I got a new lens yesterday — the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L. I think this is going to be my new all-purpose lens. I enjoyed using the 35mm f/1.4, but I don’t think my copy is very good, as anything shot faster than f/2 is usually out of focus.  I’ll be selling that lens, as well as my Canon 24-105mm f/4 L. The new 24-70 will focus a lot closer than the 24-105 did (making it great for restaurant use), pictures are a lot prettier at f/2.8 than at f/4, and a zoom is more versatile than a 35mm prime.

When I was playing with the lens last night, I took two pictures — one with the flash, and one without. My one piece of advice to anybody taking a picture with any camera: do not ever use a direct flash. You might get a shot with a flash that you couldn’t get otherwise, but it’s almost always going to look like arse. I would say that I’ll never post a picture on here with a flash (although I did it once to illuminate an otherwise “scary” ride on the Santa Cruz boardwalk), but just to make a point, here’s a picture of Loki with no flash, taken last night:

And here’s a shot with a flash.

See? Even Loki can’t withstand the harshness of a flash. Imagine how your sushi would feel.

Back to work!  Can your middle school band play in syncopated 5/4? If so, the piece I’m writing for Deer Path Middle School will be the perfect piece for you. If not, but you want the band to learn to play in syncopated 5/4, the piece I’m writing for Deer Path Middle School will be the perfect piece for you. And did I mention the cheese grater?