the right number of lens to have (Page 3): i agree. the old adage was to go 3 deep, and that is what i have always done. you never know when one or two will suddenly quit on you. as i...

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

SharpShooter wrote:

I have two of every lens made, just in case I want to use two bodies!
I ALWAYS have the right lens too!!
But I have to admit, my backpack weighs a TON, maybe even a little bit more!!!

SS

i agree. the old adage was to go 3 deep, and that is what i have always done. you never know when one or two will suddenly quit on you. as i use film and different formats, i chose what i want to take for a specific assignment - this is why God made volvo station wagons!

redlegfrog

We all always just the next lens purchase away from true happiness!

bbrowner Loc: Chapel Hill, NC

"It depends" is the stock answer... and the correct answer.

When I had my 35 prime and my zoom to 200 I found that I spent a lot of time and effort changing lenses. I still have the 35... but now I have a 16 - 300. No time lost changing lenses. And I have more versatility. I use it 99.6% of the time. For me... it is perfect. But you are not me and I am not you.

"It depends."

Barry

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

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 think you cover 10 to 200 mm range in combination like Nikon's trilogy, 14-24 (or 16-35), 24-70 and 70-200 and add a 1.4 TC. The 55-300 does not cover the range and just tries to do too much and none of it very well. If you are looking for the best output, let me put it this way, if you can tell good output, then it is the trilogy (via Nikon, Tamron or Sigma) is the way to go. If everything looks good to you, and you don't share or print your images, then the 55-300 works well. But then you will forever doubt, what if I had a better lens? When you have the best lens, you never curse or doubt your equipment. You have only to blame yourself.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

By now you should know that the selection of lenses is a very personal matter. Lenses are selected according to the needs of the photographer.
Not knowing the type of photography you usually make I would say that you are short in the wide angle arena and that if you plan to shoot sceneries a modest wide angle could be a good investment.
I wish I could give you better advise but you offer no meaningful information to help with the decision.

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

I shoot with Sony only and have 24-70 f2.8, 85 f1.4, and 70-200 f4. These are the lenses I use the most. I also have 28 f2.8, 55 f1.8, and 90 macro. All Sony lenses. The last three are my special use lenses and the 85 is for portraits. If someone said to me, "okay, you're going to shoot all sorts of venues but you can only have two lenses, what would they be?" I would have to tell them the 24-70 and the 70-200.

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

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.

The right number? For me it is just one more...

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Better to have & not use than to need & not have.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

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 am assuming you own a Nikon. When you say 55mm, I assume you meant 18-55mm? Regardless, I was going to recommend the Nikon 18-140mm. The 55-300 is a good choice, and the 35mm prime. If you own a Nikon, you can find some good deals on refurbished lenses at Nikon USA.

Jim 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.

Do you really expect a definitive answer to that inquiry? If I say the magic number is 15 and Barry says it's 10, how much assistance have you actually received?

billwassmann Loc: Emerson, NJ

Remember that the more lenses (lens is singular) you buy. the heavier the bag becomes. Don't weigh yourself down with more than you need.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

CaptainC wrote:

Twelve.

I laughed when I first saw this. Why 12 ? why not 11 or 13 ?

Floyd2 Loc: Littletown WI

Love the photo of the giant lens. I am going to the gym to work out so I can carry something like that.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

You can never have too many lenses! The answer depends upon what you like to shoot and whether or not you're getting paid. When I do a wedding, VERY rarely, I always make sure that I have at least two lenses that can cover each other. As a sports shooter, I normally carry one "big gun", a wide angle and ALWAYS a 70-200 (of which I have both the 2.8 and F4 versions). My rule-of-thumb is that, as I purchase new lenses, I get rid of those that I haven't used in two years, with rare exception. I am keeping my 20/2.8D and my 35/2D (the one with the oily aperture which renders t worthless but IDK cause I only use it wide open!).

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

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 over 20 lenses, but I never have enough! There are always (and always will be) more lenses that I want to have!!