Too perfect (Patreon)

I'm not a gear buff. 

I've worked with so many different cameras, lenses, and formats that I have come to think of cameras and lenses as a tool, like a frying pan is to a chef.

But there are exceptions, of course.

When I shot these images in the Lake District, the atmosphere almost begged for being treated with a unique lens as it adds a certain timelessness.

I shot the first image (Tania Aresti) with my usual go-to lens for outdoor work, a Sony G-master 24-70mm f. 2.8. It sharp, perform well, but it's almost too good. Too sharp. Too perfect.

I shot the other two images (Eowyn Luna & Tania) in the same place. But I used a Lomo Petzval 85mm with a shift/tilt adapter. The adapter allows me to fiddle a little extra with focus and perspective. 

It's not that sharp, it has artifacts, bokeh is outrageous, but it's ever so gorgeous, and I love the image quality especially for something timeless like this. This kind of image is the exception where the equipment adds something special that you can't easily do in post-production.

What do you think can lenses be too good?