<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
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For a long time I didn’t have a longer lens than my 70-200mm f\/2.8 but when the solar eclipse of 2017<\/a> rolled near, I decided to buy the Nikon 300mm f\/4E PF lens<\/a> (B&H<\/em><\/a> \/ Amazon<\/em><\/a>) to use with a 1.4x converter for extra reach. What swayed me was that it uses a 77mm filter. I didn’t expect to be so blown away by the sharpness of this lens, and just how compact it is. (Less than 6″ long.) It easily fits into my camera bag, and it has already helped me at one wedding this year where the church lady banished me to the back and outer perimeter of the church. This lens gave me the reach I needed without cropping.<\/p>\n

I have used it at engagement photo sessions<\/a>, but while it is super compact and light-weight, it is just too long to work within earshot of the couple. The sharpness and bokeh are just wonderful.<\/p>\n

For now this lens will be in my camera bag as my secret weapon for when I unexpectedly need a longer lens.\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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Sony FE 85mm f\/1.8<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n
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I’ve been playing more and more with vintage lenses<\/a>, using a Sony A72. In getting my hands on a Sony A7R3 for review purposes, I was stuck without a proper, modern lens for the Sony mirrorless bodies. I decided to invest in the\u00a0Sony FE 85mm f\/1.8 lens<\/a> (B&H<\/em><\/a> \/ Amazon<\/em><\/a>), and was blown away by this little gem. It is razor-sharp. Autofocus is fast, and it is compact. Just a brilliant little optic and already a favorite.<\/p>\n