New Camera Lens Arrived

Remember when I said I ordered a New Camera Lens?

It arrived today!  The Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II  Standard & Medium Telephoto

 

 

I also ordered a UV Filter for it

 

 

 

 

The above pictures were all taken with the lens that came with my camera.  

The pictures that follow below were all taken with the new lens, the 50 mm 1.8

Frame of reference.  That’s my left pinky and I am leaning as far back as I can with the camera in my right hand to get the shot. 

I am standing much farther back than I’ve had to with the 18-55 mm lens that I had been using. And standing tons farther back than with my point and shoot.  Tons.  Feet, not inches, type thing.

 

I went to TJ’s and picked up a few things and raced home to photography them.  Budding photography dork, I know.

In Janetha’s honor, I got some 21 Seasoning Salute.  She raves about this stuff and it’s salt free and garlic is way down on the ingredient list, which for me, is a very good thing.

Trying to get them both in focus with the jars side by side was better.  But the focus is not perfectly crisp.  I was shooting on P setting.  Which is a manual setting on my camera, but still uses auto-focusing.   So it’s not fully manual which I think I need to try that.   Or stand back even more?

 

But hell yeah.  I did get those little tiny chocolate chips in perfect focus.  That’s a sign, surely, that chocolate and I are meant to be.

From my post earlier today about Soup on Crackers and deconstructed foods or interesting combos of foods you enjoy, thanks for chiming in with your slightly wacky combos. 

Honestly, reading food blogs is an exercise in whacky combos I think.  I mean, really, the things we bloggers do from putting Nutritional Yeast (Nooch) in things to chia seeds to green juices.  It’s a little “wacky” for the average person who doesn’t read blogs, but it’s our normal.   That’s why I love this community!  

And I’m glad you all got a laugh from our pictures being all bundled up in winter coats and Uggs, for 60F “winter” weather.  I grew up in MN and went to college there, and then lived in Chicago and so I know what -40F feels like.  Thankfully, I never plan to feel that again.   And now, high 50s or low 60s to me is winter. 

Dessert: Butterscotch Rice Krispy Treats with Vegan Chocolate Frosting
There was a reason that I needed to pick up a couple bags of TJs chocolate chips.  I have been hard at work making Vegan Chocolate Frosting  which topped a new dessert I made.  Recipe to follow later this week.

 

 

Tip: Did you see my Give Away for NuNaturals Stevia for 4 Winners?
Last Chance to Enter- Ends Tuesday morning 1/11/11 (omg Janetha must be going gaga over that number!)

Questions
1. If you have a DSLR, what lenses do you have and love?   And for what shots?
I am finding that the new lens is probably going to do a great job with food closeups (once I get the focusing figured out a bit better).

And the lens that came with the camera is good for more general shots, outdoors, and shots that are farther back and don’t require getting as close.   It still gets close, though.  See This Post. 

Many people at camera stores or online when I was researching the camera said that it wasn’t a “great” lens.  But for a novice DSLR user like me, it has been fine and I will continue to use it.

This is my off the cuff assessment after playing around with it for a half hour, so obviously my thoughts can change! 

2. Do you have any wish list lenses?  If so, what are they?  And why?
I am trying to learn and soak up everything I can from you all so please, share away!  

I have a wish list, too.  Not all of it is lenses.  Some of it is cute dishes.

3. What are your favorite TJ’s products?  Or any grocery strore finds or products you’re loving lately?
Off the top of my head, just a few things I love is their coffee, salad mixes, 19 cent bananas, fresh veggies, canned beans, frozen mango, frozen artichokes, and Mango Ginger Chutney

To make Mango Ginger Maple Tofu
If you don’t have that exact chutney, any type of apricot or peach preserves or jam will work.

What are your fave grocery products?

See you in the morning with the Give Away for NuNaturals Stevia 4 Winners!