Colorful Mong Kok: Scofield Chan's First Impressions of the Atoll Ultra-Wide 2.8-17 Lens

Photographer and YouTuber Scofield Chan likes to take street photographs in his spare time. Despite having a busy working schedule, he will still spend time on street photography and since then it became one of his lifestyle habits. Photography not only provides personal space for himself but more importantly to record daily life in Hong Kong. This time, Scofield tried our Atoll Ultra-Wide 2.8/17 Art Lens for capturing one of the most populated places in Hong Kong, MongKok. Check out the interview and photos here!

© Scofield Chan | Atoll Ultra-Wide 2.8/17 Art Lens

Hello Scofield! Please introduce yourself to our Community.

Hello everyone, my name is Scofield. I am currently a high school visual arts teacher. I have been engaged in street photography for eight years. After graduation, I was working in Sham Shui Po. This is an old district with busy streets, and I wanted to gather people and things on the streets as my creative materials. I grabbed my phone and took pictures of things I like. Street Photography became my interest! In 2019, I was honored to be awarded The Winner of Monochrome Category in National Geography Whellock Hong Kong Photos Contest.

© Scofield Chan

How did you start to become a YouTuber?

I have created a YouTube Channel to record joyful shooting moments with my friends on the street. Due to the pandemic, I have less workload as a teacher, and more extra time to take street photos and create photography videos. I have connected with lots of photographers and they lent me different kinds of cameras and photographic equipment. So I started to comment and evaluate the equipment in the videos.

“The reason behind the video creation is to record my feelings for Hong Kong street photography.”
© Scofield Chan | Atoll Ultra-Wide 2.8/17 Art Lens

Besides being a YouTuber, share with us what you would like to do every day.

In the coming year, I will have a new member of my family! In my job, the workload keeps increasing this year and I’m also taking my Master's Degree in Art Studies. It is quite difficult to maintain my YouTube Channel. Currently, I will still publish my works on Instagram every day, and continue street photography at night. Hoping to see more Hong Kong perspectives in the future.

© Scofield Chan | Other film works

When did you first come into contact with photography? What kind of photographic equipment do you like to use?

I like photography when I was in University and usually focus on nature photography. Back then, APSC format digital cameras were popular and I like to use a stylish Fujifilm camera. After graduation, I have been using Leica M240. For analogue, I like Leica CL, Leica Minilux, Optima 1535 and GR21, and Makina 67 for medium format. After using too many analogue cameras, I would like to switch to a point-and-shoot camera.

© Scofield Chan | Other film works

You recently tried out our Atoll Ultra-Wide 2.8/17 Art Lens. Where did you take the Atoll to?

Thanks to my friend Peter for lending Atoll Art Lens to me. We went to Mong Kok at night and it started raining. Luckily I have shot a few pictures that I like. Mong Kok is a very special and densely populated place, which is full of unique food stalls, flyovers and red-light districts. It is able to see the power of this ultra-wide-angle lens.

© Scofield Chan | Atoll Ultra-Wide 2.8/17 Art Lens

What is your first impression of this Art Lens? How did you feel when using it?

I like the feel of twisting the focus ring and the aperture ring, which I would pay special attention to these aspects. The size and weight are good. The focal length mark on the lens is very convenient for street photographers. When you twist it, it will mark the Hyperfocal distance, which is convenient to use. I mounted a 21 mm lens of a certain brand on the M240, and I found a red gate problem.

“The first impression is that Lomography has produced a solid product with a strong metallic feel, good touch of the lens, and smooth twisting of the aperture ring.”

In contrast, the Atoll Lens is designed based on a digital camera, and without the red shutter problem. It is ideal that the central imaging is sharp. If I have a chance in the future, I hope I will have another chance to try this lens on a film camera!

© Scofield Chan | Atoll Ultra-Wide 2.8/17 Art Lens

What advice would you give to someone trying the lens for the first time?

I used GR21 for a while. I really like the tension caused by the ultra-wide angle, which makes you feel amazing. I have only used Konica’s disposable film camera for a 17 mm lens.

Any other photographic projects you will do in the future?

I have the opportunity to hold my first photography exhibition in 2022, and I have been thinking about the theme of the exhibition recently. Also, I have been promoting film photography in school, hoping students to know the fun of film!

© Scofield Chan | Atoll Ultra-Wide 2.8/17 Art Lens

Finally please share with us one of your favorite photos taken with Atoll ultra-wide-angle lens!

I like this photo which reflected the light outside the HSBC Bank window. I was able to capture the passengers while also including the street lights of Nathan Road in Mong Kok.

© Scofield Chan | Atoll Ultra-Wide 2.8/17 Art Lens

Thank you Scofield for your sharing! To check out more of his work, please head over to his Instagram and YouTube Channel!

written by nikkicheung on 2022-01-08 #gear #culture #people #videos #ultra-wide-angle #atoll-art-lens #scofield-chan

Atoll Ultra-Wide 2.8/17 Art Lens

Embrace a whole new perspective with this compact prime lens boasting an impressive ultra-wide 103º field of view and closest focusing distance of 0.25 m with M-mount cameras. Optimized for photo and video, the Atoll Ultra-Wide Art Lens is designed for rangefinder coupled M mount analogue and digital cameras.

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