The Voigtlander 50mm f/1.0 Nokton For a generation of photographers who appreciate the tactile experience of manual focus and the look of ultra fast glass, the Voigtlander 50mm f/1.0 Nokton has emerged as a truly exceptional standard prime. Born from Voigtlander's tradition of combining classic design with modern optical engineering, this lens stands out not merely for its sharp, premium, all metal build, but for its headline grabbing maximum aperture of f/1.0. In a world increasingl ... Read the story

Nestled on the flank of a majestic snow capped volcano, this historic landmark was a public works project during the Great Depression. The structure was hand built by hundreds of unemployed workers and local artisans, using native stone and timber from the surrounding forest. The architectural style, a blend of rustic design and the Arts and Crafts movement, is a unique form sometimes called "Cascadian." Famous for its massive central hexagonal stone chimney and its interior, where nearly all t ... Read the story

This photo essay serves as an examination of the contemporary human landscape of Portland, Oregon, seen exclusively through the lens of a 50mm prime. By committing to this fixed, natural focal length, one that demands the photographer to physically engage with their subject's space, I move past the voyeurism often associated with longer lenses in street photography.  I believe the resulting portraits are not merely candid captures; they are observations, each one a framed story of the sub ... Read the story

The 50mm lens is photography’s true constant player. A focal length so fundamental it is often called the "standard." Its enduring practicality is rooted in its perspective. It renders the world with a field of view that closely mimics the human eye, offering an honesty and lack of distortion that few other lenses can match. This transparency makes it the ideal tool for the photojournalist, the portraitist, and the street photographer, allowing the viewer to feel present in the scene witho ... Read the story