AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

I am a bit confused by all the lenses some photographers have that have overlapping mm designations. If I have a 75-300mm lens and 28-85mm lens, why would I want to have a 100-200mm or 28-105mm lens? Wouldn't the 75-300 have mm settings for 100, 105, and 200 that I could use just as well? Is there something that I am missing here as to why several different lenses are needed that have the same mm settings?

dannyp59 Loc: Granite Falls, WA.

Is the 28-85 a wide angle? The other one is a telephoto.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The only real advantage to having the duplicate focal lengths is if some of the lenses are "faster" glass. Say the 70-300mm is a F4-5.6 aperture lens, then a 70-200mm F2.8 lens would definitely have light advantages, at the loss of focal range.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

I wouldn't classify the 28-85 as wide angle, as I have the kit lens of 18-70 that does a nice job for landscapes. I hardly ever use the 28-85, as I figured that from 70-85mm is not going to "buy" me that much extra in DOF on a shot. I use the telephoto for wildlife. I also have a 50mm prime that I have hardly ever used. It seems when I am out in the field there is always something that I need near and far capability on. Of course, if I was going to just do photos of a certain subject, and the 28-85 or 50 would be better, then I would use them, but mostly I am an opportunistic photographer, and don't want to have to purchase another camera to dedicate a lens to for a "what if" moment.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

True, but couldn't you compensate for the light by increasing ISO, or slowing the shutter speed?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

In theory, yes, but with sacrifice of image quality when you do so.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

in the end the reason for so many lenses is because you found a need for them, or you ran into one hell of a salesperson.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Also, some people have more money than they know what to do with .....