Dewman Loc: SW Idaho

It's a little after 4 a.m. and I can't sleep, so I'm up and wanting to talk photography to someone.... so I'm pickin' on you'ze guys!

I'm curious if there are any of you, like me, who keep one particular lens on one of your cameras (assuming you have more than one body) at all times?

There seems like every once in a while, one of those "spur of the moment" photo ops will present itself and I don't have time to dig through my camera case and look for a lens that I think will be appropriate for the occasion.

The lens that has filled that niche for me is a Tamron AF XR (IF) 28-200mm f:3.5 - 5.6 Macro lens that is ALWAYS attached to one of my Pentax DSLR's. I was lucky enough to find this pristine lens at a yard sale a couple of years ago for the princely sum of $15.00! It is the Silver Version, and an early production run (Ser. # 000404). The lens reviews give it so-so marks, but I believe that mine must be either an exceptional copy of this lens, or as I suspect, being an early production run, there was more QC and closer tolerances kept on the early ones. I have another one (also a Silver Version) that is also an early production copy (Ser.# 000794) and it too mimics my other Silver Version. In any event, neither of mine adhere to the reviews I've read on it.... not by a LONG SHOT!

Mine has proven itself to be extremely sharp throughout the entire focal length and, with a close-focus magnification of 1:4, it has provided me with some amazingly sharp close-ups with amazing bokeh.

There has never been an impromptu situation that this lens has not performed to my standards. This is not to say that if I had time and I had a pre-arranged subject, such as photographing bees or some extreme close-ups of flower stamens or some such, I wouldn't opt for something different, but even in those situations, it would still do pretty dang good! I LOVE this lens!

g8rfan1942 Loc: Ormond Beach Fl

I keep a Sigma 18-300 on my Canon 7D all the time as my "go to" walk around lens and in the year since I bought it, I've been extremely happy with the results.I also have my backup Canon XSi handy and keep a Canon 18-55 on it so, depending on the situation from portrait to wildlife shots, I have all my bases covered.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I keep two on two bodies: the Nikon 35-70mm f/2.8 and the Nikon 28-300mm. Of course it depends on what I am shooting. I may want something wider, maybe a fisheye.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

I always wanted a super zoom Tammy. Dew, how old is the one you found?
I leave my 24-105 f4 on my 7D. Cut the foam out of a hard case to fit.
When I only had my XTi, I would try to leave my 55-250 on when I put it up, as to have a good all round lens available, "in a hurry".
Marion

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

My "Go-To" lens is the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II. It is mounted on my D7100 at least 95% of the time. The 18-200 does the bulk of the work for me, having a nice zoom-range and is tack-sharp with good lighting. :thumbup: :mrgreen: :thumbup:

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I keep my EF 70-200 f/2.8 L II on my 6D and my EF 100-400 L II on my 7DII. I find that the combo works well for me most of the time.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

My choice is easy...lol. I only HAVE one lens.

Leica M6 Classic with Summarit 35mm f/2.5

Always ready to go. No switch to turn on, batteries to check, just point it at something, focus and hit the shutter.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

I have three bodies that I use regularly, two xsi and 60d. I keep a 28 135 on one of the xsi a walk around or all purpose lens. If I am going out and want a camera for the times that you run into that you wish you had. Depending on the situation I will put lens on another body such as my 100mm micro or my 150 600 Tamaron. I do not like to be changeing lens for a particular shot and I can not find a lens that suits me in an all so called all purpose lens,

Dewman Loc: SW Idaho

Marion, I think I was introduced about 2008. http://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/tamron-af-28-200mm-f-3-8-5-6-xr-di-aspherical-if-macro.html

I recently acquired a SMC Pentax DA 18-260mm ED AL (IF)
http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DA-18-250mm-F3.5-6.3-Zoom-Lens.html
that I'm still experimenting with that would actually cover more focal length, but it's quite a bit bigger than the Tamron and it's going to have it's work cut out for it to equal the performance of my old standby!

If you're interested.... and they make an adapter for the 28-200mm Tamron your camera, since I have two of them, I'll make you a deal that would be hard to pass up!

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

I bet it does. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

I keep the 28-300 on my D600. And the 35 on the D300s. They are both always in the truck with me.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Thank you Dewman, but I'll have to pass.
I've got lenses I can't seem to find time to use the way it is. My Lensbaby's are in need of a serious workout. I have macro tubes for them that I really need to have fun with. I'm starting to rearrange my priorities and putting macro near the top.
Marion

Dewman Loc: SW Idaho

Erv, I've got a Sigma 28-300mm lens, but that thing is a MONSTER! A little too much of a good thing for my purposes, me thinks!

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

I use the Canon flavor of the 18-200

Basil Loc: New Mexico

The lens I keep on my 7DM2 most of the time is the Canon 24-105mm L lens. Reasonable range for most applications.