The Impact of RF Lenses on Photography Style

I put the RF 24-70mm f2.8L to the test over the weekend at our family cottage. This lens has shown me an opportunity for growth, as its one I did not think would be affordable for me. So when one showed up used on Henry’s website, when the one I had intended to buy was back ordered (and still is) I saw this as a sign and jumped.

Having shot with exclusively EF L lenses with my DSLR’s I was noticing a very significant colour difference between the more affordable RF STM lenses than what I was used to. This lens, is exactly that. SOOC – straight out of the camera is incredible. Far less editing, its my style!

Check out my first shoot with this lens and the SOOC images produced. Very happy with the results!

This has helped me shift, many of the EF lenses I have, I love and will not part with, however the weight – currently at this stage in my life – is alot! All of my EF L lenses are either f2.8 or my 50L is 1.2 – beautiful and also heavier! So for traveling, which now with the kids out of sports, we are able to do more and weight is a factor!

One reason I was going to replace my fallen EF 24-105 f4L with the RF version, the 24-105 is lighter than the 24-70. The kicker, the website showed that the RF lens was back ordered to July sometime. Its now updated this morning to August. Sometimes we are led down a road that may not make sense entirely, until we get there.

While in the ordering mode, I had it sitting in my cart, do I do it, do I not, what do I do? It was like a mental game back and forth of that… but you already have the RF 28-70 STM lens as well as the 24-240mm multi purpose lens. How can you justify this.

Here is what I ultimately came out of it with, we all have our own styles and preference for shooting. Some like a smaller camera, I prefer (and always have) the bigger camera and more substantial feeling lens. Also loving the SOOC images being aligned with my style saves so much time in processing.

Its ok to have our own unique styles and preferences, especially when it truly does not affect anyone else, as an artist my tools and style will never be exactly the same as someone else.

I think of it as my husband or son having multiple fishing rods, lures etc the various tools needed for fishing or even tools in the trade. Fishing and Photography may be a hobby but various tools can help you achieve different results and in truth can make your experience that much better!

Feeling truly grateful in this moment!

Chantry Island in Saugeen Shores & Gobles Grove Boat Launch – click the images to view on Flickr for better quality.

Follow your hearts desires, it may not make sense to everyone, but if it makes sense and aligns with your soul, you are on the right path!

Magic of Water in Nature

There truly is something magical with water in nature.

Water has a unique magic when left to its own devices.

When no shape is given to it, it effortlessly creates its own. We see this in the beauty of the soft, but firm-looking edges of a raindrop, held tightly together by an invisible force.

What I learned, is that because water molecules are so strongly attracted to one another, they pull inward, minimizing their surface area to form a perfect, self-contained sphere. It is nature’s ultimate minimalist design—fluid, yet perfectly structured.

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The Flower Hour | Sweet Pea

The internet tells me this is a Everlasting Pea or Sweet Pea. I was drawn to it Saturday morning after a long rain, it cleared up beautifully to take the dog for a walk with my camera and RF 85mm f2.0 macro. I was delightfully surprised by the variety of nature down the road!

Soulful Sunday | Rain Drops + Plants

With many details often over looked by most, its the tiniest of rain drops that draws my attention in!

This photo was captured with my Canon R6MII + RF 85mm f2.0 Macro Lens at f4

This weekend was one where I leaned in a little more for me. I am one person, I cannot fix everything for everyone, I do however need to learn to focus better on myself.

The little details, such as taking my vitamins each day. Something that years ago supported my health and I noticed a positive shift. I also remember chatting with a friend and saying, but does it really do anything. I am putting myself to the test, 30 days straight, lets see how I feel.

I am going to document my journey as well, now knowing I have Hashimotos – plot twist Hashimotos isn’t just Hypothyroidism – its worse – and PMOS I have been reminded the utmost importance of honoring me time, down time, waking and sleeping at normal hours and with a routine, looking at nutrition and how I feel, leaning in to what I love more!

Most of all, lean into this hobby of photography that lights me up in ways not everyone will understand and thats okay. If you have a hobby, you will get it! Gardening may not be my favourite thing to do, but taking photos of whats in the garden, certainly is!

I invested in this book and so far it feels in alignment to my life. I will soon enjoy reading through this with my journal and chamomile tea!

Taking A Moment

This was today, we had plans this evening that the old me would have pushed through no matter what, pushing myself aside. This afternoon I messaged my husband and said, we are staying home, he began to resist and then softened in.

We are 30 min away from bedtime, in our own bed, after I enjoyed a beautiful warm epsom salt and essential oil bath. This is exactly what I needed. I am grateful I allowed myself permission!

Recently being diagnosed with Hashimotos has been an eye opening experience. For over 20 years I knew Hypothyroidism, this is next level. Combined with PMOS, when I get hit with a flare I have very little strength, my limbs feel that much more heavy, sleep isnt great, I actually feel like Im beginning to get sick – which I just found out is also related to Hashimotos with our immune system. Its the fatigue when it hits…

Since my brother died in Nov 2024, its like my nervous system was hit with so much shock, I know I can never go back to the same capacity I once had, partly because it was just too much.

Stress can hurt, overwhelm can hurt, we are human BEING’S not doings… I am realizing the impact of having so many stressful ‘events’ in my life, and not putting myself first.

As a mom with a daughter with Thyroid Cancer now… I have always thought of my kids with my own health, but once I received the infertility diagnosis, my body and I became even more disconnected. 2020’s brought in, teens, mom getting some freedom, and then the cascading medial events and surgeries. I bit my tongue, I quietly complained when I should have yelled, I held my voice because growing up in a small town we can’t say this or that.

I received my thyroid diagnosis at 24, 20 years later Hashimotos. My daughter, 18 and Thyroid Cancer. This cycle, whatever it is, ends now! 🙏

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@Yung Pueblo Thank you for sharing this! It hit the heart!

Unlocking Energy Shifts Under the Full Moon

The full moon the other night was incredible in the sky. My husband was out and shortly after 9pm messaged me and said to get outside! Across the field this was our view. I was able to test my new 24-70mm f2.8L lens for this.

I personally felt this energy shift on the weekend, specifically Saturday morning when I woke quite early, however it felt like I woke with purpose and had a very successful day. The various things that had been nagging at me, flat surfaces that had collected things. The inspiration and motivation I felt was immense! Re-claiming our space. Heavily leaning into this beautiful energy!

From Moon Omens:

On June 29, 2026, 8:56 PM EST, a Full Moon peaks at 08º14’ of Capricorn, while Mercury is stationary retrograde in the opposite sign of Cancer. A lot is going on in the heavens these days, and the current Full Moon is shining a light on where we are at in our reparenting and maturation journeys, asking us to refine the balance between nurturing our inner, emotional lives and taking care of our worldly responsibilities and commitments.

Full Moons: Clarity, Release, and Turning Points

When the Moon is Full, emotions are intensified, situations can reach a point of culmination or resolution, and clarity becomes available. At this time of the month, we have an opportunity to see everything more clearly, or we can no longer pretend we don’t: we are being asked to acknowledge what works, what doesn’t, what needs to change, and what needs to be released.

Every Full Moon brings issues to a turning point. These events facilitate awareness, illuminate patterns, and help us access new perspectives and insights. These are favorable times for sharing with others the results of our efforts, celebrating our progress, making necessary changes, and letting go of something that has run its course.

On a Full Moon, the Sun and the Moon are forming an exact opposition, a 180º angle from our perspective on Earth. Oppositions are aspects of both polarization and awareness that highlight the interplay between two opposing and complementary signs, asking us to balance their energies and expression. These days, the Cancer-Capricorn axis is in the spotlight, and we have an opportunity to reflect on how we harmonize taking care of our emotional needs and inner child with honoring our adult responsibilities out in the world.

Your Life As Art Photography by Pam

Artist & Intuitive | Pamela Zmija

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