Canon, Nikon and Sony News for Jan 2018 Report News & Deals  ►

Getting a lens for the ones you love makes a lot of sense at the time of the year just past (Christmas just passed in case you are reading this later) or any time of the year, really. But, getting a lens because of the ones you love is another great idea.
 
I have never heard anyone say that they had too many pictures of their kids. If your kids are still at home, photograph them like crazy. Time flies – they will not be with you for long. If your kids are coming home, be ready to do the same.
 
Visiting with your parents? Getting together with friends and other family members? The same advice applies.
 
The chances are that even those who claim to hate having their picture taken will be glad you pressured them into it.
 
Few lenses are as well-suited for photographing people as the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM Lens, especially because the 85mm focal length provides an ideal perspective at normal portrait working distances. The image stabilization feature in this lens makes it even more capable in that role, especially when the light goes dim.
 
Your skills aided by this lens are sure to make even the most difficult subjects look their best, including under very challenging lighting. Performing well the first time usually means the second time is more likely to happen.
 
That photographing people is one of the easiest paid photography jobs to find is certainly an attraction for this lens. Portraits of specific individuals cannot be found in stock libraries and, in the marketplace, unavailability adds value. Of course, earning money helps to justify the purchase in the first place.
 
Get this lens for your family and friends, for capturing treasured memories of them. Get this lens for gaining clients and for keeping them happy. Get the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS Lens for you.
 
While I expect that you would love the 85 f/1.4L IS, even if you don't get this lens, I still strongly encourage you to photograph those you love with the lens you have. That you will not regret.
 
The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM Lens has been hard to find in stock since it first hit the streets, but it has just arrived in stock at B&H, Amazon and the Canon Store. It is coming soon to Adorama and WEX.
 
Not convinced that this lens is for you? Or, want to spend only a short time enjoying it? Schedule some quality time via Lensrentals.com.
 
A larger version of this image is available on Flickr.

Mikayla wanted to go riding and I wanted to give the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens a workout. Those "wants" fit together perfectly. For this session, we headed to the top of a nearby small mountain. With an unobstructed view and a low camera position, a very attractive, non-distracting background often becomes available in these "top" locations and that enables the primary subject to become prominent in the frame. The sky usually makes a good background and distant landscape also works well in that regard.
 
The 100-400mm focal length range is a great one for chasing the kids with. In this case, when the horse was standing as seen here, I could move in close and zoom out to make the horse and rider appear large in their environment. When the horse was moving at a fast speed, I could zoom in to catch more-distant (safer) action and zoom out as the pair approached.
 
The FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens is a great and much-needed part of Sony's lineup. Those with Sony-based kits should seriously consider acquiring this high-grade option (if it is not already there). This lens has the perfect combination of excellent performance and extreme usefulness.
 
A larger version of this image is available on Flickr.