What lens? Useful focal length plugin for Lightroom

puddleduck

puddleduck

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Name
Andy Drake
Edit My Images
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Hi folks

This Lightroom plugin could be useful for anyone considering buying a new lens...

Its call "Jeffrey's Focal Length plot" - http://regex.info/blog/lightroom-goodies/data-plot

I myself am considering buying a new Zeiss 24mm f/2 lens (£1k+) so I thought it would be useful to see how much I really shoot at 24mm first..so I decided to check out how much I shoot in that area currently but running the plugin over my A900 and D700 images.

On my A900:


lens-use.jpg

​

I'm using wide angles a lot (not suprisingly, as its my landscape body), but probably covering that 24mm range with zooms nice - I don't really seem to shoot 24mm exclusively to justify £1k on cold hard facts

On my D700:


d700-lens-use.jpg

​
Again, I'm shooting at the wider ends - with the 300mm spike due to 300mm prime usage.

I surprised myself but how much of a long lens guy I still am - 10% on the D700, and 30% with the Sony A900!

As to the Zeiss 24mm f/2 - the figures don't lie - while I do shoot a lot in and around that area, I'm covering it with zooms - Zeiss 16-35 f/2.8 SSM in Sony fit, and Nikkor 17-35 f/2.8 AF-S in Nikon.

Nice plugin that I recommend anyone runs now and again prior to splashing the cash :)

(if you dont' have Lightroom, there is an alternative: http://www.cpr.demon.nl/prog_plotf.html)

HTH
 
Andy,

Many thanks for the link to this excellent plugin.

I like the way you can select individual folders or the root folder to extract the information. My catalogues and files are arranged in years and month order. It is interesting to see how year by year or month by month the focal lengths change.

I knew I was right to buy the 85mmL :D
 
I would say this would be invaluable to a beginner who just had 18-55mm and 55-200mm kit lenses because you can really see most used focal lengths so when they want to upgrade then they can see what they really need.
 
Looks very useful. Thanks for sharing.
 
Cheers andy, that saves me buying the 16mm lens I was thinking about :) The graph shows that I never shoot at that focal length :thumbs:



EDIT: Oh yes, I don't have a 16mm :bonk:


{only joking, looks like a useful plug-in}
 
really? i cant get it to work and curious as to what lengths i use before i buy some minolta glass!
 
onefunkypenguin said:
really? i cant get it to work and curious as to what lengths i use before i buy some minolta glass!
Click to expand...

Did you read the links in the opening post. Especially the FAQ...

Its very easy to use, so not quite sure how it doesn't work for you?
 
i installed the plug in, selected all then went to file, it worked through them all but dont know where to find the information?
 
onefunkypenguin said:
i installed the plug in, selected all then went to file, it worked through them all but dont know where to find the information?
Click to expand...

File -> PlugIn Extras

If that doesn't work follow the link the in FAQ and send the the author the error log.
 
I was just referred to this post from another thread after wondering how I could find out my most oft-used focal lengths. Used the latter program as Lightroom isn't installed on this PC. Does exactly what I need so thanks for the good find Puddleduck!
 
Interesting, apparently 28% of all my shooting occurs between 24-26mm. I had a feeling I used wide a lot since going FF but that's a fair percentage.

Very interesting and useful plugin - thanks Andy.
 
Thank you every so much, Andy; I know this will come in useful for my OH, to help her form a case against my need for a new lens :razz:



puddleduck said:
<snip>

Nice plugin that I recommend anyone runs now and again prior to splashing the cash :)

<snip>
Click to expand...

I'm not too sure the camera manufacturers will be too happy with this :p. On a personal note, I prefer to buy what I like rather than what I need / use :nuts:

But on a serious note, it is very helpful on many levels. I can't wait to put this to the run and see what focal lengths I use most for the different type of shoots I do (landscape in particular).

Again, thank you for the link; very helpful, as always.
 
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