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

Periodically a question will be posted listing the posters lenses and asking which one to use for a specific location/reason/result. Or what point & shoot to buy, or what additional lens to buy so they don't have to take all their lenses with them. Why would anyone buy a lens without knowing what to use it for and when to use it? And why would anyone take all their lenses with them wherever they go? Just take what will be needed.


For what it's worth, I have two cameras and five lenses.

I have a Nikon D7200 that I use with a Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR for when I want to shoot far away things.

My main camera is a Nikon Df. The four lenses I use on the Df are:
Nikon AF Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D
Nikon AF Nikkor 35mm f/2D
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D
Nikon AF-S Micro Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED VR

The lenses that get used most on my Df are the 35mm and 50mm

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I think you may have answered your question with your question, "Why would anyone buy a lens without knowing what to use it for and when to use it"?

Some of the folks on here are quite new to photography. Thus, there is some trepidation when it comes to selecting a lens for a specific reason.

In response to your question of "why would anyone take all their lenses with them wherever they go"? I present a photograph of Ansel Adams, marked taken by Michael Cedrick, getting ready for a trip. The philosophy is it's better to take something and not use it than to need it and not have it.
--Bob

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I think it has to do with a desire to make the camera an extension of the eye (which it already is) but without having to do any planning before the shot - point, shoot, repeat, just like the eye-brain does. I have four lenses for my D7000 and am doing my best to take only one out at a time as my go to lens and get the shots that I can with it to experience what that focal length or range of zoom has to offer. But that's just me.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Good points. If you don't know which lens(s) to buy or take on vacation it probably doesn't really matter. OTOH, people are free to do what they like...I don't care as long it doesn't impact me.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Some short answers -

I like to have coverage for the focal lengths I expect to need. I have no need for over 300mm, so that's my longest, although I do have a 1.4 TC.
I occasionally pick a lens at random and spend a few hours shooting with it.
My 28-300mm is my go-to, general purpose lens.
Unless I am going away for a few days - by car - I don't take lots of lenses. I'm doing a workshop in a few weeks, and the instructor said to bring several lenses, so I'll do that.

I don't see a problem with someone wanting to buy a wide angles lens without needing one for a specific purpose - like shooting home interiors for a real estate. I had no need for a fish eye lens, but I bought one, and I like using it.

DannyMeazell

I personally shoot mostly Landscape. I have the largest camera backpacker bag available. I carry A Nikon 200x500 in a separate bag of its own! I carry two lenses for my Nikon d850 on landscape shoots! I carry a Nikon 75x300 and a 25mm wide angle lens. I keep a Nikon d750 with the 200x500mm lens beside me on these shoots! I shoot a lot over water and there is a huge variety of birds and bugs either flying by or landing near me! Those are what I keep the 200x500 for is fly by's or nearby's! I also shoot a lot of speed boats shooting by when they cross the sunbeams! If they are close I grab the 300mm lens and for farther out I grab the 500mm lens! So I keep out two cameras when I shoot landscapes! For the sunsets I use the 25mm wide or the 75x300mm lens! The wide angle for huge cloud covers and the 300 for small clusters!
I'm not sure why but Dragon Flys, or Snake Doctors love me! I Love them too! Different names for Same fly. My Comanche grandmother always called them Snake Doctors! They often land near by or even on me! I love getting photos of them! They are some of the most colorful beautiful creachers on earth!
I also shoot Boudior photography, my second love! I use my 75x300mm f/1.4 , my 50mm f/1.4 and am about to pick up a
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G Lens For Boudior and a general purpose lens!

erinjay64

People tend to buy lenses because most cameras aint much good without them. This applies to pros who know what to use, and how to use it, as well as to newbies learning what is what, and acting out of curiosity.

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

What Adams said is true, but why buy something else so you don't have to take what you already have.

Jim Bob

Come on Mac. Think about a couple of seconds and the answer should be readily apparent.

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

Yeah, I know.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I think you may have answered your question with your question, "Why would anyone buy a lens without knowing what to use it for and when to use it"? Bob, because they have GAS and need one but have not asked the question.

digitalexplr Loc: Central Missouri

This is like the "which is the best daily carry lens" topic(s).

Buy as many as you want. Carry as many as you want.

Be happy! Take a lot of photos!

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

I would guess people buy them for the following:
1. For a particular job or event that requires a particular type of lens.
2. It may be a newer and superior version of the lens they already own (or not).
3. New all-in-one lenses are coming out all of the time. They seem to appeal to travelers.
4. They decide to move into a different field of photography.
5. The are obsessed with the latest and greatest and have convinced themselves they will find a use for it before it is even purchased.
6. A friend has a bigger one and this is a claim they are unable to live with.

I am sure there are more on the way from others.

Retired fat guy with a camera Loc: Colorado

I have 2 bodies, a Canon 1D. I got that one off e-bay with a shutter count of 8,000 for $550. And a 1Ds Mark lll, I bought this one off craigs list for 600, with a shutter count around 20,000.
When I go out, I like to have a wide angle lens on the 1Ds, and a zoom on the 1D.
My first L lens was a old, 100-300 mm. I paid 250 for it on ebay. I bought to see if L lenses were all they were supposed to be. They are. It has a marco switch. It is old outdated. and I will keep it forever.
I have a 24-105 mm L. It is my go to lens. I paid 400 for it on craigs list.
A f/4 70- 200 mm L. Again 400 dollars from craigs list.
A f/4 300 mm L non IS. It is as sharp as they said it would be. I paid big bucks for this one, 550 from e-bay.
And lastly a 1.8 50 mm.
I have a 1.4 extender that I hate. It is the original model. I tried to sell it, no luck . So it sits.
I read reviews of every lens I bought. Then I read some more. I go to flicker and look at pictures taken with the lens I am researching.
I would like to have a 100 mm macro lens. I have OCD and 5 is odd number and that drives me half crazy. I will probably spend the extra money and get the L.

Leitz Loc: Solms

I buy 'em because I'm lazy. Takes too much effort to get a sharply focused image without 'em.