I bought a NEW LENS today! Very exciting. I've gotten tired of my kit lens, which is a 18-55mm 52mm 3.5/5.6 lens. The new one is a Nikon 28-80mm 58mm 3.5/5.6. So it has a bit better range, it's a bit more wide angle, and it's much smaller and lighter. Partly because it doesn't have vibration reduction. Also, the auto-focus is not compatible with my camera. AF was weird at first when I switched to digital since my film camera never had that, but now I'm used to it, so we'll see. Anyway, the lens was only $43 post-tax because it ended up being on a bit of a sale. AND I have 30 days to try it out and return it. Low-risk situation.
I think part of my issue is that digital photography has a different philosophy than film (for me). With film, I'd shoot a roll of 36, usually only one shot per subject. Maybe two. I'd spend a little more time setting up the camera/framing/composition to take each picture, and I'd usually come out of my roll with just three or four (more on a really good day) that I actually wanted to print. I don't remember feeling any remorse for the compositions that didn't work out. It was about the final finished art. And the process of getting it. I really miss darkroom time.
With digital photography, I'm not as into the "art" aspect as I am into attempting to preserve memories or places. I want each picture to come out perfect--I'll take ten of one thing and try to choose the best later, and I feel disappointed if I don't really like any of those ten. I'm less forgiving if something I was trying to shoot ends up just not working.
I think I would enjoy myself more and use my camera more and like the outcome more if I could think of digital with a philosophy more akin to my old film mindset. With all that being said, I think that being forced to manual focus is a GOOD thing because I think it may help me take better pictures. Even if some of them will inevitably turn out to be out of focus.
Regardless, getting a new toy makes me want to take more pictures! I had about 25 minutes between buying the lens and needing to leave for work, so I took a random little walk and came out with some fun things.
