About

About Admiring Light

I started Admiring Light in early 2012 as a way to share my point of view about photography with the world.  I’ve been shooting seriously for nearly twenty years, and have extensive experience with a wide range of photographic equipment, from the entry-level to the top-of-the-line.  When reviewing gear, I strive to provide a shooter’s perspective and pass along how equipment translates to results in real-world situations.  My hope is that Admiring Light stands as a trusted resource for photographers with regards to equipment, technique and vision.

The name of this site, Admiring Light, came from the idea that as photographers, we strive to capture the light in front of us.  The best images tend to come with the best light, and in really special circumstances, all you can do is sit back and admire the light.  There is a beauty in this world that is sometimes lost in our everyday lives, and we need to remind ourselves to slow down and just take it all in.

Jordan Steele – Editor-in-Chief, Admiring Light

I grew up in northeast Ohio and went to college at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.  After graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering, I served for four and a half years on active duty in the US Army.  The Army brought me to Germany in the early 2000s, and it was there that I found a passion for photography.  I had used a compact film camera since I was in high school for random shots of family and friends, and I got my first digital camera, a fully automatic 2 megapixel brick, in 2001.  While traveling in Europe I began to really work on my photography, and shortly thereafter I started getting serious about the craft.  I began reading as much as I could about photography, and would take picture after picture to try new techniques out.

Throughout the rest of my time in Europe, my photography continued to improve and improve, and I really began to view it as an art, an escape and a passion. I currently live in Columbus, OH, and while I don’t get to travel like I did in Europe, there are opportunities for great photography wherever you happen to be.

On the gear side, I shot with Canon DSLRs for approximately 7 years.  However, I started to feel really bogged down by the weight and bulk of my full-frame SLR kit and began the switch to a smaller system in 2010. I’ve been shooting mirrorless bodies since then, from Micro 4/3 to Fujifilm X, Sony E mount, Canon RF and Nikon Z.  I’m currently shooting with the Nikon Z8 and Zf, the Canon EOS R8, and the Fujiflm X100V. I also shoot medium format film with a Mamiya C330f, and do aerial photography with a DJI Mini 4 Pro. All of these systems have their strengths and weaknesses, but the key is to enjoy photography and focus on the image.

Comments

55 responses to “About”

  1. Mark Avatar
    Mark

    Jordan, very cool site. You are off to a great start. Yours is just the kind of site I want to promote on my blog, Micro Four Thirds Photographer.

    I’m asked frequently, “what is the best camera to buy?”. So, I created a blog to answer that question and to make the public aware of the micro 4/3 format. I believe there is no better way to do that than to direct readers to photographers that are producing fantastic work with this equipment. I’d like to point my readers (when I get some) to your website as a resource. Is that okay with you?

    I look forward many more images, travel diaries and thoughts on photography.

    Mark Carpenter
    Converse, TX

    Reply
    1. Jordan Steele Avatar
      Jordan Steele

      Thank you! I would be happy to have you link to my site from yours.

      Reply
  2. Dean Forbes Avatar
    Dean Forbes

    Found you blog via a mention of your Olympus 12mm review on 43 Rumors. I plan to read more about your experiences with mFT cameras and lenses as I can relate to your comment about feeling bogged down carrying heavy dSLRs. This is my year to replace my D300 bodies and I’m seriously interested in the new OM-D EM-5.

    If I may ask: In addition to the great primes, do you like any of the Oly or Panny mid-range and telephoto zooms? My typical walkaround journalism/street set up is two bodies and two zooms. Thanks.

    Reply
    1. Jordan Steele Avatar
      Jordan Steele

      I am looking for more speed in my telephoto zooms, but some of the slow telezooms out there are fairly decent. I’ve owned the Panny 45-200 and 45-175 X, and currently own the Olympus 40-150. The Oly is the sharpest of the three by far, at least from close focus to about 20-30 feet out. It softens a little at the long end on distant subjects. The 45-200 is good, but is quite large, and the longer part of the zoom range is average. Also, I had some inconsistencies with the OIS on that lens. The 45-175X is really well built…as compact as the Oly, but with internal zooming. I really liked the ergonomics of the lens, but I tried two copies and both suffered from IS problems between 1/50s and 1/160s…which would cause double images when IS is on, regardless of your own stability. I’d get sharp shots at 1/20s, but 1/100s would be impossible. Since it doesn’t have an IS switch on the body, it was also a pain to switch on and off through the camera. I returned it after two weeks. So, I’m sticking with the Oly, even without IS, due to its small size and very good optics (and great price), though I’m really looking forward to the upcoming Panasonic 35-100 f/2.8, provided it doesn’t suffer from the same OIS problems.

      Reply
      1. Dean Forbes Avatar
        Dean Forbes

        Thanks for this detailed reply.

        Reply
      2. Steve Solomon Avatar
        Steve Solomon

        Excellent site, Mr. Steele! I currently shoot a Pentax K-5, with some deliciously sharp Pentax FA and DA* optics. If oyu check my site, though low-res jpegs, it will give you an idea of the image quality I’m obtaining from this kit. That said, I now realize, with the introduction of the new Pentax K-5 IIs, that I am not getting optimum sharpness and detail from my Pentax lenses, which has led me to consider an alternative “travel” system such as the OM-D and the equally sharp Olympus primes. However, I am also considering the new Fuji X100S, which would, I think, make a very comact, light travel kit, while maintaining utmost sharpness and image quality. I am wondering what your opinion is of the following: Which system (Fuji X100S or OM-D) would permit maintain the maximum sharpness and detail in prints above 20×24 inches? I realize that it’s almost an apples to oranges comparison (with sensor size and lens interchangability, but I’m really interested in sharpness and detail.)Thank you. .

        Reply
  3. Dennis Kane Avatar
    Dennis Kane

    Hi Jordan
    Very well done website, I am sure I will be a regular visitor. I love your photography and thank you for providing great information that will help me become a better photographer. My experience is similar to yours. I sold all my Nikon and now shoot with the GH2. I plan to buy the new Olympus EM 5 for my wife, and put her Nikon and lenses on ebay as well. The small size of these cameras has liberated me from the bulk of Nikon without any decrease in photo quality. Now with the GH2 I carry it more often, take more photos and feel I am learning more than I did with the Nikon. Generally, having more fun.
    Thank you
    Dennis Kane

    Reply
  4. Patty Adams Avatar
    Patty Adams

    Came across your site by pure chance and love your site, your teachings and your photos. Like you I had a full frame camera (Canon Mark 1 5D) but after a trip to New York in the winter I found I saw lots of things but took very few photos mainly becasue tof the size and weight of my camera and lenses. i am just about to start my journey into micro 4/3 and am busy doing my research and reading as much as I can. i think I am going down the Olympus OMD 5 pathway.
    Thanks for the inspiration you have given me!

    Reply
  5. Will Avatar
    Will

    Hi Jordan,

    Great inspiring website. Makes me speed up my wish to replace my stolen GF-1.
    Can you tell me why you choose a GX-1 + EVF instead of a G-3 : same sensor and EVF but more grip with long lenses mounted ?
    Thanks.

    Reply
    1. Jordan Steele Avatar
      Jordan Steele

      I have the GX1 because I use it without the viewfinder a fair bit as well, mainly when I just pop the GX1 and Oly 12mm and 45mm into a belt pouch for really lightweight shooting. I also own the GH2, so when I need a larger better handling body or will be using the EVF full time, I use my GH2. The GX1 is great because either can be really small, or I can pop on the EVF and have a fully capable backup to my GH2.

      Reply
  6. Geoff Howard Avatar
    Geoff Howard

    Hi Jordan,

    Great site just found it from a link on 43 rumours.

    Just a brief request for comment.

    I use both the 43 and u43 systems, 43 thirds consisting of E-1 & E-620
    bodies along with 11-22 Zuiko, 50 Zuiko, 50-200 Zuiko supplemented with
    18-50 EX DC Sigma lenses along with a few of the budget range. My u43
    consisting of E-P2 with EVF, 14-42 M-Zuiko, 17 M-Zuiko, 40-150 M-Zuiko, 45
    M-Zuiko with 14 Lumix. I am interested in the Sigma 19 & 30 EX DN’s however
    I note mixed revues on the 30 while the 19 gets good ones. While looking at
    the 19 I must also consider the Lumix 20, though that itself has had many
    mixed revues, one revue even saying it is both slow and fast (to focus) in
    the same article.

    As I find your revues relatively brief and easy to read along with being
    most objective in content, I would appreciate any aditional comments you
    might have on the 19/20 mm (Sigma / Lumix) comparison.

    Maybe not so brief, your response or any comments from others would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply
  7. Frank Villafane Avatar
    Frank Villafane

    Hey Jordan,

    Love your blog, so I checked out your site and attempted to contact you at info@jordansteele.com, but my email was returned with a 550 Mailbox quota exceeded. Please email me back at a valid address and I’ll try again.

    Frank V.
    Photographer, Urban Industrial Imaging

    Reply
    1. Jordan Steele Avatar
      Jordan Steele

      Sorry about that…mailbox limit removed (didn’t know I had a limit set on that inbox)…you should be good to go to send e-mail to that address now.

      Reply
  8. Gary Long Avatar
    Gary Long

    Hi Jordan,

    Like your site. Just a small item to point out in your informative article “Full Frame Equivalence…”,

    In the following bullet point paragraph:

    The f-stop is one of the key components in exposure. The intensity of light hitting the film or sensor will be the same for the same f-stop, regardless of the focal length or actual physical aperture size. If you have a 200mm lens at f/2.8 and an 18mm lens at f/2.8, they both will have the exact same intensity of light hitting the sensor…the same number of photos per unit area.

    I think the word “photos” should read “photons”. Sorry, I was an editor by profession, and sometimes I can’t help myself. In any case, I’m sure most people understood what you meant.

    All the best,
    Gary Long

    Reply
  9. Steve Solomon Avatar
    Steve Solomon

    Fantastic article and site, sir! I shall check back often, as I am a photography fanatic, interested in maximum image quality! Thank you again!

    Reply
  10. Xavier Paris Avatar
    Xavier Paris

    Love you web site !

    Reply
  11. The Boondocks Avatar
    The Boondocks

    couldnt agree more

    Reply
  12. Wiliam Ing Avatar
    Wiliam Ing

    Hi Jordan:

    Discovered quite by chance your numerous images, miscellaneous postings and then this Website, when I was trying to find information on the Canon FD 50-300mm f/4.5L zoom, about which you have posted more information than any other individual I know of.

    Enjoy your musings about equipment and techniques, your obvious enthusiasm for the world of imagery and most of all your willingness to share your discoveries with the rest of us.

    Wanted you to know that your positive remarks about the Canon 50-300mm, along with your many excellent sample photographs, were instrumental in pushing me over the edge to buy a very good used copy for myself. I love shooting wildlife and songbirds in my backyard with this lens mounted on my OMD-EM5. One day I may even deploy it to shoot golf at the local range, as you did.

    One question, if you will. You mentioned buying a 95mm screw-on metal lens shade to replace the missing original plastic Canon shade for this lens. From photos I’ve seen of your rig, this item looks to be a rather deep Desmond 95mm shade. It appears to fit the lens handsomely, but I wonder if it causes vignetting at the 50mm setting. If so, how long must you zoom before vignetting disappears?

    Thanks in advance for the information. Will look for your answer here.

    William Ing

    Reply
    1. Jordan Steele Avatar
      Jordan Steele

      Thanks for the kind words. On Micro4/3, the hood does not vignette at the 50mm setting. I don’t think mine is made by Desmond…not sure of the brand, but I bought it for like $10 on eBay. Works great, and since it’s the same diameter at the end as it is on the thread side, and has female threads on the end, I just leave it on and screw the lens cap to the hood.

      This hood does cause vignetting on full frame, however (I have an AE-1 that I can mount it to) at the wider focal lengths.

      Reply
  13. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    Jordan, thanks for the interesting and informative information on your site. It was great to get your In site on a lot of the photography gear I presently own, plus others I would like to get. I presently use a GH3 plus 8 other lens, both primes and high-end zooms. Soon I would like to add a second camera with the goal of it being capable exceptional image quality plus some of the convenient features I now enjoy with my GH3, but I also want to buy a few more high end primes (Voigtlander’s, Panasonic and Olympus). My stumbling block has been I am torn between only considering MFT bodies that can also use my existing great lenses, or possibly considering another non-MFT’s body that then doesn’t use any of my existing great lens, and in fact will require new additional great, but also expensive glass. I was intrigued by your comment that you recently added the Fuji X-E1 to your gear you are using (I am considering one of the Fuji or a Sony camera bodies myself), so I am interested in your thoughts on how it is going with two different systems. I understand the desire to buy your Fuji equipment and all that potentially adds to your own photography. My trauma and hesitation is enjoying the MFT world and wanting to still add to it, but looking now at some gear outside the MFT’s world – cost and otherwise. Maybe getting the Olympus OM D M1 or a simple, but excellent Fuji X100S makes more more sense for me.

    How has your journey and process gone? Thx. Dale

    Reply
    1. Jordan Steele Avatar
      Jordan Steele

      I’m finding myself falling in love with the Fujis. I now have the Fuji X-E1, X-M1, Fuji 14, 35, 60, 16-50 and 55-200. I’d consider the Fuji my ‘primary’ kit now, with Micro 4/3 as my ‘secondary’ system. I have pre-ordered the X-E2, as the improved autofocus looks like it could make Fuji truly come into its own. I have a feeling over the next several months, I will likely be maintaining Micro 4/3 for what it does REALLY well….the super small things (toss a body and collapsing zoom or pancake lens in a pocket), macro use (OM-D + Olympus 60 Macro is the best combination for Macro I’ve ever used) and compact supertelephoto.

      Micro 4/3 is certainly exceptionally capable and the quality really is relatively close to the Fuji’s, but I’m loving the simplified controls and I love the rendering the Fuji lenses have…they all draw similarly, with excellent bokeh and nice sharpness with good transition. The Micro 4/3 cameras are definitely still more responsive with faster AF and will always maintain a size advantage with the lenses. The IBIS on the OM-D is amazing and there are some truly excellent features. I should be getting a review unit of the E-M1 in the next week or so.

      Reply
  14. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    Ahhh Jordan, I think you just cost me more money in other new lenses I’ll have to buy. I’ll call it even on the camera body since I was going to buy another one anyway. Thanks, and I shall look anxiously for that other review on that Fuji. Dale

    Reply
  15. Ken Avatar
    Ken

    I have been having trouble with your capcha settings. 5×4=20 and 3×1=3 have both produced error messages in a review comments section. I am hoping foor the best for 9-6=3

    Reply
  16. Bill Robinson Avatar
    Bill Robinson

    I follow you often. I’m in engineering too, so hope my comment that ‘notoriety’ is especially used for something bad, is accepted at face value. Thanks for sharing your perspectives.

    Reviews
    by Jordan Steele
    Samyang Optics has been around for over 40 years, but has gained recent notoriety in the past decade by releasing some truly outstanding lenses for SLRs and mirrorless cameras that provide high-end image quality at bargain prices, under a variety of brand names including Rokinon, Bower, Walimex and a few more.

    Reply
    1. Jordan Steele Avatar
      Jordan Steele

      Thanks for the comment, though we’ll have to disagree on the meaning of notoriety. Can people use it to describe well known bad people/things? Sure….but it doesn’t have to mean anything other than well known.

      The two definitions of Notoriety in my dictionary:

      1. the state, quality, or character of being notorious or widely known:
      2.Chiefly British. a notorious or celebrated person.

      Now, notorious can mean well known in a bad way, but it also has ‘celebrated’ as a synonym.

      Reply
    2. Xmegatron Avatar
      Xmegatron

      My favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite male spider is the (NOBLE FALE BLACK WIDOW SPIDER) I have a topic a male joro spider vs my favorite male spider in a fight over territory. WHO WINS

      Reply
      1. Xmegatron Avatar
        Xmegatron

        I meant the male (NOBLE FALSE BLACK WIDOW SPIDER) I want to know who wins in a territorial fight my favorite male mentioned at the top or a male joro spider.

        Reply
  17. Budd Riker Avatar
    Budd Riker

    Jordan,
    Love your site. Thanks! Thought it was interesting that we have a few things in common. I was born and raised in Ithaca (graduated from Lansing HS) and was drafted and sent to what was then West Germany and served in the 3rd Armored Division. Like you, my photo journey began there. It began with the purchase of my Minolta SRT101, followed by Oly OM1 & 2 (all sitting on my office shelf). Then Nikon gear for pro work up until I recently switched to M4/3rds (OMD-EM1) for all my underwater and photo journalism gigs.

    While my journey began 31 years before yours, I find it an interesting similarity.

    Thanks for the good stuff! Look forward to more….

    Budd

    Reply
  18. espresso shot Avatar
    espresso shot

    Fabulous, what a webpage it is! This website giives useful
    data to us, kesp it up.

    Reply
  19. floydumkn.sosblogs.com Avatar
    floydumkn.sosblogs.com

    Thanks , I’ve just been searching for info about
    this topic for a while and yours is the greatest I
    have came upon till now. However, what about the conclusion? Are you positive about
    the source?

    Reply
  20. Alex Cole Avatar
    Alex Cole

    Hi Guys,

    Loved your site!

    I noticed that your site has great potential for an online community and I would love to help you reveal it with Spot.IM

    Let us discuss the possibility to partner up and create a collaboration that benefits us both.

    Please let me know, I would love a chance to work with you guys:)

    Reply
  21. Michael Whaley Avatar
    Michael Whaley

    How very interesting that I too live in Columbus and as a hobbyist am where you were gear wise, in other words I think I am going to dump all of my Canon gear and switch to micro 4/3. Since I am on the fence a bit though I think I am going to start with an OM-D E-M5ii and only 1 native lens. I have some old Pentax stuff so a cheap adapter will allow me to see if manual focussing with that camera is a good thing for me or not. That will be the factor that pushes me to either buy a speed booster or sell all my Canon lenses and start buying Olympus primes.

    Thanks for the reviews on your site

    Reply
  22. craig carlson Avatar
    craig carlson

    Jordan,
    I hope i can bother you with a question you probably get a hundred times a day. I’m a long time user of APSC sensor-sized DSLRs, both canon and nikon but haven’t yet bought into either systems lens in any big way. I’m drawn to the olympus models (the OM5- mark II), for their lens options, reportedly great color and metering, and their small size and carry ability. (your pictures from them look fantastic). But i’m hesitant to go micro 4/3rds because of the concerns over smaller sensors being noisier when i use higher ISOs.

    But people say the sony sensor used in the OM5 Mark i and II models is pretty impressive. Could you give a sense for how the noise compares between the Oly’s and APSC canons and nikons? On websites like DPReview, when comparing camera’s pictures, it would appear the olympuses are competing pretty well with the APSC canon and nikons. I had the nikon D7000 and sold it to get a nikon d7100. but i was pretty disappointed with the noise and artifacts in the D7100’s files..The big websites rave about the D7100’s image quality. But i found the D7000 better…i would go buy another D7000 if Nikon offered some wide prime lens. So, i wonder whether i would find an olympus a good system camera to go for. I’d welcome your thoughts. Thanks, Craig

    Reply
  23. Hal Walter Avatar
    Hal Walter

    Thank you Jordan for the best mirrorless reviews.

    Having bought an X-T1 and 50-140mm f/2.8 I was disappointed by the lesser quality of the 16-55mm f/2.8 as noted in your review and evident in other sample shots. Recently I downloaded sample shots from a later review and found that the colour fringing and lack of edge sharpness at a combination of wide angle, wide aperture and long focal distance was hardly discernible. Also, availability of the lens in shops has been delayed several times. Do you know whether Fuji is still tweaking the lens?

    When I tested my 50-140 I found that the right of the frame was not as sharp as the left. I was able to exchange it for another example and it is scintillatingly sharp across the frame. Have you heard of this problem with Fuji lenses? I am concerned because I am now in a different country and the shop I contacted said they will not take back anything once the packaging is opened so if I find a similar problem when I buy the 16-55 I will not be able to exchange it.

    Reply
  24. Patrick Cullinan, Jr. Avatar
    Patrick Cullinan, Jr.

    What an outstandingly professional website you have. And the commentators are mannerly and professional too. I’ll be visiting quite frequently in the future, preferentially to a certain other website which shall remain nameless.

    Reply
  25. Arsalan Avatar
    Arsalan

    Hello Jordan,

    When do you plan on doing a review of Panasonic GX8?

    Thanks

    Reply
    1. Jordan Steele Avatar
      Jordan Steele

      I’m not quite sure, but possibly as early as early December. I’ve got the Fuji 35/2 in now and then I’ll be doing a few m4/3 items, with the GX8 and E-M10 II both on my radar. New Panasonic 25/1.7 as well, when it comes in.

      Reply
  26. Chris Rusbridge Avatar
    Chris Rusbridge

    Hi Jordan, I really enjoy your blog, but it’s kind of hard to read these days as the RSS feed seems to be broken. I missed most of your recent posts; NetNewsWire is currently insisting your latest post is dated 28 August! I’ve tried deleting and re-installing the feed, but I still get the same problem. It would be great to be able to find posts vis RSS; still visit the site to read the articles that appeal to me. Thanks, Chris

    Reply
    1. Jordan Steele Avatar
      Jordan Steele

      I’m not sure why you’re having issues. My RRS Reader (I use Newsify) picks up my feed fine. It has to be a problem with your news reader. You can see the actual data RSS readers see when they look at my feed, by looking at the feed yourself, which is here: https://admiringlight.com/blog/feed/

      As I look at it now, it properly shows the 10 most recent posts. Make sure the feed address is correct in your reader, as I posted above.

      Reply
      1. Chris Rusbridge Avatar
        Chris Rusbridge

        And it’s now up to date with the 35mm article! Not sure what happened, but great news, thanks.

        Reply
  27. tourism Avatar
    tourism

    I hardly write responses, but i did some searching and
    wound up here About – Admiring Light. And I do have a couple of questions for you
    if it’s allright. Could it be simply me or does it give the impression like a
    few of these responses appear as if they are coming from
    brain dead visitors? 😛 And, if you are writing on additional social sites, I would like to keep
    up with anything new you have to post. Would you make a list
    of the complete urls of all your public pages like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?

    Reply
  28. John Poremba Avatar
    John Poremba

    Greetings Jordan,

    Not sure if you review other accessories – we manufacture a unique TTL trigger dedicated to Fujifilm X-series cameras. They are unique in that they support Nikon and/or Fujifilm Speedlites as one example. Is this something you might be interested in reviewing? I’m leaving off our website info here as this is not intended as a plug, but, you can contact me via the email or website provided in the private contacts if this might be of interest to your readers.

    Reply
  29. Aiman Mustafa Avatar
    Aiman Mustafa

    Hi Jordan,
    I’ve read your blog a lot while deciding on a camera. street getting an E-M10 I got busy with other things and have only recently come back to more.
    And the interim has allowed me to really appreciate the quality of your reviews,that have to be among the best. e.g. I’ve heard mostly good things about the GX8 but your review put a different and important perspective to it!
    I’m now getting interested in an RF style m43 body and a Panasonic in particular. I am keenly looking out for your review of the GX85, a camera that falls in my budget and one I like. In particular I would be interested in your opinion of the EVF that seems to have a lot of detractors, the overall shooting experience, and JPEG quality.
    Apologies if you’re not reviewing this cam, though I’d really like to hear of your experience with this one!
    Thanks!

    Reply
  30. mike graziano Avatar
    mike graziano

    Hi Jordan –
    I’ve been trying to reach out to you about using your photographs to promote an outreach/education event at OSU – if you could get in touch with me that would be great. Thanks!
    ~Mike

    Reply
  31. Charley Avatar
    Charley

    HI, does a “small” aperture refer to aperture number or size? Thanks.

    Reply
  32. Jordan Steele Avatar
    Jordan Steele

    I use that to refer to the physical size, so, stopped down.

    Also, as an engineer, i think of the numbers as getting smaller too, since it’s a fraction: f / 8 = focal length / 8, and 1/8 is smaller than 1/4, etc. You can use the f-number to see what the effective entrance pupil diameter is as well. on a 50mm f/2, it’s 50/2 = 25mm entrance pupil. Stop down to f/8 and the pupil is 50/8 = 6.25mm in diameter.

    Reply
    1. Charley Avatar
      Charley

      That’s helpful. Thanks! The numbering system makes sense once you explain it.

      Reply
  33. Jorge Avatar
    Jorge

    Great site! I’ve been poking around for a number of years now since I got my X-E1 back in 2013.

    I have a question: I’m planning a road trip to Hocking Hills. Any good resources (besides your amazing images from May 2014) that you can recommend?

    Are the hikes to some of these tiny waterfalls and gorges difficult?

    Any advice is greatly appreciated!

    Best,
    JM

    Reply
  34. Hans Gideonse Avatar
    Hans Gideonse

    Hello Jordan,

    I really like your site and your approach to photography. Short question: Do you plan a review of the Sony FE 16-35 2.8 in the near future? I’m looking forward for that !

    Best wishes, Hans

    Reply
  35. Eric Joyner Avatar
    Eric Joyner

    I just happened upon this site b/c I was researching the Sony 50 1.4, and I looked at the bike photo and said – is that Columbus? Came to the about page and got confirmation. So cool how much is in Columbus. Same was I felt when I realized that Midwest Photo is here. I’m over in New Albany and have been for the last 4 years. Too cool. Great site keep up the great work.

    Reply
  36. Aiman Mustafa Avatar
    Aiman Mustafa

    Hi Jordan, I keep coming back to admiringlight and find it to be really unique among review sites – reading reviews and other articles really gives me a sense of those nuances that affect the user experience.
    I’ve now moved on from m43 and am readying to get into the Fuji system, so it’s a pleasure to see that you’re also really invested in that system.
    I have to say I am holding on buying the X-E3 with the 23mm f/2 till I read your review!
    Hope you to see it soon.
    Thanks!
    Aiman

    Reply
  37. Gareth Callan Avatar
    Gareth Callan

    Hi Jordan,

    I enjoy and respect your reviews enormously. Thank you for the hours and hours of work you lavish on them.

    Whilst I’d rather spend my time out taking photos, I’d like to do some simple lens tests to understand sharpness at different apertures and relative sharpness of my zooms vs primes.

    I notice you photograph books and prints, not charts.

    I’m assuming that I should/could use a well-lit map, set a custom WB and move the camera on a centreline such that the field of view of the lens is filled by the subject. I know some recommend a newspaper but it’s rare that you photograph entirely black and white subjects in the real world.

    Would you add any further thoughts or recommend something different?

    Thanks again for your great work

    Gareth

    Reply
  38. craig carlson Avatar
    craig carlson

    Jordan,

    Any chance you’ll be testing Canon’s new “R” mirrorless camera? I really respect your reviews and would really value your take on it, especially because you have so much knowledge of other mirrorless offerings like the Sony A7 iii. I sold off my Canon 6D some time back anticipating a move to a better performing sensor, but i kept the Canon lenses i thought were good in case i ended up going with another Canon. I tried the 5D mark IV but found its weight really off-putting. So this R seems like a desirable alternative for getting full frame image quality in a more portable offering. Thanks, Craig Carlson

    Reply
  39. Aiman Avatar
    Aiman

    Hi Jordan,
    I’m returning to your blog after quite a while. I’m glad to see that you’re posting again regularly. I’ve always found your blog to have that special insight about equipment and the photographic process in general.
    I am returning to cameras after a couple of years and suddenly realised that there have been huge strides made in the smartphone world.
    I am particularly excited by periscope lenses and the possibilities they offer. Some are already available. I know smartphone sensor still has some way to go, but it’s clear that for most people, it’s going to be good enough.
    I have a request–why not start reviewing smartphones? I mean, of course, only the ones that take photography seriously.
    You could even think of starting a section on smartphone photography tips that’ll help people take better photos, and print them (as you recommended in a post some years ago).
    Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Jordan Steele Avatar
      Jordan Steele

      Thanks. The biggest barrier to that is obtaining smartphones for review. I could review my Pixel 4 that is my daily phone, but beyond that….I’d need to purchase them. For camera stuff, I can rent a lens or camera body for a week and do a review, but no such availability exists for a smartphone.

      Plus doing so would require either carrying two phones, or making sure all the stuff I need is installed on the review device so that I would have it with me always.

      Modern smartphones are great, and I use mine a lot for casual snaps, but doing lots of reviews of them would just be more hassle than it’s worth to me.

      Reply

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