We’re lucky enough to get holiday weekend, I’m sure many of you will be firing up the barbecue. But I bet there are very few who give a thought to the charcoal you pick up to provide your feast. Having recently returned from Southern of Malaysia, I will be giving it some thought, because I’ve seen first hand how much hard work goes into the production of charcoal. They start working after dawn prayer. The first task is to reduce the pile and filter wood that has become charcoal. The method of making charcoal in this way is rarely seen as we know it has a high and hot clinks / furnace. The air at the charcoal stack is so thick and polluted it’s almost impossible to breathe. Photographs taken in the bright sunshine of morning have an impressionistic, misty look because the air is so full of soot, smoke and toxins that it turns day into twilight. As if the smoke weren't enough, half the time the workers also have cigarettes dangling from their lips. There is always this feeling of pity but what's amazing is these people know how to overcome adversities. That leads to a realization that life is difficult for some and we should be thankful and contented for what we have and share to others. Tough life Man, an inspirational photo shoot.

When it comes to an environmentally challenging situation, such as shooting inside a charcoal factory where dust is a big problem, I would not hesitate to pick up the ever trusted Zeiss Batis Lenses pair with a7RII and a6000. I armed myself with all the necessary lenses for this particular shoot: Batis 2/25 and 2.8/135. As u can se most of the images were photograph using the new Zeiss Batis 2.8/135 APO. Meanwhile 50mm and 85mm lenses tend to be very popular for photographers. Since I started to use prime lenses ecspecially 135mm they force me to think more carefully about the composition. 

Zeiss made a great decision to create a lineup smaller lens that balances near perfectly on the full frame e-mount series bodies. and, it is most certainly one of the sharpest and cleanest lenses I have been fortunate enough to use. The Zeiss Batis 2.8/135, it is not too big and so doesn't take up too much room in my camera bag but more important its 613g weight, the lens feels well balanced on the e-mount cameras.

Sony A7RII, Zeiss Batis 2.8/135, f2.8 ,1/320 sec., ISO-200

Sony A7RII, Zeiss Batis 2.8/135, f2.8 ,1/640 sec., ISO-200

Sony A7RII, Zeiss Batis 2.8/135, f2.8 ,1/500 sec., ISO-200

Sony A6000, Zeiss Batis 2/25, f2.8, 1/750 sec., ISO-200

Sony A7RII, Zeiss Batis 2.8/135, f2.8 ,1/800 sec., ISO-640

Sony A7RII Zeiss, Batis 2.8/135, f2.8,1/1600 sec., ISO-200

Sony A6000, Zeiss Batis 2/25, f2.8,1/1000 sec., ISO-200

Sony A7RII, Zeiss Batis 2.8/135, f2.8,1/1250 sec., ISO-200

Sony A7RII, Zeiss Batis 2.8/135, f2.8,1/400 sec., ISO-200

all images where post processed to my taste