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How Many Lenses Are Really Needed?
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Mar 13, 2019 20:51:44   #
Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.
 
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?

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Mar 13, 2019 20:57:38   #
davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel
 
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?


Why do you ask a question such as this?

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Mar 13, 2019 20:57:40   #
Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida
 
Good question.
I have many lenses, some of which I seldom use.
Still, I am glad I own them, and will buy more.

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Mar 13, 2019 21:05:13   #
BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten
 
Well for a non-pro enthusiast like me, none are needed, but many are wanted.
It’s my hobby and I’m a bit of a gear head so I just buy what I want (and can afford, without threats from the CFO).

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Mar 13, 2019 21:08:07   #
Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.
 
davidrb wrote:
Why do you ask a question such as this?


I have a number of lenses, but use my 50mm and 300mm (with a 1.4 TC) almost exclusively. I was wondering what others thought.

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Mar 13, 2019 21:15:28   #
Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida
 
BassmanBruce wrote:
Well for a non-pro enthusiast like me, none are needed, but many are wanted.
It’s my hobby and I’m a bit of a gear head so I just buy what I want (and can afford, without threats from the CFO).


One could do worse than be a collector of good lenses.

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Mar 13, 2019 21:15:29   #
Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV
 
I would guess what ever you use on a crop camera the same would be needed for a FF camera unless you change your photography interest.

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Mar 13, 2019 21:15:31   #
treadwl Loc: South Florida
 
Different lenses have different purposes. Thus a MACRO "may" be a lens worth having if you enjoy doing that sort of shot.

That said, I have my beloved 24-70mm F2.8 which gives me wide angle and covers what is often considered a standard lens. Then I have my 70-200 f2.8 which extends my reach to a mid-range telephoto lens. Both of the are fast lenses so they allow me to work at shallow depth of field and in low light. Then because I want to shoot wildlife I have a 200-400 f4 lens and a f1.4 teleconverter that reaches to 550mm. So in those three lenses i reach from 24-550mm. I do not need any other lenses. The key is to b uy what you need to capture the images you want.

That is my 2 cents worth.

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Mar 13, 2019 21:17:52   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
I had six for my two film cameras.
Now I just use an 18-200 and a 50ƒ1.4.

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Mar 13, 2019 21:18:02   #
chase4 Loc: Punta Corona, California
 
Kmgw9v wrote:
One could do worse than be a collector of good lenses.


Yep, Ex-wives could be more expensive and lest functional. chase

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Mar 13, 2019 21:18:44   #
BebuLamar
 
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?


One lens. Without a lens you can't take picture.

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Mar 13, 2019 21:19:59   #
Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.
 
This is a pretty tough one to answer. The only person that could answer that would be you. No one here knows your preference. Do you shoot landscapes? Birds in flight? Sports events... during the day, at night or in a gym? Micro and macro shots? Portraits? And on and on and on. I suggest that you use what you have. If at some point you realize that you'd be better off with a different lens. So then you go out and rent one. Do you like it? Does it meet your needs? You can get great deals on used lenses. Have one that you seldom use? Sell it. UHH classifieds are a great place to do both/either. I've got a half dozen great FF lenses for my D610. The one I use most of the time is my 28-300.

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Mar 13, 2019 21:21:43   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
davidrb wrote:
Why do you ask a question such as this?

I think it's a very valid question.

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Mar 13, 2019 21:24:37   #
Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.
 
Ava'sPapa wrote:
This is a pretty tough one to answer. The only person that could answer that would be you. No one here knows your preference. Do you shoot landscapes? Birds in flight? Sports events... during the day, at night or in a gym? Micro and macro shots? Portraits? And on and on and on. I suggest that you use what you have. If at some point you realize that you'd be better off with a different lens. So then you go out and rent one. Do you like it? Does it meet your needs? You can get great deals on used lenses. Have one that you seldom use? Sell it. UHH classifieds are a great place to do both/either. I've got a half dozen great FF lenses for my D610. The one I use most of the time is my 28-300.
This is a pretty tough one to answer. The only per... (show quote)


I'm not asking what lens I should buy, I own a number of lenses. My question was more philosophical.

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Mar 13, 2019 21:26:10   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
Mac wrote:
I'm not asking what lens I should buy, I own a number of lenses. My question was more philosophical.


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