Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main Photography Discussion
How Many Lenses Are Really Needed?
Page <prev 2 of 14 next> last>>
Mar 13, 2019 21:27:04   #
LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America
 
On a full frame a 28-300 will cover most everything with at least moderate adequacy, and a 50 1.8 for low light and you have a great beginners setup.

Using NIKON FF and a 28-105/3.5-4.5 macro and a 70-210/4 plus a 300/4 and a 50/1.8 ... all bought used ... and you have everything you really need to be a beginning pro, assuming you have the skills.

Reply
Mar 13, 2019 21:27:28   #
aikiboy
 
Checking pockets, checking budget, making brief attempt to engage common sense, returning to B&H website.

Reply
Mar 13, 2019 21:27:52   #
Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.
 
Kmgw9v wrote:
One could do worse than be a collector of good lenses.


That is what I have unintentionally become, and is pretty much what prompted my question.

Reply
 
 
Mar 13, 2019 21:29:41   #
LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America
 
On a DX an 18-200 will cover most everything acceptably.

Reply
Mar 13, 2019 21:30:16   #
aikiboy
 
What is need, and how existential has it become?

Reply
Mar 13, 2019 21:33:18   #
LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY
 
How many do you need? Hmmmm...
I always thought the question was: How many can you afford?

Reply
Mar 13, 2019 21:42:34   #
RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia
 
For myself it has been mostly driven by what I shoot.
Back in my digital early days when bodies didn't have real good very high ISO performance:
Classical music concerts meant a few very fast primes on multiple bodies.
Birding and motor racing meant a lens with lots of reach (out to 500mm).
For general purpose photography (travel/scapes) a "standard zoom" is fine, alnong with a possible very wide angle lens.

Nowdays with improved high ISO perfomance bodies, and subjects have changed, I hame happy with just two lenses on two bodies..

Reply
 
 
Mar 13, 2019 21:44:36   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
To answer the question you first have to buy or build a lens cabinet. Then you "NEED" to fill it. The number of lenses will be determined by the size of the cabinet and the size of the lenses. If you want to own a lot of lenses buy small ones. If you don't want to feel bogged down by having a large number of lenses, buy big ones.



--

Reply
Mar 13, 2019 21:46:26   #
wgraburn Loc: Chicago
 
"Need" is not the most relevant word since you can adjust your photography around the equipment you have. As you imply, it is easy to get sucked into buying a lot of expensive equipment that you may not need enough to use frequently if you have it, or may find that you just do not like to use it. That can be especially true if you take photography classes or watch video tutorials that recommend equipment for different purposes.


Depending on where you are in your development, versatile zoom lenses make a lot of sense. At many price points they are not the best lenses but I'd hold off on investing in a lot in specialized lenses until you find yourself passionate about some particular type of photography and frustrated because you cannot execute what you want to do.

Tomorrow I have a class in macro photography about which I know little. I'm convinced that specialized macro lenses would allow me to produce better photos but I'm not certain that I'd use them often enough to spend money to buy them. If I develop a passionate interest in photographing flowers, insects or mushrooms I might change my mind.

I spent money on an expensive tripod which is good to have but I rarely use it. I should but I hate carrying it. I bought a reflector which was useful on a class assignment but I've never used it again. I have extension tubes which may never be used again. Equipment that is good to have but not used very often is fine if one's budget permits but a prior calculation of the likely frequency of use, even though not immediately known, seems prudent. I think you answered your own question. Obviously the pros need to have the best they can afford but photography can be a spending sinkhole where we are enticed into spending a lot on items we use too infrequently to justify.

Reply
Mar 13, 2019 21:46:54   #
Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA
 
I but what I can afford and what I think I need. Let others do as they will.Happy Shooting.

Reply
Mar 13, 2019 21:53:17   #
ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca
 
I own 6 lenses & will only take along all 6 on auto - Lenses in the trunk - vacations -- For in the bag carry I always take 3 lenses -- 24mm 1.4; 35mm 1.4; 85mm 1.8 & depending what I expect to encounter what I consider large telephotos 135mm 2.0 or 100-400 is II plus always an extender/teleconverter 1.4x III which fits either lens --

Reply
 
 
Mar 13, 2019 21:54:31   #
SnappyHappy Loc: Chapin, SC “The Capitol of Lake Murray”
 
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 think your key word is “need”. “Want” is so much more fun...so if your asking how much fun do I want to have, my answer is all I can get. I hear what you’re saying about how much is too much, and I question most of my decisions to add to my kit almost every time, just seconds before I do. It’s hard to resist any kit part that I think will make it easier to capture a better image. When I was younger, and an avid golfer, I never considered another lens...it was drivers, wedges and putters that I had a weakness for. Thank God I’m cured of the golf bug now and with the help of a foldable hand cart I can carry a percentage of my lenses with me any time I want to. Is this a wonderful country or what!

Reply
Mar 13, 2019 21:58:13   #
Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.
 
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 am thinking...ONE more.... ;)

How many lenses depends on each person and what their interests are. I have lenses from Ultra Wide angle to a 600 mm telephoto plus a macro lens and fisheye. I shoot with them all, though I tend to only carry the lenses I anticipate I will use with me. Rarely will I carry more than 3 lenses anywhere in my bag.

FWIW: According to Lightroom, my lenses over the past several years (@ 60,000 photos)

Looking at Lightroom Dashboard gives a look at usage. BTW - A handy site/tool for some stats. http://www.lightroomdashboard.com/app#/load


(Download)


(Download)

Reply
Mar 13, 2019 22:11:48   #
BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten
 
Dngallagher wrote:
I am thinking...ONE more.... ;).


Ha! This is it!
Of course it must be said every time you buy one! Lol!

Reply
Mar 13, 2019 22:16:09   #
Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.
 
BassmanBruce wrote:
Ha! This is it!
Of course it must be said every time you buy one! Lol!



Reply
Page <prev 2 of 14 next> last>>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.