Helpful Utility!
By Jeff • Apr 27th, 2008 • Category: Daily ShotsHi, All.
Although I use ACDSee Pro to manage my images and conduct key word search, etc., it doesn’t allow for an easy way to view statistics on EXIF data accross all my images. I’m considering new lenses for my 5d, and anted to see how often I use certain focal lengths based on thousands of images on my hard drive. So….I found this nifty little FREE utility called Exposure Plot. It scans all your images (.jpg only) and creates all sorts of useful statistics based on EXIF data. Check it out!: http://www.cpr.demon.nl/prog_plotf.html
So, what did I learn? The program anazlyed about 7,000 images (took about 2-3 minutes, fyi). I learned that over half of my shots were taken at 80mm (considering the 1.6x factor). That makes sense, since my 50mm 1.4 is used for so many portraits and kid shots. Overall, the vast majority of my shots were made at the 35mm equivalent of between 45mm and 144mm. When I looked just at my “portfolio” folder on my hard drive (my best non-portrait shots), I see that I really tended to use the 35mm equivalent of between 27mm and 45mm.
The other thing I learned (which I probably already knew) is that that vast majority of my images are taken at f/2.8 or wider. You can also view results by ISO, among other options.
So, this helps me think about lens choices. Clearly, the 85mm 1.8 is staying in the bag since that focal length accounts for slighlty more than one-half of my shots. It seems also that the 35mm 1.4 would make sense since I use that focal length (about that length) quite often. In reality, these two lens would probably serve me just fine if my future shots are anything like my previous ones.
Let me know if you all try this great utility!!
Below: analysis of about 7,000 images by focal length (actual length)
Jeff
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Ha this is great. While some may be scratching their head in amazement at the attention to detail on display here, I’m actually nodding as this is exactly what I did about a year back.
And I came to exactly the same conclusion – that I needed the 35mm f/1.4. I’ve already said enough I think about this lens but this post just goes to show that it’s not a want but a need :). I can safely say though it’s a lens choice that you’ll never regret.
I wasn’t aware of that software though. That’s v cool and will definitely checkout / pass on the info to others.
When I go on a trip (like the one I’m on now), I take a single wide 35mm(ish) lens (actually its the 24mm f/1.4 now for me due to my 1D’s 1.3x crop) and a longish one… And nothing more (well, nothing more in the way of lenses – I still bring three cameras, a laptop and god knows what else).
Very cool tool and thanks for posting the link to it. I’ve been considering what lenses I’ll need with the 5D when I get it. I’m conviced I need the 35mm and also the 70-200mm f2.8 IS lens.. I already have the 85 f1.8 and I love it.
I might try this on my work.. if I can figure it out ;)
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