How Many Lenses Are Really Needed? (Page 8): :sm24: :sm24: :sm24:...

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

dsmeltz wrote:

I use the lens less photoed by, and that has made all the difference.

Bill_de Loc: US

John Maher wrote:

Good question.

Rephrased: What lens do you use most and why (purpose)?

This can assist new users in "prioritizing" their purchases. Some may never get into a specialty (e.g., macro), and others may expand to include it later. Some uses may overlap, leading to a common "best choice".

It keeps going back to that basic question: What are you going to photograph?

Not disagreeing, but that should be a new topic with an appropriate title. It is not going to assist anyone lost in the middle of this thread.

It is your idea, I hope you follow through.

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

dsmeltz wrote:

I use the lens less photoed by, and that has made all the difference.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Mac wrote:

Other than for professional photographers (those who earn their living through photography) how many lenses are really needed? On full frame camera is anything more than a 35mm or 50mm and a specialty lens, ie a telephoto, or macro, or something else depending on the focus of interest really needed? I know that lens manufacturers want us to think we do, but do we really?

As many as you want, really. I only need a couple of focal length ranges covered, but I have a literal trunk full of lenses going back to the 80's. Built a collection of working lenses for modern gear buying used lenses and bodies. Some only come out once in a while, but I keep em clean and can drop one on a body anytime and use it. Mine cover many Nikon, Sony, Minolta, Tokina, Sigma, Tamron, Vivitar, Braun, and others. Some I have sold and later regretted, but same could be said for old cars/trucks/Jeeps/motorcycles I've owned.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

RichardSM wrote:

Do I detect some jealousy here Mac? I would think if folks (Photographers) wish to own lots of lens it’s there business and why do you bring this up?

No jealousy. I own many lenses. If you read my previous responses in this thread you will see my reasons for asking.

BOB WETHERELL

Good topic and helpful replys.

lonewolf456

I guess because he wants answers and opinions.

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

I use 3. EFS 15-85, EF 70-300, and Tamron 150-600mm G2. I haven't found the reason to want more, however time will tell.

Peteso Loc: Blacks Hills

It depends on the type of photography you do, regardless of whether you’re a pro or not. For example, events, landscape, sports, wildlife, macro, low light, etc. require different lenses.

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

24 - 105
The rest of them stay usually home.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Mac wrote:

Other than for professional photographers (those who earn their living through photography) how many lenses are really needed? On full frame camera is anything more than a 35mm or 50mm and a specialty lens, ie a telephoto, or macro, or something else depending on the focus of interest really needed? I know that lens manufacturers want us to think we do, but do we really?

I know, I "kinda" have too many (clutter), but I don't want to miss a single one ( I have over 20).

ronaldwrightdallas

I only need one of each lens made to fit my camera. oh, also for my second camera.

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

Mac wrote:

Other than for professional photographers (those who earn their living through photography) how many lenses are really needed? On full frame camera is anything more than a 35mm or 50mm and a specialty lens, ie a telephoto, or macro, or something else depending on the focus of interest really needed? I know that lens manufacturers want us to think we do, but do we really?

Depends on the kind of photography you like to do. I am kind of a generalist And the lenses I use regularly (for a FF camera) are a wide angle, a normal and a medium telephoto (all primes). The lenses I use less often (speciality lenses) are two long teles and a macro. The lenses (and bodies) that fall out of favor I give away rather than let them collect dust or sell at deep disounts.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

Kmgw9v wrote:

Abosutely. You have made my day. Great poem that influenced my wording.
“One could do worse than be a swinger of birches”

I to love Robert Frost!

The way a crow shook down on me
A dust snow from a hemlock tree
Has touched my heart and changed my mood
And saved some part of a day I had rued!

Leeo Loc: Oregon

Any lens that makes you happy! All my lens make me happy. A lens that doesn't function makes me sad. Gone are the days when I would use a fruit juice can, on my camera body and turn my 50mm 1.2 lens backward to shoot macro. Now I have an M2. I am happy.