Nikon, you are driving me batty!  I have made the decision to convert completely to mirrorless photography and had a plan to change over my current collection of lenses to their mirrorless counterparts. The next one I expected to see was the 70-200mm f2.8 “S” version, but Nikon had other ideas, catching me by surprise with the release this week of the 85mm f 1.8 S portrait lens. I keep telling myself that I don’t need it, that I can make do quite easily with what I have, but the allure of a new, fast lens is hard to resist.

I know I am not alone in this “gear lust” phenomena, and while the truth be told any photographer can probably create  90 per cent of the photos they attach their name to with one and possibly two lenses, each of these “extras” brings a degree of specialization that (we hope) will be enough to set us apart from all the other photographic artists in the world.

We’re good at deceiving ourselves; cognitive dissonance helps us to create the outcome we wish to realize when really it is the creative ability, not the equipment, that will ultimately make the difference. If you want to create unique images, you have to see the world in a unique way.

Yet even as I write this, that little voice is whispering in my ear (Yeah, but with the 85 mm S you could have a unique perspective…”

Thanks Nikon.

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