the right number of lens to have (Page 2): if you are getting the 55-300, then why buy the 85? I have several lenses and bought each one for a specific reason. You buy a lens when the...

jim quist Loc: Missouri

if you are getting the 55-300, then why buy the 85?
I have several lenses and bought each one for a specific reason.
You buy a lens when the lenses you have can't accomplish what you need to do.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

CaptainC wrote:

Twelve.

Absolutely correct.

That's the number I have (until the next one).

anotherview Loc: California

Simplest answer: Keep the 55m. Skip the 85mm. Get the 55-300mm zoom lens.

Note that today, zoom lens engineering has reached a point where zoom lenses near equal a prime lens. For this reason I say skip the 85mm lens.

clive hall wrote:

i would like to know how much is too much, or too little. i have it in mind to buy two other lens to go along with the 55mm lens that i already have with my camera. i am thinking of buying a 85mm, and a 55- 300mm telephoto zoom lens. would this be too much, or would either one of the two be good enough to go with what i already have.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

I have your quandary in my photo life. Abstracting it from photography by analogy: To enjoy a tour vacation, how many trailers behind that huge 50' self contained monster bus camper, how much on top, how many bikes up front and how many things to sit up before you can lean back and enjoy the camp site.... In contrast, tent camping with it's limitations and short comings is freedom!! Like wise as the Historic Orientals say "Less is more"... yep!!! Freedom is a SuperZoom pocket camera. (yes, have lots [too many] of Minolta A lenses from mid 80's on and a Sony A65... but only dusted off for rare times... perhaps to impress others that I take photography seriously)

Lenses?? Things close, things medium distance, and things far away. 100mm Macro for portraits and "True Macro".... zoom 70-200... and perhaps a crazy 300 or even a wow 500mm mirrored... that covers the water front...

Of course if you do special things in special conditions... special lenses... but how often? Not often, then forget it! Keep life simple... do as I say, not do as I do. "Anotheview" above has it right... minimize

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I think this question is missing one concept. Do you want to shoot with zooms or primes.
I don't think their is any replacement for a quality prime lens. Filmmakers shoot primarily with primes.
They have whole sets of Cooke, zeiss etc etc. Why because the lens perform better for each frame selected.

folkus

How do you choose between the Leica and Canon? What determines your choice and why not just pick one and stick with it? Just curious. Have Canon, but now always choose my Leica M-P Typ 240 (28, 50, 90).

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

clive hall wrote:

i would like to know how much is too much, or too little. i have it in mind to buy two other lens to go along with the 55mm lens that i already have with my camera. i am thinking of buying a 85mm, and a 55- 300mm telephoto zoom lens. would this be too much, or would either one of the two be good enough to go with what i already have.

If each degree in the degrees of view of a 20 MM lens represented the number of lenses I have owned or currently own it would still not be enough.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

That is sorta like asking if you have too much money!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

nimbushopper wrote:

That is sorta like asking if you have too much money!

That's a NEVER also.

PB73 Loc: Fremont, Ohio

CaptainC wrote:

Twelve.

Hacksaw Loc: Pacific Northwest

Wait, you mean there's a number we're limited to?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I have 3 lenses for my 4x5, 4 for my medium format, somewhat around 15 for my 35mm. However, for the most part, I use a 20mm and 28~300 most of the time on any 35mm format camera.
--Bob

clive hall wrote:

i would like to know how much is too much, or too little. i have it in mind to buy two other lens to go along with the 55mm lens that i already have with my camera. i am thinking of buying a 85mm, and a 55- 300mm telephoto zoom lens. would this be too much, or would either one of the two be good enough to go with what i already have.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

clive hall wrote:

i would like to know how much is too much, or too little. i have it in mind to buy two other lens to go along with the 55mm lens that i already have with my camera. i am thinking of buying a 85mm, and a 55- 300mm telephoto zoom lens. would this be too much, or would either one of the two be good enough to go with what i already have.

Every lens was mad with it's purpose, just buy what you need for. 85mm is a prime lens that's good for portrait, 55-300mm is for convenience.
I have five prime and six zoom, all of them are full frame but one, and six of them are MF. I use each one with special purpose.

twillsol Loc: St. Louis, MO

clive hall wrote:

i would like to know how much is too much, or too little. i have it in mind to buy two other lens to go along with the 55mm lens that i already have with my camera. i am thinking of buying a 85mm, and a 55- 300mm telephoto zoom lens. would this be too much, or would either one of the two be good enough to go with what i already have.

If you have a lens that you never use and never will use, then you have one too many lenses.

If you wish you had another lens for a specific purpose, then you have one too few lenses.

I have seven lenses and use them all, some more than others, but I do use them all depending upon what I am trying to photograph.

Festus Loc: North Dakota

clive hall wrote:

i would like to know how much is too much, or too little. i have it in mind to buy two other lens to go along with the 55mm lens that i already have with my camera. i am thinking of buying a 85mm, and a 55- 300mm telephoto zoom lens. would this be too much, or would either one of the two be good enough to go with what i already have.

I have 19 Nikkor lenses. Granted there may be some overlap with a few, but they each serve their own needs. There is quite a bit of difference between a 24mm tilt-shift, 105mm micro, and a 400mm telephoto lens.