Whenever I see a photograph I love, I always want to know more about it.
- What camera did they use?
- What lens was used?
- What software did they process with?
Isn’t curiosity fun?!
Your Questions for Me
So when I receive similar questions, I try my best to answer them.
To answer the best I possibly can, I thought this blog post would do the job. That way, I won’t miss anything out!
If I have missed anything out, leave me a comment below or email me. 
What Camera (DSLR) do you use?
I use the lovely Canon EOS 5D Mark II for photography and the short films I upload.
What Lenses do you use?
At the moment my most favoured lens is:
- Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
It does a wonderful job – it’s not very wide, at the same time, not hugely close, so it does 90% of what I want.
It’s also a nice small lens, a bit bigger than the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 but still small enough to carry around in my bag, without noticing a huge lens attached to my Canon EOS 5D Mark II
After the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, I also love:
- Canon EF 135mm f/2.0 L
- Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 USM
What Software do you use to post-process?
I use Adobe Lightroom 3 it’s my 1st choice.
I also use Adobe Photoshop CS2 but not nearly as much as Lightroom this is because Lightroom is a lot quicker. converting. Even if I’m only processing one or two photographs, it’s generally easier and quicker.
I also love how it keeps a record of my processing. I can go back to January and see how I processed a photograph, and edit it if I need to.
If you’re starting out, I’d highly recommend it. If you’re using Photoshop, and you’re looking to save time, Lightroom really helps do the job.
The big bonus is the “Presets” section. Photoshop does have a similar section, with their “Actions”, however with Lightroom it’s so much easier to edit your photograph, even if you’re applied a preset, if you find it’s too light, dark, flat etc, it takes seconds to adjust.
If you use Lightroom, take a look at my Lightroom Presets available for purchase.
What Camera (DSLR) do you recommend?
It’s always difficult for me to recommend what DSLR to buy, mainly because ones budget is usually the key.
I’ve only used Canon, so I can’t recommend Nikon, or another brand, but I can say that I love Canon.
So, I would recommend buying the best you can buy, within your budget. The easiest thing is just to look at Canon’s range and work with your budget.
If you want tips on how to use your DSLR, download my Photography Tips eBook
What Lenses do you recommend?
Once again, I find it difficult to recommend lenses, I feel equipment is so personal, but if I was buying my kit all over again, this is the order I’d do it in. So therefore what I recommend…
- Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
- Canon EF 135mm f/2.0 L
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
- Canon EF 25-70 mm f/2.8 L
- Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L
- Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L
If you want tips on how to use your lens, or the above lenses, download my Photography Tips eBook
More Questions?
If you have any further questions, please leave a comment below and I will edit this post accordingly or email you if need be.
I hope this post was informative and helpful!
- Olivia
P.s. the lens in my hands at the very top was photographed by my sister, Sasha Bell – the lens is the Canon EF 135mm f/2.0 L
I wanted to know how you edit: what I mean is, do you use your mouse? Or maybe do you have a sort of wacom? And if you tried both, which one do you prefer?
Thank you, <3
Hi Trish!
I just use my mouse. The type of processing I do (see examples here: http://www.thebellsisters.com) doesn’t really require a tablet.
Thanks for an informative piece.
I am fairly new to digital photography, although I have used film SLRs (Minolta) for years. When I bought my DSLR I narrowed the choice between the Canon 50D and the Nikon D90. I chose the D90 with the Nikon 16-85 and 70-300 telephoto lenses (one step up from the basic kit lens).
I am a keen walker and carry my camera equipment on my walks so weight was a big factor in my decision.
For processing I use Photoshop Elements 7 but I process my RAW files in Nikon View NX. I am looking to upgrade my software, either Nikon Capture NX2 or Lightroom.
This year I started shooting RAW ( i am going to Santorini in June and hope to capture some of their spectacular sunsets).
My original interest was landscapes and since joining Flickr I have also taking nature and wildlife shots too.
I found your photography tips book excellent.
Thank you very much, Robert. I hope you have a fabulous trip to Santorini and get some stunning photographs too!
Thanks Olivia.
It will be my first trip to Santorini. I have been to Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Andorra in previous years.
Hi! I was wondering what pros and cons you have for your 85mm f/1.8 USM and the 135mm f/2.0 L lenses! What do you enjoy using each one for specifically?
Your portraits are absolutely stunning, and make me strive to get better at my photography every day. (: Id also love to see you give critiques on a random picture each day!
Hi Hannah,
The 85mm f/1.8′s benefits are:-
- small
- light
- quick
- wide aperture
- easy to carry around (because it’s small)
However, the 135mm f/2.0:-
- has stunning quality, unlike any lens I’ve used.
- it’s a beautiful lens to use and to handle.
- it’s fantastic for portraits, a lot better than the 85mm
- it’s quick, light (compared to other prime lenses) and has a stunning wide aperture + focal length.
Hey there Olivia! I was just wondering two things. 1) How do you know when to use a narrow or wide aperture? 2) Do you know how to “paint with light”?? You can also find me at http://dontlookbackonthepast.tumblr.com I’ll email my first attempts of light painting to you,but I’ve progressed alot. Please tell me what you think. =)
Hi Abby!
I’ve written a digital book on how/when/why to use a wide or narrow aperture: http://www.thebellsisters.com/products/photography-tips-ebook-by-olivia-bell
I do know how to paint with light, but I haven’t done very much of it
Hi Abby.
I bought a copy of Olivia’s book recently and I would. recommend it. It transformed the way I take pictures.
Nice article…..
Can you tell about the sharpness and DoF you get from 135mm f2l..? Are you satisfied with it?
Thanks,
Nithin
India
I love your shots
I just began in photography, and you’re inspiring me!