Ken Rockwell

Today I'd like to share about a guy whose work may not mean much to some, but is invaluable to people like me. As an aspiring photographer paying his way through school, I don't have the resources to waste money or time on a mistaken purchase on photography equipment- whether it be as simple as a memory card or as definitive as a new lens. Every penny counts. (Ask anyone who knows me. If I see a penny on the ground, that sucker's mine!) So naturally, I research before I buy something.

The Internet is chock full of forums, discussions, reviews, and articles about almost anything. This is great, but it can be very time consuming to sift through articles looking for information, especially regarding photography equipment. And it seems that everyone has something to say; some sing praises about an item, while others loudly and forcefully denounce the same product. It can be difficult to know who to trust. Does an anonymous commenter really know what he's talking about when he trashes a product, or is the product actually decent? (Or vice versa!) And where can you find stuff once you've made a decision?

Enter this man.

Ken Rockwell

This guy is amazing. His extensive website and blog cover all major photography equipment and manufacturers anyone could ever want to know about. He has used almost every major camera available, and his reviews cover more than just cameras; he also discusses lenses, filters, flash, shooting techniques, and more. Everything he discusses and reviews is provided with purchase locations and information. And the best part? All of this is free on his website. People spend hundreds of dollars on photography books that don't teach even half of the information that Ken Rockwell shares (and his is all up to date!).

Now enter me. I used his detailed information to make my latest lens purchase, and I am now the proud owner of a Nikkor 50mm F/1.8 D fixed aperture lens.

It's so sexy.

I've been wanting a fixed aperture lens for quite some time now; however, there are many out there, and I wanted to make the best educated purchase I could. Unsure exactly which fixed aperture lens I wanted, I consulted Ken's research. Turns out, the 50mm F/1.8 is one of the best lenses any Nikon photographer could own, which I previously wasn't aware of. My current camera, a Nikon D5100, is not autofocus-compatible with the 50mm F/1.8 D lens. However, I am currently in the process of upgrading to the Nikon D7000, which is autofocus-compatible with this lens. Since the lens works manually on either camera model regardless of the autofocus setup, the lens is perfect for me right now. Long story short, I saved at least $150, and it's the little things like this that make me happy. Life is not won all at once, but rather in small steps along the way.

Here are a couple test shots I took with the new lens. I'm in love. 

So yeah, Ken Rockwell wins major kudos from me, hence this shoutout. He's candid, down-to-earth, and honest. He even replied to a brief thank-you email I wrote him that same day. Very impressive.

Closing thought: think before you buy! And look for good honest voices like Ken Rockwell when researching; it's worth it.


**rule 32**

- Knolster