Let’s take a break from Asphalt Cocktail postings, shall we?

I changed a bunch of camera gear a few weeks ago. I sold my Canon 40D, the Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5, and the Canon 24-105mm f/4 L, replacing them with the Canon 5D Mark II, the Canon 85mm f/1.2 L II, and the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L II. I thought I’d post some pictures from the 16-35mm f/2.8 L II.

Being an ultra wide-angle lens, this is not a good lens for portraits, particularly at the 16mm end.  Loki’s ear is not really as large as the rest of his face.

One nice thing about this lens is that it’s very sharp, and the colors it produces — blues and greens in particular — are stunning.

Wide angle lenses are fun because you can get a ton in a shot, but the foreground is the most dominant thing. That makes it a weird portrait lens, because things like noses and ears are exaggerated, but you can also accomplish funny things like this shot, where Loki’s head looks like it’s the same size as his whole body.  It’s like Anime Loki!

Here’s a shot from AEJ’s library — a few of her towers of books.  This shot is possible because the lens can also shoot very fast at f/2.8 (smaller numbers are “faster”), so only the foreground is in focus, adding to the illusion that the towers extend much higher than they do.  (Not that the towers are short.  Each one nearly reaches the ceiling — and there’s another one on the other side of the windows.  AEJ likes books.)

This is the light fixture in AEJ’s library. It looks like a spider with light bulbs for feet.

The lens is also great for landscape photography. This is a shot from our front door. The greens and blues really pop with this lens, and everything is mega-sharp.

Mr. Kitty would really like to join me outside. Poor kitty.

And with this, Loki shall continue to be the most photographed cat ever. I suspect he’ll prefer to be shot with my new 85mm f/1.2 L II — a true “portrait lens.” Hold still, Mr. Kitty. We’ll get that entry soon enough. (My apologies to the non cat lovers…)