FE 50mm F1.8

FE 50mm F1.8 | Take snapshots of special moments | Review by Ramadhan Sinclair

Harriman — Tue, 16 May 2023 02:03:49 +0000

FE 50mm F1.8 | Take snapshots of special moments | Review by Ramadhan Sinclair

Harriman Tue, 05/16/2023 - 07:33

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Reviews

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Alpha 7C

Lens Category

FE 50mm F1.8

Alpha 7C | FE 50mm F1.8 | 50mm | F1.8 | 1/100s | ISO 500

Alpha 7C | FE 50mm F1.8 | 50mm | F1.8 | 1/2000s | ISO 250

Alpha 7C | FE 50mm F1.8 | 50mm | F2.8 | 1/2500s | ISO 250

Creative inspirations, equipment selection

I'm fascinated with capturing emotions and expressions - especially up- close, where you almost feel like you could reach into a photo and touch the subject.I am also attracted to locations with unique lighting, as these environments inspire me to compose some of my most dramatic shots.

When I'm out and about, taking snapshots of special moments from the streets, I really enjoy using my FE 50mm F1.8 prime lens and Zeiss FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS zoom lens.

The captivating qualities of a prime lens

A prime lens is just a joy to use on the streets, especially the 50mm F1.8, which is especially easy to handle. This makes framing shots very intuitive and allows me to capture "in-the-moment" snapshots that really capture the mood of what was happening in that instant.

For great looking photos using a prime lens, always pay attention to the distance between you and your subject, and the all-important rule of thirds!

Standing out from the crowd

Alpha 7C | FE 50mm F1.8 | 50mm | F1.8 | 1/100s | ISO 500

This photo of a fashion intern was snapped at a busy crosswalk along the Bukit Bintang retail area. As the shot was taken after dusk, there was a good mix of natural and artificial light - which gave the environment a cool mood.

As the dinner crowds began to form, I asked my subject to pose, while I moved around to frame the shot perfectly. Having a full-frame camera certainly made things easier. From around 6 feet away from my subject, I crouched for a lower angle shot to frame the crosswalk, sky and subject proportionately.

Alpha 7C | FE 50mm F1.8 | 50mm | F2 | 1/200s | ISO 1000

The creamy F1.8 bokeh gives this shot an "urban mood", while the natural 50mm perspective keeps the portrait looking natural and candid. In street portraits like this, you can combine light, colour and emotion to create some really captivating photos.

A bucket of water, and a storied life

Alpha 7C | FE 50mm F1.8 | 50mm | F1.8 | 1/4000s | ISO 1000

Sometimes, random encounters can lead to powerful moments - and stories that capture the heart.

I met this man at Central Market. In this shot, he was on his way to gather water from a nearby building pipe, so he could bathe himself along the streets.

As this was a random encounter, I couldn't predict what the subject would do, or where he would go. I did realise that this street was in the shadow of a large building, so I dialled up the ISO to balance the lighting.

The shot was taken from around 12 feet in front of the man, using my FE 50mm F1.8 prime lens. We were chatting as I snapped, and he spoke candidly about his life - revealing genuine emotions. In this photo, the 50mm perspective really brings out the subject's expressions, with the depth of field highlighting the weariness he was feeling from living a hard life.

Second-hand clothes, anyone?

Alpha 7C | FE 50mm F1.8 | 50mm F1.8 | 1/4000s | ISO 1000

Alpha 7C | FE 50mm F1.8 | 50mm | F1.8 | 1/4000s | ISO 1000

This unexpected encounter happened in Central Market and I saw a lady folding clothes by the sidewalk.

The street she was walking down was rather dark, I turned up the ISO and shutter speed to get a crisp image with my FE 50mm F1.8 prime lens. I also decided that a portrait shot would suit the narrow street better and did so while looking through the viewfinder.

Like the previous shot, this photo was also taken from a distance of 12 feet. If possible, it's always good to lead your subject and give them an idea of what your desired shot looks like - so they can cooperate. Here, the 50mm focal length and F1.8 depth of field creates a natural, non-distracting bokeh that enhances the storytelling element of the photo.

A fish farmer and a family legacy

Alpha 7C | FE 50mm F1.8 | 50mm | F1.8 | 1/640s | ISO 100

Alpha 7C | FE 50mm F1.8 | 50mm | F2.8 | 1/2500s | ISO 250

This man makes a living by installing telephone wires and internet cables in rural areas. Outside of work though, you'll usually find him fishing on his boat. Fishing, he explains, is a family legacy - which explains his fondness for the activity.

For this portrait shot, I got on his boat and had to stabilise myself as much as possible. Fortunately, the camera and 50mm F1.8 lens are a lightweight combination that's easy to handle and stabilise. I took this photo approximately 3 feet from the man. The close-up shot and 50mm perspective really highlight the emotion on the subject's face - giving the shot an added sense of intimacy and believability.

When shooting staged shots like this, it's always great to create a real, heartfelt connection with your subject, so you can capture their true emotions with your camera.

The essence of street photography

I believe that street photography is all about capturing emotions. This happens when you create authentic connections with your subjects. So, speak with them, learn about their lives and take a genuine interest in them.

You'll have some amazing stories to tell - both in your photos, and with your memories of these encounters.

Products

Featured

Alpha 7C

Compact Full Frame Camera

FE 50mm F1.8

Standard Prime Lens for Full Frame

SF-M64T

SF-M series Tough Memory Card

NP-FZ100 Z-series Rechargeable Battery Pack

Z-series Rechargeable Battery Pack

BC-QZ1

Battery Charger for NP-FZ100 (Z-Series)

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Portrait

Street Photography

Travel

A beginner’s guide to vlogging with ZV-E10

Calvin — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 08:36:17 +0000

A beginner’s guide to vlogging with ZV-E10

Calvin Mon, 02/13/2023 - 14:06

Article Categories

Tips

As a beginner to the big, wide world of vlogging, it’s easy to feel lost finding the ideal framing techniques to aid your visual storytelling. One perk of vlogging with the ZV-E10 is the flexibility of switching between lens perspectives measured by focal distance to show different facets of your day. You could film your breakfast platter up close to show off every detail or go wide to show your viewers what’s happening as you walk down the street. Now, you may be wondering which lenses to include in your camera bag. Here are some of our photographer recommendations that you should never leave home without!

Best wide-angle lens combination for travel and lifestyle vlogs

When you’re vlogging outdoors, you’ll want to capture more of what’s happening around you in hopes that you can bring your viewers along with you on an adventure. Whether you’re taking a leisurely stroll in the city or going on a trek in the woods, you’ll be able to share the moment with your viewers in full detail. With a wide-angle lens, you can capture more of your surroundings through dynamic footage that puts both you and your location in the spotlight.

Recommended

E 11mm F1.8 (SEL11F18)
E 15mm F1.4 G (SEL15F14G)

Prime lenses for portraits, product reviews, food vlogs

Want to shift the attention to yourself for a moment? Go for a fixed focal length or prime lens and grab your viewer's attention without any background distractions. Prime lenses create a smooth, natural background blur, also known as bokeh, that makes you or your subject stand out. It also comes in handy when you want brighter footage in a dimly lit setting.

Recommended

E 35mm F1.8 OSS (SEL35F18)
E 50mm F1.8 OSS (SEL50F18)

Macro lenses to capture every detail, down to the smallest grain

With a macro lens, you can enlarge previously overlooked details and bring out beauty that lies hidden in the ordinary. Unlike other types of lenses, a macro lens gets you closer to your subject and allows you to capture minute details at a larger size and higher resolution. Whether it's an accessory you're reviewing on your channel or extreme close-ups of your bakes for your next video tutorial, a macro lens is bound to help you show off every glorious detail.

Recommended

E 30mm F3.5 Macro (SEL30M35)

Telephoto lenses to capture all the action from a distance

Capture far-off objects, picturesque landscapes or action with clarity, whether you're vlogging while travelling or just shooting parts of your everyday life. It doesn’t matter how near or far you are from your subject when you have a reliable telephoto lens in your camera bag. Get up close with subjects from a distance in smooth zooming motion to add an extra dynamic element to your story.

Recommended

E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS (SELP18105G)
E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS (SEL70350G)

With all these capabilities that the ZV-E10 and its range of lenses have to offer, all you have to do is bring it out for adventures! Make sure that your battery is fully charged so that you don’t leave a single moment unrecorded; and it doesn’t hurt to bring a spare. With all that said and done, it’s time to fill your channel with your escapades!

Get your first vlog started in 3 easy steps

Although we have just given you a rundown of our recommended lenses, the ZV-E10’s versatile E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS kit lens (SELP1650) is perfect for you to get started. Being a retractable power zoom lens, you’ll be guaranteed effortless control across the zoom range, as well as gorgeous bokeh or sharp backgrounds whenever the situation arises. As you dip your toes into the craft of vlogging, the E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS is the best starting point for your creative endeavours.

Now that you have a basic idea of the different lenses that will serve you well on your vlogging journey, you’ll need a solid set-up before you start speaking to the camera so that you won’t have to overly treat your footage in the post-production process. It’s not complicated and saves you a lot of time when editing your vlog.

Step 1: Adjust your frame rate

For starters, you’ll want to capture smoother footage. You can do this by setting the frame rate of your camera to 30fps (frames per second) and your shutter speed to double your frame rate, at 1/60s. To adjust your frame rate on the ZV-E10, simply go to MENU → (Camera Settings2) → [Record Setting] → desired setting.

You’ll also want to adjust your shutter speed to capture fast-moving subjects without motion blur. All you have to do is change your Shoot Mode to Shutter Priority and turn your camera dial around to toggle between different shutter speeds.

By doing this, you’re sure to get clean-cut, cinematic shots without any fuss!

Step 2: Light it up

Next up, ensure that your face is well-lit whenever you’re in front of the camera. ISO settings determine your camera’s sensitivity to light, so if you don’t have lighting equipment on hand when shooting in low light, simply bump up your ISO and open your aperture to a wider setting. Conversely, if you’re shooting in bright, natural light, a low ISO will suffice.

Step 3: Get a grip!

Finally, you’ll need a good grip on your camera to capture smooth, stable videos. We recommend that you attach the GP-VPT2BT Shooting Grip to the ZV-E10, which allows you to quickly adjust the position of your camera on the go and double as a tripod for hands-free vlogging. Say goodbye to tangled cables with the GP-VPT2BT’s Bluetooth connectivity and enjoy easy access over remote control buttons on the grip, which give you handy control over your camera settings. Vlogging has never been easier or more convenient than this!

Recommended

GP-VPT2BT Shooting Grip with Wireless Remote Commander

And there you have it. You are ready to shoot your first vlog! Simple, isn’t it? All that’s left for you to do is put your best smile on in front of the camera. Happy trails!

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Macro/Close-ups

Cityscape/Nightscapes