Straight up. This is a fantastic lens. I love everything about it. It’s unique, tactile, involving, solid and damn fun. Would I recommened it to everyone? Well, that’s a tough call.

My version is the production version (black ring).
Photo from 43rumors.com

So, here are my reasons for loving this lens.

It’s a film lens. Having spent time around motion picture cameras, handling this lens reminds me of glass we used to carefully pass around the set for an Arri 16mm. The rings are buttery smooth and offer a solid resistence. They’re also “geared” (as in the texture of the ring), as if to mate with follow-focus units, more evidence this is more video focused. For photography, focusing takes time and care. To overcome this hurdle, I leave it on inifinty, wide open and ISO on auto. A snap shot just requires a tiny focus adjustment if the subject is any closer than a few feet away. But part of the joy of photography for me is getting involved in the subject, up close and person. Another reason why the 12mm/24mm range is so fun for me. Although I do love shooting video (see my travelogue with the GH2 & 20mm 1.7), photography is what I spend most my time with.

The glare. Yeop. There’s glare. Try shooting towards a light source at f/1.6 and you’ll hear “Crimson and Clover” echoing in the distance. Stop is down just a tad, and the glare disappears. I like this quirk though.

Clarity and quality. Certainly not as crisp as my other favorite lens, the panasonic 20mm 1.7, but this is still a serious lens. It produces images that feel very intamite, sincere and cinematic. There’s distortion, but it all adds to the mojo.

Size and weight. The HyperPrime is a big, hefty, solid lens. My one complain about the construction is that there is some wiggle in the m4/3 mount that attaches the lens to the GH2. There’s a very tiny bit of play, and because turning the rings requires some force, you can feel it all the time. Perhaps this is just mine. If you have one, I’d like to know please!

All in all, this lens suits me and my approach to photography. It’s involving to use, opens up many creative options, forces you to really craft your shot and produces images that draw you in. It’s not for everyone, but for those it is for, this is truely a special lens.

Here are examples of my past week with this lens. All shot on the GH2 (setting on “Smooth”), enjoying in the fall wonderland in and around my city, Toronto.

(cick images to enlarge)

Coldplay’s haunting classic ‘The Scientist’ is performed by country music legend Willie Nelson for the soundtrack of the short film entitled, “Back to the Start.” The film, by film-maker Johnny Kelly, depicts the life of a farmer as he slowly turns his family farm into an industrial animal factory before seeing the errors of his ways and opting for a more sustainable future. Both the film and the soundtrack were commissioned by Chipotle to emphasize the importance of developing a sustainable food system.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMfSGt6rHos

Click here to watch this in its full 720p high definition glory, directly on the Vimeo site!

Presenting an incredibly dramatic travelogue of my April 2011 adventure, revisiting friends in Bangkok, motorcycling solo for a week and a half throughout Laos, and an epic two weeks with my wife in Bali, Indonesia.

CONTENTS
——————————-
0:00 Thailand
3:45 Laos
10:45 Bali, Indonesia

MUSIC (in order)
——————————-
“Call” from “A Memory Stream” by “The American Dollar”
“Love Like A Sunset II” from “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix” by “Phoenix”
“Ready to Start” from “The Suburbs” by “Arcade Fire”
“Helena Beat” by “Foster the People”
“Into The Sea” from “Into The Blue Again” by “The Album Leaf”

CAMERA
——————————-
Panasonic Lumix GH2
20mm 1.7 (Mostly)
14-42mm (If I had to. It’s garbage.)

VIA
——————————-
By any means (Thailand)
Honda XR250 Baja (Laos)
Honda Jazz (Bali)

Narrated by Academy Award-winner Jeremy Irons, this “mockumentary” video, hammers home the stark reality of California’s plastic bag pollution situation.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLgh9h2ePYw

During the second Iraq War in 2003, it was reported that a pride of Lions from the Baghdad Zoo had escaped during the fierce bombings during the opening days of the conflict. “Pride of Baghdad”, a graphic novel by Brian K. Vaughan and art by Nico Hernrichon is a telling of this event, and is an overwhelmingly powerful and emotional read. And a quick one at that, perhaps a couple hours at the most, but its impact will last quite a while longer.

“The sky is falling” says the crow.

["Pride of Baghdad" on wikipedia]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGn9p8p_oek

“The Zimbabwean newspaper, has been driven into exile for reporting on how the Mugabe regime has rigged elections, crushed the opposition, caused poverty, disease and the total collapse of the economy. And now, having been exiled, the regime has slapped a 55% luxury import duty on the paper (as if freedom of speech is a luxury) that makes it unaffordable for the average Zimbabwean. To get the paper into Zimbabwean hands, it needs to be subsidised, and our client can only do that by raising awareness, acquiring new customers and driving sales outside Zimbabwe.” -- KirstenEDDY

*Thanks to Karen King for sending this to me.

As a marketer, my greatest challenge is getting people to willingly participate with a brands message and have fun with it. I’ve never been a fan of marketing tactics that spoon feed mass audiences, rather, focusing on creating unique experiences that inspire individuals to realize the benefits within their own lives. I understand the pros of traditional shotgun advertising. It’s effective, that is, if you’re a corporation offering a core public service. For me, it’s more personal than that. We need to connect with people, with specific niche audiences. It’s increasingly much more effective to make a personal connection with a few, then trying to convince the many. Those few, with social marketing on the rise, are really connected! Create the brand champions, and the word will find it’s way to those most interested.

Here are some unique marketing ideas I’ve found over the past week for a variety of industries that have gotten people talking, and, most importantly to those in the charitable sector, are also beautifully simple.

[Direct Daily]

Human Rights, something that affects us all, if often misunderstood. To us fortunate to live in developed countries, it is generally considered a concept that doesn’t really apply to us. Moreover, why, if there is a universal Human Rights, are there worldwide abuses still occurring today?

United for Human Rights has created this excellent 10 minute video on the history, impact and importance the Declaration of Human Rights plays in our daily lives. Watch it below.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot8YGiRtB7U

From the same team that produced the incredible “Planet Earth”, this nature documentary series focuses on the diversity of life on our planet, but more importantly, how life has evolved in the most unbelievable ways to survive. I found several videos on youtube, and the clip below features the Tufted Capuchins, a type of monkey indigenous to Brazil that over generations and generations, have learned to use an “anvil” and “hammer” to open nuts they’ve been curing for a week. Don’t believe me? Well, I wouldn’t have. Click play below and get ready for your world to be rocked.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G60UCeXFp0