Capturing the Majesty of Mysore Dasara with the Canon 85mm Lens | Balladi Studios
Why We Chose the Canon 85mm for Mysuru Dasara
When we got the chance to shoot Mysuru Dasara this year, we knew it was going to be special. This isn’t just any festival – it’s one of India’s grandest celebrations, full of royal history, incredible culture, and visuals that take your breath away.
But here’s the thing about shooting Mysuru Dasara: it’s not easy. You’ve got the massive Mysuru palace lit up at night, dancers moving through intricate routines, decorated elephants walking through packed streets, and crowds everywhere. The lighting changes constantly. One moment you’re shooting in golden hour, the next you’re in near darkness trying to catch a performer’s expression.
We needed a lens that could handle all of this without compromising on quality. That’s where the Canon RF85mm f/1.4L VCM came in – and honestly, it became the hero of our entire shoot.
What Makes This Festival So Special (And So Challenging)
Every frame at Mysuru Dasara tells its own story. The palace standing tall against the night sky. An artisan’s weathered hands adjusting traditional decorations. A dancer completely lost in the moment, eyes gleaming with centuries of cultural memory. Elephants dressed in golden ornaments, somehow moving gracefully through crowded lanes.
These aren’t just nice pictures waiting to happen. They’re real moments that pass in seconds, and you either catch them or you don’t.
The lighting was probably our biggest challenge. We went from bright afternoon processions to dimly lit evening performances. Low light can be a nightmare for any camera setup, but the f/1.4 aperture on the Canon RF85mm lens handled it beautifully. We got sharp, clear shots even when light was scarce, all while keeping that gorgeous blurred background that makes subjects pop.
The result? Footage and photos that feel real – like you’re actually there, experiencing it yourself.
The Canon RF85mm f/1.4L VCM – What Actually Matters
Look, we could bore you with technical specs all day. But what really matters when you’re in the middle of shooting a festival like Mysuru Dasara?
The autofocus on this Canon 85mm lens is fast and silent. When a dancer suddenly spins or an elephant moves through the frame, the lens keeps up. No hunting, no noise, just smooth tracking. The Voice Coil Motor (VCM) technology makes this happen, and in documentary shooting where moments don’t repeat, that reliability matters more than anything.
The physical iris control ring was another game-changer for us. Our team could adjust exposure on the fly without fumbling through menus. When you’re following action and the light changes, being able to make quick adjustments while staying focused on the subject – that’s huge.
And the 85mm focal length? It’s that sweet spot where you’re close enough to feel intimate but not so close that you’re invading someone’s space. Perfect for capturing authentic moments without disrupting them.
How This Lens Fits Into Our Work
We’ve always believed something simple at Balladi Studios: good gear doesn’t make you a good filmmaker, but the right tools definitely help you do better work.
The Canon RF85mm f/1.4L VCM has become one of our go-to lenses. Whether we’re shooting cultural events like Mysuru Dasara, working on brand projects, or documenting quieter, more personal moments – this lens delivers the quality we need.
What we love most is how it lets us balance the technical side with the emotional side of storytelling. You can nail the technical aspects – sharpness, exposure, focus – while still capturing genuine feeling and atmosphere. That balance is what we’re always chasing.
Why This Project Mattered to Us
Shooting Mysuru Dasara reminded us why we do this work. It’s not just about documenting an event. It’s about preserving something meaningful – traditions, emotions, moments that connect us to our culture and to each other.
The Canon 85mm lens helped us do exactly that. Frame by frame, we captured not just what Mysuru Dasara looks like, but what it feels like to be there.
Want to See More?
Curious about the final results from our Mysuru Dasara shoot? Follow along with our work and see what we’re creating next.
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Watch the output of this shoot: YouTube
