This is The Digital Story Podcast 1,062, July 28, 2026. Today's theme is, "The Lens on the Back Shelf." I'm Derrick Story.
Having just come off two workshops where participants experimented with gear and techniques outside of their comfort zone, I saw firsthand the wonderful, creative results that often follow. One technique along these lines that you can do at home is called the Lens on the Back of the Shelf. I'll tell you more about it on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.
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The Lens on the Back Shelf
I had been urging my workshop folks to try something new, either with gear or technique. So now that everyone has gone home, I've decided to do the same with the Lens on the Back of the Shelf exercise.
I went to the photo cabinet and dug around in the back. I found the Kamlan 50mm f/1.1 II optic. I had bought it on Kickstarter years ago when I was experimenting with shallow depth of field for Micro Four Thirds cameras.
It was an affordable optic, and well-made too. Its manual focusing ring was smooth and well-dampened. The click-less aperture ring was well-marked and easy to adjust. It has a beautiful, large front objective lens, a screw-in metal hood, and a depth of field scale in meters and feet.
Since I needed to photograph the Panasonic L10 for a Live View article I was working on, I decided to take the Kamlan for a spin. I could do the article shot first, then play around with the wide-aperture stuff for my experimental fun.
I mounted the 50mm f/1.1 on my OM System OM-1 and switched to manual exposure mode. It was like looking into another world. For the product shot of the L10 I had to stop all the way down to f/16, and there was still some lovely fall off.
Then it was time to play. Even on a Micro Four Thirds sensor, f/1.1 is crazy shallow. I decided to focus on the very front of the L10 lens, then let everything else go its way.Now that I have the Kamlan on the OM-1, I'm going to leave it there for a while and try some flower shots in the morning. I had forgotten how much I like this optic. I'm so glad I followed my own advice, dug around in the back of the camera shelf, and retrieved this beauty.
This Week in the News
Is the camera industry waking up to enthusiast demand? as featured on DPReview.com
Viltrox's First Micro Four Thirds Lenses Promise Great Value as featured on PetaPixel.com
Jimmy Chin says bringing less gear makes you a better photographer as featured on DPReview.com
Virtual Camera Club News
Workshops!
The 2026 TDS Photography Workshop Season. We are featuring webinars, online workshops, and in-person events focused on creating impactful images in the company of those who love photography as much as you. Our workshops are like no others, and we think you will throughly enjoy the camaraderie and the tips and techniques.
Stop by The Nimble Photographer Workshop Page and reserve your spot today.
Lightroom Power Tools Online Workshop - Led by Rob Knight, Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30, 2026
Adobe Certified Expert Rob Knight will be showcasing some powerful editing tools that have recently been added to Adobe's raw editing in this new workshop. As the tools improve, the work gets easier.
Rob will go over the ins and outs of the improved masking tools, point color adjustments, color grading, AI noise reduction, and more.
Each session is recorded and made available to all registered participants.
Inner Circle Bold. Sign up for the Annual Membership that's only $75.60 a year, you will receive all of the regular Inner Circle benefits, plus a coupon for your choice of a 2026 Online workshop hosted by me.
Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.
If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at dstory@gmail.com.
The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.
Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.
The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.
Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.
Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.
See you next week!
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