The $2,500 Mistake (Or: Why You Should Never Rent the "Plena")
We’ve all heard the old adage: The gear doesn’t matter.
In theory, I agree. The most important thing is the eye behind the viewfinder and the story being told. But in practice? You need gear that is "good enough" to respond in the moment. I’ve always tried to be the practical photographer. I shoot mostly street, so I don’t need the longest reach or a massive sensor. For me, the "best" gear is whatever makes the experience fun—the way it feels in my hand, the satisfying click of the shutter, and the joy of the walk.
Then, I went to Samy’s and rented the Nikon 135mm f/1.8 Plena for a long weekend.
A Dangerous Curiosity I told myself it was just a technical experiment. A few days of testing out a highly-rated piece of glass. But oh boy, was I impressed.
The focal length was a revelation. Suddenly, I was capturing people being people from a distance that didn't interrupt their story. I followed a bee hunting for pollen in the flower fields, and the lens was so fast it didn't miss a beat. I photographed lone flowers in a field, and the bokeh was so creamy it felt like they were just showing off their beauty to God.
Then came the reality check. This lens is $2,500. It’s heavy—the heaviest in my lineup, actually. My goal was to go lighter, not bulkier. And as a retired person in this economy, how do I justify that kind of spend for a "want"?
The $900 Compromise I spent hours on YouTube, falling down the rabbit hole of comparisons. I knew the song said you can't always get what you want, but I had discovered a creative spark I didn't even know I was missing until I rented the darn thing.
Enter the Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 Lab series.
The reviews suggested it could go toe-to-toe with the Nikon for a fraction of the price. At $900, the "game changer" arrived. I am now the proud owner of that Viltrox, and the clarity at f/1.8 is far beyond my expectations. I got the sharpness, the speed, and that dreamy look without the $2,500 sting.
The Moral of the Story I’m still that fly on the wall, but now I have a slightly longer reach. I’m still a practical shooter, but I’ve learned that sometimes a new perspective becomes a tool you can’t live without.
But consider yourself warned: Don’t rent something you aren't prepared to buy just to "have fun" for a weekend. It will cost you!