What lenses do you own?

[scooby snacks]

To all the SLR users here, I'd be interested to know what lenses you own and which get the most use and for what purpose. I plan on increasing my huge collection of 2 lenses:lol: and any information would be very appreciated.

I currently have a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 and a Canon EF 70-200mm F4 L. I love the Canon but I'm not sure about the Tamron. After taking quite a few pics, it appears to be a bit soft at every aperture I've tried 2.8-11. I'm not sure if its me being overly picky but I'm seriously tempted to return it.

A Canon 50mm 1.4 is a definite purchase but I'm hoping any info here will suggest some other possible purchases.
Cheers.

[Sprout Crumble]

The Tamron is prone to a little variation between copies. If its a new purchase, take it back and exchange it for another. keep doing that until you're happy. Its a capable lens, if a little clunky compared to the, admittedly more expensive, Canon version.

Also check out the Sigma 50/1.4. I'd try that over the Canon.

[Woz]

For my DSLR (400D) I just use the kit lens, a 28mm F1.8, a 50mm F1.4 and an 85mm F1.8.
I love all the primes! The 85mm is probably the best of them, although if I run Exposureplot it tells me that I use the 28mm the most.

Oh, I also have a 100-200 Canon that's rarely on the camera. It's generally a badly reviewed lens (it's VERY old) but mine's actually very sharp.

[DeadYankee]

I have 3 canon lenses:

24mm 1.4
50mm 1.4
200mm 2.8

and a 2x converter.

All purchased with a move to full frame and shooting gigs and other low light situations in mind

[simonmac]

Two, thats just greedy. I've still only got the kit lens :lol:

[scooby snacks]

Woz & DY: A nice set of primes you both have. I was actually considering primes before I posted so your replies are very useful. The 70-200mm is a definite keeper but I think I'll get a refund on the Tamron and get an EF50mm 1.4. The 50mm would (I think) be fine for full frame, whereas the Tamron isn't. Add a wider prime at a later date.

[Sam]

Tamron 28-75mm f2.8
Sigma 80-400mm OS
Canon 10-20mm
Canon 100mm macro
Canon 50mm f1.8

[scooby snacks]

Two, thats just greedy. I've still only got the kit lens :lol:

:lol::thumbs:

[spearce8]

I've only got the Canon 70-200mm 2.8 :|

I keep meaning to add, just don't get round to it, perhaps when Spring/Summer gets here, I might even use the Camera then (40d) just sits in my bag :cuckoo:

[Woz]

Woz & DY: A nice set of primes you both have. I was actually considering primes before I posted so your replies are very useful. The 70-200mm is a definite keeper but I think I'll get a refund on the Tamron and get an EF50mm 1.4. The 50mm would (I think) be fine for full frame, whereas the Tamron isn't. Add a wider prime at a later date.

When you buy a prime you need to consider what you're going to use it for far more than when you buy a zoom in my opinion.
If you get one that's not quite right for your favoured focal length it won't get used.
I'd suggest you download Exposureplot and have a look to see what focal length you actually favour (rather than what you think you favour!) before buying anything.

'course, that said. I just went and bought the 50mm as my first prime and didn't even consider anything else at the time!
Like DY, I've always bought with the eye on maybe going FF one day if I can afford it. Hence why I went for the 28mm Canon rather than the generally preferred 30mm f1.4 Sigma (I think it's a Sigma isn't it?)

[raymondlin]

A year or so ago i had

50 1.8
Tamron 17-50 2.8
18-55 3.5-5.6 kit lens
28-105 3.5-4.6 MKII

Wayyyy too many focal length over lap, and average lenses, and decided to start from scratch. So i sold them all, and currently have:

50mm 1.4
16-36 L 2.8

saving up for

24-70 2.8
70-200 2.8 IS

Then that'll be the main kit finished, everything else is a bonus.

[scooby snacks]

50mm 1.4
16-36 L 2.8



Very nice:thumbs: I've got the cheapest L (70-200 non-IS) and it really is fantastic so I'm betting the 16-36 is a cracker.

[scooby snacks]

When you buy a prime you need to consider what you're going to use it for far more than when you buy a zoom in my opinion.
If you get one that's not quite right for your favoured focal length it won't get used.
I'd suggest you download Exposureplot and have a look to see what focal length you actually favour (rather than what you think you favour!) before buying anything.

'course, that said. I just went and bought the 50mm as my first prime and didn't even consider anything else at the time!
Like DY, I've always bought with the eye on maybe going FF one day if I can afford it. Hence why I went for the 28mm Canon rather than the generally preferred 30mm f1.4 Sigma (I think it's a Sigma isn't it?)

Agreed, primes do need more consideration but, for me, the 50mm is a no brainer. I used to have the 1.8 and used it a lot. On the 400D, I found it was great for portraits and all the things I needed at the time. I'm really, really not into using flash (even a nice bounced flash) unless its completely necessary, so the 1.4 should be a good choice.

Unfortunately, exposure plot is windows only (I'm a mac user). The majority of my photos on my laptop at the moment are 50mm-150mm. Theres a few at wider angles like 20mm from when I had a 10-20mm but only about 5% of my pictures. So a wider angle lens might be needed at some point.

[RPG]

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
Sigma EX 10-20mm f/4-5.6
Tamron 55-200

Dying for something new! Prolly going to grab the new Lensbaby when it's finally released, also quite fancy a 100mm macro lens soonish.

[Fozzybear]

I've got:

Nikon 18-70mm (general use)
Sigma 10-20mm (landscapes, interiors)
Tamron 90mm macro (...well, for macro, of course)
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 (not used much, but occasional 'general' use on my F80 film camera)
Nikon 70-300mm VR (everyday walkabout wildlife lens)
Nikon 300mm f/4 prime (garden wildlife, moon photography)
Centon 500mm mirror (pretty much never used, old lens left over from my film days)

I also have some lenses for my old Chinon film camera - the 28mm, 50mm and 35-70mm. Mostly just use the 28 and 50mm... but haven't used that camera since last summer and still haven't finished scanning the few films I shot!

[PaulDCocker]

I have too many and some I certainly keep promising to sell as I just don't use them.

Canon EF 17-40 f/4L
Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8 L - my daily use lens, it's great though doesn't have the reach I would like on a 5D
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 - Good lens never use it.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 - Doesn't work on FF Cameras
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 - One of my best early buys.

I also have a Cheap Canon 70-300 and a Sigma 55-200 - though my next lens will be a 70-200 2.8 IS and replace the two above.

[Woz]

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 - Doesn't work on FF Cameras


:thinking:
It must be broken then!

It was around before crop cameras were even invented :D

[barrynorton]

I have the two kit lenses that came with my Sony Alpha (18-70mm and the 75-300mm)
I have also just added the Carl Zeiss 16-80mm, which is so much better then the 18-70.

[Radiohead]

Nikkor 14-24/2.8 AF-S
Nikkor 24-70/2.8 AF-S
Nikkor 70-200/2.8 VR AF-S

Nikkor 35/2 AF-D
Nikkor 50/1.4 AF-S
Nikkor 85/1.4 AF-D
Micro-Nikkor 105/2.8 VR AF-S

With a Sigma 50/1.4 on the way to see if it's as good as people are telling me.

[Taq]

Canon 70-200L f/4 - hardly ever use it now though since I got the...
Canon 70-200L f/2.8 IS - use about 90% of the time
Canon 50 f/1.8 - use about 1% of the time
Sigma 17-70 - use about 9% of the time

Looking at a 85mm f/1.8 at the moment

[mnementh]

Canon 24-105 f/4 L IS
Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L IS
Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS
Canon 100 f/2.8 Macro
Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6
Sigma 30mm f/1.4

Waiting for my Sigma 50mm f/1.4 to arrive, and seriously considering a 24-70 f/2.8 L (although I'd miss the IS of the 24-105)

One day an 85 f/1.2 will be mine

Will be selling the Sigma 30mm at some point soon as it doesn't work on the 5Dii

[GarethH]

Tamron 17-50mm f2.8
Tamron 90mm DiII Macro f2.9
Sigma 30mm f1.4
Sigma 10-20mm
Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS

[MKIKE]

Canon 10-22mm
Canon 17-40mm f4
Canon 24-105mm f4 is
Canon 70-200mm f2.8 is
Canon 50mm f1.8

The 24-105 is my everyday lens, and I always have the 70-200 with me. Used the 17-40 once, holding onto it for the day I go full frame and can't use the 10-22 anymore.
Also have a 28-135mm is, but that is on long term loan as I have no use for it

[ChrisBlack]

As per my sig. I hammer the 50mm 1.8 - its lubberly! Still use my kit lens quite often too (widest I have). Don't use the 55-200mm that much, possibly due the sort of shots I take.
The 60mm 2.8 micro is on my wish list, as is a 50mm 1.4, to replace my 1.8. Anyone got the 60mm micro - how does it rate as a macro lens??

[silverpenguin7]

I have some Nikons

50 1.4 AFS
28-70 2.8 AFS
70-200 VR
200-400 VR
600/4
1.4x TC

Use the last two mostly as I prefer wildlife but always enjpy sticking the others on as well when the occasion calls for it!

[raymondlin]

Very nice:thumbs: I've got the cheapest L (70-200 non-IS) and it really is fantastic so I'm betting the 16-36 is a cracker.

It is really nice and for me a really useful focal length. :thumbs:

[Brozyniak]

http://www.brozyniak.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/lenses.jpg

From Left to right

100-400 F4.5-5.6 L Great for wildlife, in decent light. Does the job for airshows and stalking too
24-70 f2.8 L General all round lens, gets used less and less now that I have primes and a FF camera
16-35 F2.8 L This was suberb on my 20D for landscapes, on my 5D II it's nice and wide for buildings interiors etc. buts get used less. Lovely and sharp (better than the 24-70)
85 f1.2 L Awesome lens. Fantastic. If I could use it for everything then I would. On a FF camera it gets so much more use than just portraits. This lens is sooo sharp and fast. Did I say that I love it?
50m 1.2 L I bought this recently to replace my 24-70 after I was so blown away by moving on to primes. Not sure if it does replace it. Time will tell.
Sigma 10-20. Really great on a crop format for buildings etc. Can't use it properly in FF. Gonna sell when I get round to it.

I have some Nikons

600/4



Now there's a beast! If I ever go back to Africa for a safari I'm investing in something like that.

[ArthurDent]

Just these so far:

Canon 50 1.8
Canon 18-55 IS
Canon 55-250 IS

[spearce8]

Was just browsing Onestop and noticed the 70-200 I purchased for £629 last Summer is now £829 :eek:

[Sprout Crumble]

Shocking how prices have risen. I reckon they'll be long time coming back down as well, unless the Japanese government does something about the strength of the Yen.

[RobDickinson]

Like what? There at 0.05% base rate or so, there eccomonmy is fairly flat... The issue is the UK is financialy gutted. Buy used from those who dont realise whats happened to new prices...

[Sprout Crumble]

The Yen is also high against the Euro and the Dollar. Thats why prices are rising all over.
Japan is a major exporter and its companies are all hurting very badly (Pioneer and Panasonic losing billions. Layoffs in a country where jobs used to be for life, etc).

I believe they've devalued before.

[Gizmo]

I have a fairly modest collection:

Pentax SMC 16-45mm f4 ED SMC (sharp and bright - good step up from the 18-55 kit lens)
Pentax A 50mm f2 SMC - I love this lens, think I am going to add more primes
Pentax A 28 -80mm f3.5 - 4.5 SMC
Pentax A 70 - 200mm f4 SMC (rarely used. I don't seem to shoot long much).

I am really lusting after a Sigma 10-20mm, a lensbaby and a decent macro (tried extension tubes but they are a right royal pain to use).

If I was rich I'd add some of the lovely pancake lenses too!

[Sprout Crumble]

Good primes are so much nicer than zooms IMO. Much prefer mine.

[Woz]

Here's what I have for my OM gear:

Zuiko 24mm F2.8 (fantastic lens, complete with original hood and case)
Zuiko 50mm F1.8 (I have several of these)
Zuiko 55mm F1.2 (with the polished silver front. And a spot of fungus :( )
Zuiko 135mm F3.5 (Again, I've got several of them)
Sun 135mm F2.8 (Can only be used wide open because the blades are sluggish, but then if I want to stop down I can just use one of the Zuikos :D )

[Vulcan101]

I love primes, in my gadget bag I've got :

Sigma 30mm f1.4
Canon 24mm f2.8
Canon 50mm f1.8
Canon 60mm f2.8

I also have

Sigma 10-20mm f.4.5-5.6
Sigma 70-200mm Macro f2.8
Sigma x1.4 TC

The Canon 24mm looks a bit of an odd choice as it is quite close to the Sigma 30mm on a crop. However I bought a cheap Eos 5 film body and wanted something wider than a 50 for it. I do keep thinking of picking up a zoom in the up to 70mm f2.8 range as a walk around but I can't persuade myself to spend the cash at the moment.

I still have the kit lenses ie 18-55 and 55-200 but don't use them at all now.

[Brozyniak]

II am really lusting after a Sigma 10-20mm

Ahem!

[Sprout Crumble]

:D

Nice try, but he uses Pentax.

[Vulcan101]

Sigma do the 10-20 in Pentax mount (well according to their website they do anyway).

[Questor]

Nikon 18-55 (Kit lens)
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 (Probably my fave - so sharp)
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro
Lensbaby 2G (Great fun!)

The wife has a 55-200mm so between us we've got pretty much everything we really need at the minute.
I would like a Sigma 10-20mm though :)

[scooby snacks]

Any opinions on the Sigma 50 1.4 vs the Canon 50 1.4? I've read the Sigma is sharper at 1.4 so I'm edging towards that.

[RobDickinson]

Both have their faults I think, I'd prolly plumb for the sigma.

[scooby snacks]

Both have their faults I think, I'd prolly plumb for the sigma.

I did a bit more reading about the Siggy and every other post mentioned people were having front focussing problems. Even the review copy on dpreview suffered from the same problem. Shame, as I was going to order one:( Decided to get the Canon, which was an ordeal in itself as almost everywhere was out of stock.

[RobDickinson]

Yeah it seems to have issues, IMO canon need to update the f1.4 now anyhow.

[silverpenguin7]

Now there's a beast! If I ever go back to Africa for a safari I'm investing in something like that.
It's no pocket lens thats for sure lol

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c22/richardmpeters/lenses-lineup.jpg

For scale...1.4 TC, 70-200, 200-400 and 600 all lined up...:nuts:

[scooby snacks]

:eek: Bloody hell, thats a tad big! Whats the weight of that?

[silverpenguin7]

:eek: Bloody hell, thats a tad big! Whats the weight of that?
6kg...then you have to stick the almost 1.5kg of the camera...plus a tripod...lol! You really have to be dedicated to use one of these, although you get used to it very quickly indeed.

[scooby snacks]

6kg...then you have to stick the almost 1.5kg of the camera...plus a tripod...lol! You really have to be dedicated to use one of these, although you get used to it very quickly indeed.

I've been very impressed with your bird shots so lugging that weight around has definately been worth it:thumbs:

[Brozyniak]

I tell you what. I'll paint my walls if you iron your sheets ;)

[Tastydirt]

I used to have lots of lenses, but I managed to cut it down to:

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8
Nikon 18-55
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 (soon to be sold for the new 35mm f/1.8)
Nikon 55-200mm VR

Usually I keep the Tamron on my S5 and 55-200 on the D40, this makes quite a versatile and decent quality kit that covers 90% of what I want to shoot, while keeping the weight down to a minimum.

[silverpenguin7]

I've been very impressed with your bird shots so lugging that weight around has definately been worth it:thumbs:

Cheers :)

I tell you what. I'll paint my walls if you iron your sheets ;)


lol, I know. I just grabbed an old sheet and couldn't be bothered to iron it at the time for a quick lens shot lol