Kieran Ball

Lenses

Everyone says that lenses are the most important part of a photographer’s kit. Actually, most say the photographer is the most important part. I would say both of these are true – some of my favourite photos were taken on my Canon point-n-shoot camera. But each time I get a new lens for my camera I’m blown away by the new possibilities. I don’t have many so far, but I’m gradually building up my collection, and to be honest, I don’t have room for many more.

• Canon 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM – this is my widest lens and also my only zoom lens. It’s not an L-series lens, but it is very good and really, who can tell the difference? OK, so some people can, but like those who can really distinguish between a pint of Stella and a pint of Carling, they’re few and far between. This is the lens I carry around most of the time. I also have a fader ND filter for it, to retain a shallow depth of field when I’m filming.
• Sigma 30mm f.1.4 – I have mixed feelings about this lens. It’s great it low light and at approximately 50mm equivalent focal length, is perfect for framing shots nicely. But it’s very difficult to focus – often I will take a photo that looks good on the camera screen only to find it’s out of focus when I look at it on the computer. Still, everyone should have a fast lens like this in their collection.
• Canon 135mm f2.0L – this is a legendary portrait lens, incredibly sharp, very fast. I don’t use it too often but whenever I want to do a headshot for someone, this is the lens that does it best. Highly recommended.
• Canon 100mm f2.8L macro IS – this is my newest lens and I’m very happy with it. Incredibly sharp and beautifully detailed macro shots. And the long focal length is useful for long range shots of people in the street. I haven’t had a chance to get the most out of this lens yet, but keep an eye out for updates, I will surely be using the lens a lot. Another benefit – with the lens hood and zacuto Z finder attached to my camera, it becomes a behemoth of a piece of kit. Cue the envious looks.

Cameras

I post a mix of old and new things on this blog, so many of them will have been taken with cameras other than my most recent. In fact, some of my best ones were taken with my old Canon Powershot S70. Here is a list of cameras I have owned (and, for the most part, broken).

• Canon S70 – this brick of a camera accompanied me around the world for a year and never let me down. It takes amazing photos, some of which I’ve blown up extremely large with no loss of quality. Unfortunately, it is now broken.
  

  Canon S70 - tough as houses, could be used to build houses

• Canon G9 – another great compact camera, tough build and stylish look. I used this extensively in Cambodia and Indonesia, especially its video capabilities, which are great (although not HD) – especially the timelapse function which was subsequently missing on the G10. Unfortunately, it is now broken.
  

  Canon G9 - looks retro, acts future

• Canon 350D – my first digital SLR. Very lightweight and small, but takes great photos all the same. Better than the above two cameras purely because it can achieve a shallower depth of field. Still working!
  

  Canon 350D - lightweight and doesn't break

• Canon 40D – I chose this over the 50D because I didn’t want the additional megapixels, and was never disappointed. This camera is fantastic and can take professional-quality shots when paired with the right lenses. I’ve sold this one to my friend Andy on a permanent borrow-back deal.
  

  Canon 40D - better than the 50D

• Canon 7D – this camera is the daddy. It was a tough choice between this and the 5D Mk II but in the end, the additional features on this combined with the cheaper price tag won it for me. The highlight of the camera is the HD video mode. Unfortunately, it is now broken.
  

  Canon 7D - amazing camera but will break if dropped out of window

• Not pictured: Nikon Coolpix S51C, Sony Cybershot DSC-T1, Sony Cybershot DSC P200, Lomo LCA