Dear readers,
This is an update to JAPB’s previous policy (which you can read here), but let me tell you the what, and the why.
What: Walk-arounds, Galleries and Data sheets.
Going forward, JAPB will cover lenses in three types of articles: Walk-arounds, Galleries and Data sheets
Walk-around(s)
Walk-arounds focus on detailing the lived experience of using a lens and offer sample pictures. Walk-arounds are typically structured around using a lens for a (prolonged) walk, taking pictures at varying apertures; analysing those pictures and giving the readers a summary of that analysis. Because of this structure (being centered around a walk) walk-arounds often cannot offer a comprehensive analysis1. Walk-arounds are not JAPB reviews (they lack some of the depth of critical assessment that we expect from reviews), but we’re sure they will have value to many readers
Galleries
Galleries are collections of images taken with a specific lens. In some ways galleries are like walk-arounds but without the commentary, but galleries also often gather imagery from several shooting occasions (which a walk-around cannot). Due to bandwidth constraints I will not be posting full-res images in the galleries, but you can always request images (I save all my RAWs).
Data-sheet(s)
Data sheets introduce the lens in question, and give details on it, as well as comment on the lens’ history (when that might be of interest to someone). Further, data sheets will always also discuss adapting the lens to modern digital cameras.
Comparisons (discontinued)
Comparisons were intended to rigorously compare no lenses’ performance, handling and characteristics with those of comparable lenses (read more on that here). I would hope to have the time to do more of these, but I feel it highly unlikely that I would have the time in the foreseeable future. Hence, until further notice, we’re not aiming to do any more comparisons than the two that we managed to put together:
• JAPB comparison of 9 fast 35 mm lenses
• JAPB comparison of fast fifties (batch 1)
Reviews (discontinued)
Reviews aimed to offer a comprehensive and critical analysis of a lens’ faults and merits. Likely due to my own too high expectations these turned out very work-intensive and have been largely supplanted by walk-arounds.
Why this change?
For me, JAPB is a sideline. Besides having four kids and two elderly parents, I am also a senior lecturer in business administration – a task I take seriously and which usually is not doable within the confines of ‘full-time’.
I don’t have massive numbers of hours to spend on this sideline, so I’m faced with a choice: Do I want to be able to publish one review per month or three comparison reviews a year, or do I want to focus on being able to make several shorter, less work-intensive posts/articles a month? For me the choice is clear.
I hope you will understand.
Pekka
P.S. In case you’re interested about in the general principles that JAPB gear articles abide by, read more here.
- For instance, if the walk happens on an overcast day, samples of flares and ghosts will be absent. ↩︎