As some of you know, I like to limit myself to making the best of whatever lens I happen to have with me: it is a good learning experience. So, on Friday, I went out determined to use the RF 50mm lens as much as possible. I also took the RF 24-240mm. I should explain that I have rarely been satisfied with the 50mm focal length, as it is hard for me to compose what I see with it.
First I stopped by the cafe in the house on Praterstrasse where Johann Strauss is said to have composed his Blue Danube Waltz.
The City of Vienna has also placed one of their plaques that indicate landmarks.
Just up the street, there is another interesting building, in Venetian style:
and next door, the house where two famous people were born. Most people have heard of the movies Gone with the Wind and Casablanca, even if they do not know the name of the composer of the music, but I must confess that the works of Stanislaw Wispianski are unknown to me.
So far, I managed with the 50mm, but on the other side of Praterstrasse is the Church of St. Johannes Nepomuk. It is not enormous, but too big to be encompassed by the 50mm from the other side of the street. Even at 24mm, I am not happy with this shot.
About twenty minutes later, in the centre of the city, on Kärntnerstrasse, I found something that, by backing up as far as possible I can take in with the 50mm. For many decades this was the HMV Shop, the most comprehensive record store in Vienna. I suppose its high prices and high rents caused this shop to close about two years ago. It was then replaced by one selling traditional Austrian clothes (Tracht and Dirndl); but that didnt last very long, and has itself been replaced by:
Then I tried to take some interesting steet views with the 50mm. My first attempt:
Perhaps better in portrait mode, though still not giving a real idea of the locale:
The nearby church is also too big for this lens to capture:
This is closer to what I was seeking, but still not totally satisfactory:
I tried to give an impression of what the Burger King is like inside. The ceiling, which is only partly visible in this shot, is quite outstanding:
I will try to take better photos of this eatery, one day.
My prejudices against the 50mm lens have unfortunately been confirmed. I conclude that the RF 24-240mm is the most versatile lens for the city. I have had excellent photos with this lens, only limited by its f/4 - f/5.6 maximum aperture. But I shall try to see if I can do better with my 35mm and 16mm lenses next time I venture out!
David
