Their is really no walk around lens. It depends on what you will be shooting.
I guess 24 to 70mm would be a start. And what lens F stop. Are you thinking low light
like your in a church in Italy. Recently having switched to a Fuji gear I started
getting a lot of information on lensing. Street photographers on the Fuji's like
23mm, 56mm, 16mm etc. And a small camera and gear so you don't have
people troubles. When I bought my first Fuji XT-3 on big sale it came with
no cost the 16 80mm F4. Great lens but I would really like at least 2.8.
It really is what you want to do. You could start off with a 50mm like the
Sony zeiss 50mm 1.8 great lens. Sold some of Sony gear to buy Fuji rig.
Editorials what seemed prized was a good 35mm lens with like F1.4
I owned an AV company and all of our many camera's was a Nikon
body and a 35mm lens. That was it. Good luck.
I believe the term originated in the film camera days for street photography and included 28mm, 35mm and 50mm lens. Now, lenses are much broader in scope (and weight!) and the old definition no really longer applies because you can have the advantage of a wide angle for street photography and a small telephoto all in one nice small package, though I must admit my 50mm 1.4 Minolta is still my favorite when shooting film.
DeanS
Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina
Mac wrote:
I have always thought of a walk around lens as a compact, light weight, general purpose lens to carry on strolls and take on picnics, etc. Something like 24-85mm or 28-105mm.
Lately I’ve seen recommendations like 18-400mm or 28-300mm which strikes me as overkill for a walk. They seem to me more like one size fits all lenses.
Is there a consensus on what makes a good walk around lens?
I don’t get hung up over what others prefer. I have my standards, others have theirs. No issues here, and that’s how it should be.
What is a walk around lens?
What is a good lens?
What is a bad lens or camera or tripod or what ever?
They are opinions and that's what we are giving. To some of us --no such thing as a walk around lens to others, it's our personal opinion and I believe that was the original question, What we use as ---
A simple benign question, a request for an opinion, and it leads to contention. I don't get it.
Amadeus wrote:
A simple benign question, a request for an opinion, and it leads to contention. I don't get it.
Contention?!?!?! What are you talking about?!?!?! You tryin’ to start trouble?!?!?!
😳😳😳
Mac, I am an old guy but I have used 3 lenses as walk around. I use a 50mm f1.2 on my Nikon F3hp. I use a 24mm f2.8 on my Nikon F6 and a 85mm F1.8 on my Nikon D700. I have taken a lot of photos that I like very much on Kodak Tri-X or Ilford XP2. I am too old to change( I bought these cameras when Nikon released them) and they have traveled with me all over.
Hopefully that answered your question from one point of view.
Good shooting.
I keep a mid zoom (e.g., 24-120 or 16-80 DX) as a grab n' go set up in case something happens.
Mac wrote:
I have always thought of a walk around lens as a compact, light weight, general purpose lens to carry on strolls and take on picnics, etc. Something like 24-85mm or 28-105mm.
Lately I’ve seen recommendations like 18-400mm or 28-300mm which strikes me as overkill for a walk. They seem to me more like one size fits all lenses.
Is there a consensus on what makes a good walk around lens?
My "Walk Around Lens" is what I determine is needed for the particular "Walk Around".
In the woods, desert, outdoors the perfect one for walk around for me is the 100-400mm L MII.
It gets birds, critters bugs, flowers etc. (Near Macro) without changing lens. If I need a different lens it will be wider thus most likely a stationary subject and no rush to change. The other way around a critter moving rapidly will NOT afford me a chance to change lenses.
In a city or beach etc. it is frequently the 24-105mm as that seems to work best.
So the term "Walk Around" varies from person to person and situation to situation.
I have NO desire for some other's choices and I am sure my choices are not liked either.
Who Cares?
What works for you, that is what is important.
This horse has been dead for a good while. Beatings will no longer influence behavior. Individual choice. The best one can do is suggest lenses that have worked for them across a broad selection of genres. I can remember when a 24 on my F2 was as hot as it got, in the city! Now, 24-85 on the old D3 just Rocks. Dealers choice!
Mac wrote:
I have always thought of a walk around lens as a compact, light weight, general purpose lens to carry on strolls and take on picnics, etc. Something like 24-85mm or 28-105mm.
Lately I’ve seen recommendations like 18-400mm or 28-300mm which strikes me as overkill for a walk. They seem to me more like one size fits all lenses.
Is there a consensus on what makes a good walk around lens?
I am sure you will get a variety of different answers. I usually have my 35mm f/1.4 on my camera for walking around street photography in an urban environment. I am starting to also use an 80mm f/1.4 for more candid photos. Both of these lenses are fast and can be used in low light. I carry the extra lens in a vest pocket. I prefer to travel lite. I will use the same configuration for travel pictures.
Mundy
yorkiebyte
Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR
quixdraw wrote:
This horse has been dead for a good while. Beatings will no longer influence behavior. Individual choice. The best one can do is suggest lenses that have worked for them across a broad selection of genres. I can remember when a 24 on my F2 was as hot as it got, in the city! Now, 24-85 on the old D3 just Rocks. Dealers choice!
Yep! This horse been rode hawd'.... Put away wet!!
yorkiebyte
Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR
mundy-F2 wrote:
I am sure you will get a variety of different answers. I usually have my 35mm f/1.4 on my camera for walking around street photography in an urban environment. I am starting to also use an 80mm f/1.4 for more candid photos. Both of these lenses are fast and can be used in low light. I carry the extra lens in a vest pocket. I prefer to travel lite. I will use the same configuration for travel pictures.
Mundy
... right on! (Yeah, 60s, I know...)
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