sv3noKin51E

Mac, That's the eternal, question, and will be asked/answered as long as we can choose from the many types of lens made; sounds like the person who recently took the answer to the Pi formula, to a new record-breaking answer consisting trillions of digits:)

The number of lenses which are really needed, are how many a photographer needs in order to get the best shots they want for their work. Some take all of their images, using a single-length lens, and getting a great deal of exercise back and forth. That's their choice and it works for them. It's up to the individual to limit their lens choice to 'only' 1 or 2. To infer that a photographer should/shouldn't limit themselves to one or many lens, isa personal choice. As a guitarist plays one of his 400 guitars on stage, at a given time, some of his other instruments have musical sounds/qualities he needs for his performance, which the first guitar doesn't have. As long as he can afford and take care of his equipment, it's not for anyone to judge that the guitarist 'really needs' only one guitar, two guitars, etc, and the same goes for lenses.

Some people carry a bag filled with several good lenses, 35, 50, 100mm, multiple zooms and a telephoto. All images are possible in the photographer's trek, so it's a matter of choice, rather than to say, he 'really needs' a certain number. Choose to be a minimalist with one camera and one lens, or choose to work out of a trunk containing many lenses (and several bodies), all ready to go at all times. Whatever the photographer believes he/she needs to get the job done, they should be able to use.

Some of our lenses are used more than others, and all of them are used during the year, and all of them are enjoyable to use. They're all different in some way and the diversity breeds creativity. A buddy always uses 4 or 5 lenses, with a prime and spare body. When out for a day in the woods, I'll pack two cameras, one is in a holster mounted to a long telephoto/ The other body with a 35-135mm attached, stays in it's bag with an open flap. Sometimes there will be another lens in it's bag on a belt clip. When watching birds from the deck or out in the yard, a 28-300mm is all I 'really need' :) From one, comes many possibilities. Peace. sv

SoftLights Loc: New Orleans, LA

This is sort of a fun question. I think I could probably get by with two, a short zoom and a long zoom. However, I still have a lens I bought shortly after acquiring my first Nikon in the 70's, a used F, which is a 43-86 zoom. I once ran across a list of the 10 worse Nikon lens and this one was on it but it's attached to the old F body sitting on a shelf next to the 50 1.4 that came with the F. Haven't used either lens in 30 or so years but can't seem to part with them even tho it's basically a paper weight or dust cap for my old Nikon. Think I'll take it down, blow the dust off and see if it still works. Sorry for the ramble

Ray Maines

I really don't think there is an upper limit.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

How many are needed? How many can you carry.

Randyfrieder Loc: Long Island, New York

This many:

Randyfrieder Loc: Long Island, New York

And these:

Randyfrieder Loc: Long Island, New York

And let’s not talk about flash brackets!!

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

You need to click “store original” so I can reach in and “borrow” one!

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

16-35mm
24-70mm
70-200mm
...all 2.8
150-600m
85mmF1.4
Macro lens

....anymore is extraneous....and I got them anyway and constantly fussing over primes to replace 'em (and did in several cases)

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

What lens one uses depends upon what that person is photographing and what their intent is. I would think this would be obvious but apparently it is not to you. If your someone who shoots macro then a lens of that type is needed. If, instead, you shoot wildlife, then a lens for that is needed. You need to get out more and shoot more often and more variety and then you'll figure it out.

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

You need to reread my original post.
I stated the need for a specialty lens and specifically mentioned Macro and Telephoto.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

Oh you do have a problem, don't you... I think you need therapy.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

Not a 50mm

Bipod

Just curous: how did you test your lenses?

What kind of photography do you do?

Bipod

With apologies to Kodak: one cannot capture a memory, only an image.
Sentimental images are bad photography: kitsch.

Not all amateurs are bad photographers (nor, alas, are all professionals
equally good --these days, most are struggling just to stay in business).

Henri Cartier-Bresson was an amateur photographer. He used 35 mm
rangefinder and a 50 mm lens---standard equipment for amateurs at
that time.

It just so happened that that equipment was understandable,
controllable and very reliable. He didn't need to change cameras every
few years: his Leica kept working (it still works--but it's in a museum now).
When he did buy a new Leica, it was compatible with the old one:
nothing to re-learn.

And it didn't have different menus--it didn't have menus. He could use it
without taking it down from his eye. It didn't have bugs in in its firmware
becuase it didn't have firmware. And no batteries to go dead.

I very much doubt your cell phone is going to end up in a museum. It is much
more likely to end up in a landfilll--along with any prints made from it.
And the digital images it took will simply disappear into thin air--as all
records eventually do that aren't recorded in permanent materials.

Cell phones are a wonder of modern technology and a tremendous convenience.
They have produced no photography of note--nothing that will las as long as
Cartier-Bresson's work has. In a few years, some new consumer gadget will
replace them--and cell phones will be old hat.