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Survey: Your lens collection

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Stopping down is not always enough, and when that happens, software cannot bring back the out-of-focus objects. While tilting can let you selectively align objects of interest, with or without stopping down, it can sometimes give you a false sense of dimension depending on the objects - making your picture kind of "flat" when it is not, for example.

Of course, either way has its own advantages and limitation.
Mark Kaepplein said:
Al Goldis said:
Guy Rehorst said:
GR
Steve Farmer said:
Someday I will get some fast prime lenses for shooting in low
available light and probably a Canon 24mm Tilt/Shift.
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50 1.4 ( great lens)
28-70 2.8L
70-200 2.8L
20mm 2.8 (the 17-35 is good but soft at some stops)
85 1.8
100 2.8 macro
JCDoss said:
Group,

I would like to pose a survey which may benefit would-be buyers or
the interested public...

How many lenses do you have in your collection, and what are they?
How do you carry your lenses? Do some routinely get left behind?
How many lenses would you consider "too many" for an amateur
(defined as one who doesn't make a living off their photos).

I'm asking because my wish list is ridiculously huge. I would
start the survey by answering my own questions, but I'm waiting to
buy my D30 on tax day. Therefore, I don't have anything right now.
I will tell you which lenses I'm planning on starting with,
though...

Canon 28-135 IS
Canon 50/1.8
Canon 100-300/5.6 L

The results should be interesting!

Thanks,
JCDoss
Click to expand...
 
Have a look:


daniel reznick said:
my understanding is that to change perspective (the relationship
between the objects, etc, in the image) you need to change
position, with any lens, prime or zoom.

i'd love some clarification from those who know more than me, which
is many of you.
Member said:
This is a very hard question. I strongly recommend buying only 1
lens at a time as a beginner and to concentrate on prime lenses. If
you buy a zoom use it at first at ONLY individual zoom settings to
learn what a particular focal length can do (perspective, depth of
field etc) zooms do more than just frame.. they change perspective.
Digital is a great way to shorten the learning curve since you can
see the results immediately

I have been an advanced amateur/semi pro for years and I don't know
what to take sometimes. best advice is start with the basics to
enjoy and learn to use these tools. hope this helps.

Ed
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What my collection used to be:

EF 20-35mm f/2.8L AFD*
EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM
EF 50mm f/1.0L USM**
EF 28-70mm f/2.8L USM
EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro*
EF 80-200mm f/2.8L AFD*
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
EF 300mm f/2.8L USM**
EF Extender 2X*

Sold - used to maintain two sets of cameras - only one set now, hence no longer need to have the older versions around but the USM Macro lens is something I have always wanted so the old can go once the new one is readily available. No reason to hang onto the older EF 2x after having the newer version added into the collection.

Fellow shooters who borrowed these items lost them through carelessness after dismounting (to change to other lenses), left them on the spot of their respective assignments and went home, totally forgotten about the lenses. > Sigh

It is now consisting of the following:

EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM
EF 28-70mm f/2.8L USM
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM (replacement for the f/1.0L version)
EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM
EF Extender 2X II

Planning to add:

EF 15mm f/2.8 USM Fisheye (should be announced anytime in 2002)
TS 24mm f/3.5L Tilt & Shift
TS 90mm f/2.8 Tilt & Shift

EF 50-200mm f/2.8L USM (IS or no IS, doesn't matter to me) - should be announced together with the pro digital SLR camera ... or further delayed to next year as well (the lens, not digicam). :-)

Kai Pin
 
Kai Pin said:
EF 15mm f/2.8 USM Fisheye (should be announced anytime in 2002)
EF 50-200mm f/2.8L USM (IS or no IS, doesn't matter to me) - should
be announced together with the pro digital SLR camera ...
Click to expand...
Care to elaborate on these two? Were you implying that the 50-200L will be available in IS and non-IS versions? Care to divulge any information on additional to-be-announced lenses in the works?

JCDoss
 
My Lens collection is as follows:

Sigma 17-35/2.8 EX
Sigma 28-70/2.8 EX
Canon 28-135IS
Canon 100-400L

Depending on where I am going and for how long I have 2 Lower Pro bags, one being a snoot bag which is just big enough for a body and lens, ex550 and another lens. This is fine for short trips and/or light traveling.

For longer trips and/or where I dont need to travel light I have an all weather bag that I can fit the whole kit in.

As far as lenses go I really haven't had the chance to use the 17-35 yet

The 28-70 although bulkier, heavier and noisier that the 28-135IS is still the most used. The 100-400L is my favourite by far but my GF seems to think that it has something to do with "penile insecurities" ;-) whatever that means.

Future purchases planned include:

Canon 100/f2.8 macro
Canon 50/1.4

Some sort of small portable storage device like a digital wallet or a nixvue as even a 1GIG microdrive fills up pretty quick shooting in RAW mode. Mainly because I am the type of person who likes to take the same shot 2 or 3 times at 2 or 3 different settings just because I can :) Heck I have taken more shots in 3 months with the D30 than I did in 3 years with my film based cameras.

One last thing..... no matter where I go I am sure to carry my Canon ElphII APS in my pocket
JCDoss said:
Group,

I would like to pose a survey which may benefit would-be buyers or
the interested public...

How many lenses do you have in your collection, and what are they?
How do you carry your lenses? Do some routinely get left behind?
How many lenses would you consider "too many" for an amateur
(defined as one who doesn't make a living off their photos).

I'm asking because my wish list is ridiculously huge. I would
start the survey by answering my own questions, but I'm waiting to
buy my D30 on tax day. Therefore, I don't have anything right now.
I will tell you which lenses I'm planning on starting with,
though...

Canon 28-135 IS
Canon 50/1.8
Canon 100-300/5.6 L

The results should be interesting!

Thanks,
JCDoss
Click to expand...
 
JCDoss said:
Kai Pin said:
EF 15mm f/2.8 USM Fisheye (should be announced anytime in 2002)
EF 50-200mm f/2.8L USM (IS or no IS, doesn't matter to me) - should
be announced together with the pro digital SLR camera ...
Click to expand...
Care to elaborate on these two? Were you implying that the 50-200L
will be available in IS and non-IS versions? Care to divulge any
information on additional to-be-announced lenses in the works?
Click to expand...
What he probably implied was it doesn't matter if the upcoming EF 50-200L comes with the IS function or not at all, as he would still buy one. :-)

I don't think he can reveal further informations about upcoming lenses as he hasn't actually seen any yet, other than a "confirmation" from the chief of the photo products division in Japan who did not deny the existence of such lenses. The confirmation goes something like this: "Canon has taken notes of your (Kai's) wish list for EF lenses during the launch of the EOS-3 in Sept '98 and some of them have already been realized ..."

Philip Chong
 
I have been shooting film camera for 14 years starting since 1987 and have accumulated quite a number of lenses: 17-35 2.8 L, 28-70 2.8 L, 135 f 2 L, 70-200 2.8 L, 300 f 4 L IS, 50 1.8 II, 85 1.8, 100 2.8 macro, 28-135 IS, 35-135 3.5-4.5 AFD, 75-300 IS and 28-300 3.5-6.3 Tamron. Nowadays with the D30, I mostly use the 17-35 L, 50 1.8 and the Tamron 28-300. I am slowly taking out other lenses to use with the D30 since I only got it for a month. I also have EOS 3 and Elan II E as film cameras. I work in a bank hence this kind of investment may be considered excessive for an amateur. I would like to try the new Sigma lenses designed for digital camera i.e. the 20 1.8 and 24 1.8 but I think I should sell some of the ones I have first.
Daniel Lauring said:
Canon 50mm F1.8. (fantastic picture quality. nice speed.
throw-away quality. weak macro. incredibly inexpensive.)

Tamron 90mm macro. (fantastic picture quality. slow as a dog
focus. excellent quality.)

Sigma 28-70mm F2.8. (fantastic picture quality. decent focus
speed. quality package. ergonomics of focus and zoom could be
improved. great macro for this type of lens. an incredible
bargain. At the price I considered buying a second one to have a
spare.)

Canon 28-135mm IS (fantastic picture quality. 5X zoom range.
Fast focus with full time manual control. a bargain among Canon's
lenses.)

Canon 75-300mm IS (mediocre picture quality past 200mm. slow
focus. rotating front element. creepy zoom. you get what you pay
for.)

Canon 70-200mm F2.8 (fantastic picture quality. Fast focus with
full time manual control. A beast to carry and pay for.)

Canon 300mm IS F4 (fantastic image quality. Fast focus and full
time manual control. Serious size and cost but reasonable for an
IS lens.)

Lenses I am interested in.

Canon 100mm macro USM: This is so much faster at focussing than my
Tamron that I am very tempted by it.

Canon 100-400mm IS: I like the range and concept but am concerned
whether the lack of speed might limit its usefulness vs. $1500 cost.

Sigma 14mm rectilinear wa: To overcome the focal length factor.
Might not be used enough to justify the purchase.

Indoors the Sigma 28-70mm is my most used all-around lens.
Outdoors, in brighter conditions I turn to the Canon 28-135mm IS.

Danny
JCDoss said:
Group,

I would like to pose a survey which may benefit would-be buyers or
the interested public...

How many lenses do you have in your collection, and what are they?
How do you carry your lenses? Do some routinely get left behind?
How many lenses would you consider "too many" for an amateur
(defined as one who doesn't make a living off their photos).

I'm asking because my wish list is ridiculously huge. I would
start the survey by answering my own questions, but I'm waiting to
buy my D30 on tax day. Therefore, I don't have anything right now.
I will tell you which lenses I'm planning on starting with,
though...

Canon 28-135 IS
Canon 50/1.8
Canon 100-300/5.6 L

The results should be interesting!

Thanks,
JCDoss
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
With all those great L lenses, why is the Tamron 28-300 one of your most used lenses on the D30? I thought those super zooms were terribly soft. And it wouldn't even AF on the D30 at 300mm, would it?

...I'll have your 28-70 L & 70-200 L, if you don't want them ;-)
Pui said:
Daniel Lauring said:
Canon 50mm F1.8. (fantastic picture quality. nice speed.
throw-away quality. weak macro. incredibly inexpensive.)

Tamron 90mm macro. (fantastic picture quality. slow as a dog
focus. excellent quality.)

Sigma 28-70mm F2.8. (fantastic picture quality. decent focus
speed. quality package. ergonomics of focus and zoom could be
improved. great macro for this type of lens. an incredible
bargain. At the price I considered buying a second one to have a
spare.)

Canon 28-135mm IS (fantastic picture quality. 5X zoom range.
Fast focus with full time manual control. a bargain among Canon's
lenses.)

Canon 75-300mm IS (mediocre picture quality past 200mm. slow
focus. rotating front element. creepy zoom. you get what you pay
for.)

Canon 70-200mm F2.8 (fantastic picture quality. Fast focus with
full time manual control. A beast to carry and pay for.)

Canon 300mm IS F4 (fantastic image quality. Fast focus and full
time manual control. Serious size and cost but reasonable for an
IS lens.)

Lenses I am interested in.

Canon 100mm macro USM: This is so much faster at focussing than my
Tamron that I am very tempted by it.

Canon 100-400mm IS: I like the range and concept but am concerned
whether the lack of speed might limit its usefulness vs. $1500 cost.

Sigma 14mm rectilinear wa: To overcome the focal length factor.
Might not be used enough to justify the purchase.

Indoors the Sigma 28-70mm is my most used all-around lens.
Outdoors, in brighter conditions I turn to the Canon 28-135mm IS.

Danny
JCDoss said:
Group,

I would like to pose a survey which may benefit would-be buyers or
the interested public...

How many lenses do you have in your collection, and what are they?
How do you carry your lenses? Do some routinely get left behind?
How many lenses would you consider "too many" for an amateur
(defined as one who doesn't make a living off their photos).

I'm asking because my wish list is ridiculously huge. I would
start the survey by answering my own questions, but I'm waiting to
buy my D30 on tax day. Therefore, I don't have anything right now.
I will tell you which lenses I'm planning on starting with,
though...

Canon 28-135 IS
Canon 50/1.8
Canon 100-300/5.6 L

The results should be interesting!

Thanks,
JCDoss
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I know it doesn't sound logical with the Tamron being used more often. Well, I guess it is lightweight compared to the L and being an all in one lens. Optically, I find it quite acceptable but of course not the sharpest one. It has a very extensive focal length coverage which I find convenient to take with in a hurry + when wanting to travel light. Nevertheless, I might sell it to buy one of the Sigma lens I mention below. Now that I have the D30, I will definitely try out the other lenses that I hardly use during the film days. Even though I dont use these lenses much, I enjoy owning them. If I have more time, I will definitely use them more often. By the way, the 28-300 Tamron does AF at F 6.3 but I can't explain how as it is supposed to AF upto 5.6 only. It works with my Elan II E, EOS 3 and D30 at 300 mm. Pui.
md said:
...I'll have your 28-70 L & 70-200 L, if you don't want them ;-)
Pui said:
Daniel Lauring said:
Canon 50mm F1.8. (fantastic picture quality. nice speed.
throw-away quality. weak macro. incredibly inexpensive.)

Tamron 90mm macro. (fantastic picture quality. slow as a dog
focus. excellent quality.)

Sigma 28-70mm F2.8. (fantastic picture quality. decent focus
speed. quality package. ergonomics of focus and zoom could be
improved. great macro for this type of lens. an incredible
bargain. At the price I considered buying a second one to have a
spare.)

Canon 28-135mm IS (fantastic picture quality. 5X zoom range.
Fast focus with full time manual control. a bargain among Canon's
lenses.)

Canon 75-300mm IS (mediocre picture quality past 200mm. slow
focus. rotating front element. creepy zoom. you get what you pay
for.)

Canon 70-200mm F2.8 (fantastic picture quality. Fast focus with
full time manual control. A beast to carry and pay for.)

Canon 300mm IS F4 (fantastic image quality. Fast focus and full
time manual control. Serious size and cost but reasonable for an
IS lens.)

Lenses I am interested in.

Canon 100mm macro USM: This is so much faster at focussing than my
Tamron that I am very tempted by it.

Canon 100-400mm IS: I like the range and concept but am concerned
whether the lack of speed might limit its usefulness vs. $1500 cost.

Sigma 14mm rectilinear wa: To overcome the focal length factor.
Might not be used enough to justify the purchase.

Indoors the Sigma 28-70mm is my most used all-around lens.
Outdoors, in brighter conditions I turn to the Canon 28-135mm IS.

Danny
JCDoss said:
Group,

I would like to pose a survey which may benefit would-be buyers or
the interested public...

How many lenses do you have in your collection, and what are they?
How do you carry your lenses? Do some routinely get left behind?
How many lenses would you consider "too many" for an amateur
(defined as one who doesn't make a living off their photos).

I'm asking because my wish list is ridiculously huge. I would
start the survey by answering my own questions, but I'm waiting to
buy my D30 on tax day. Therefore, I don't have anything right now.
I will tell you which lenses I'm planning on starting with,
though...

Canon 28-135 IS
Canon 50/1.8
Canon 100-300/5.6 L

The results should be interesting!

Thanks,
JCDoss
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
JCDoss said:
How many lenses do you have in your collection, and what are they?
How do you carry your lenses? Do some routinely get left behind?
How many lenses would you consider "too many" for an amateur
(defined as one who doesn't make a living off their photos).
Click to expand...
Greetings,

I'm an amatuer, but a fairly serious one. I've used Canon for over 20 years and currently have the D30 along with Rebel 2000 bodies. My lenses are Canon 75-300 USM, Canon 35-80 USM, and Canon 22-55 USM.

I've only had the D30 for about 3 weeks, so I don't have a 'typical' routine with it. Previously I've been know to leave behind the 35-80 lens on occassion, but many times carry all 3 with me.

I'm looking to expand my lens collection now that I have the D30. Maybe the 28-135 IS? Anyway, I'll closely follow the results of this survey!

Deborah
 
EF 24/2.8
EF 50/1.4 USM

That's all.

Tried the 28-135/4.5-5.6 IS, but returned it. I'm probably in the minority, but I didn't care for it at all.

I've tried out the 85/1.8, 100/2.0 and 135/2.0, and I'm ready to buy one, but having a difficult time deciding.

I use both lenses equally, although I like the 50/1.4 more. I like traveling REAL light, so I have a LowePro TLZ Mini that fits my D30, one attached lens, spare battery and CF card. It's so small, I take it with me everywhere.

I also have a Tamrac Explorer 2 bag that holds my D30, 50mm, 24mm, a 420ex, and room for 2 more small lenses. I don't carry it unless I'm traveling away from home or when I'm shooting on a job.

David
 
David H. said:
EF 24/2.8
EF 50/1.4 USM

That's all.
Click to expand...
don't worry about it. i get the impression that some ppl like to show off. when i first started with EOS (many yrs ago) i only had 1 lens. stayed that way for about 5yrs. for the last 4yrs i had 2 lenses. only in the last 4 months have i added the final two. all have a use
 
Here are my lens collection

Sigma 14/2.8 HSM
Tokina 24-200

Canon 20/2.8,28/1.8,50/1.4,100/2.8 Macro USM,300 F4L IS USM,28-70 F3.5/4.5,70-200 F4L,1.4X

 
Canon 17-35mm f/2.8 L
Canon 24-85mm
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L
Canon 100-400mm L IS

I plan on getting the fast 50mm f/1.4 in the near future.

I currently use a Lowepro Photo Trekker Classic to carry my gear. Everything fits inside it. I carry all the lenses with me whenever I shoot. I'd say 3 lenses would be a good amount for an an amateur... (fast prime, long zoom, and a multi-purpose zoom)
 
Since I am a Pro you're going to be surprised at what I use all the time ....as Commercial Photog I have done with over the last 10 years with this combo

a 20-35L
a 35-135

Since I have aquired the D30 I'm toying with the idea of adding the Sigma 14mm as I do a fair amount of Interior/Archtectural Photography

But I have been holding out on the hope of Canon releasing a full sized chip camera..if that happens then instead of the Sigma 14 ....I will toy with getting something Longer...I have been looking at a short Mirror lens perhaps...Why??? so I can take pics of my Grandson playing Soccer and shooting Flower shots to obtain a really shallow depth of view...this is a hobby of mine and may lead to doing some art printing...maybe!!

Anyway that's my 2 lens worth :)

Jon J. Both (Edgeman)
JCDoss said:
Group,

I would like to pose a survey which may benefit would-be buyers or
the interested public...

How many lenses do you have in your collection, and what are they?
How do you carry your lenses? Do some routinely get left behind?
How many lenses would you consider "too many" for an amateur
(defined as one who doesn't make a living off their photos).

I'm asking because my wish list is ridiculously huge. I would
start the survey by answering my own questions, but I'm waiting to
buy my D30 on tax day. Therefore, I don't have anything right now.
I will tell you which lenses I'm planning on starting with,
though...

Canon 28-135 IS
Canon 50/1.8
Canon 100-300/5.6 L

The results should be interesting!

Thanks,
JCDoss
Click to expand...
 
Greetings from England.

I'm a bit of a Techno geek I suppose, as I have just purchased a D30.

I am currently looking a the Billingham range of bags as I tend to take everything with me! :-) I am only an amature although i have done one or two weddings (Just cause I have the right equipment - but they were happy with the results.)

Bag = need one to carry the following.

EOS D30 SLR
EOS 5 SLR (A2)
Canon G1
Girlfriends 300 (rebel 2000)

Lenses
Cosigna 19-35
Canon USM 28-80 F3.5
Canon USM 75-300 F3.5
Sigma 170-500 F5.6

Flash Guns
Canon 380EX
Canon 550EX
+ Film, CF Cards, Batteries etc.

to be honest the lenses I use the most are the Canon USM. they have a good range, together with Canon Optics. and pretty much cover everything I need. but the 500 is nice. (on the D30 the 500 becomes a 800 due to the lens multiplyier :-) so I dont think I'll be purchasing any more, although exchangeing for L series lenses would be nice.

PS hmmm, a prime 50mm USM lens would be good.

If anyone has any comments on whether this kit is excessive I would be interetesd to here.

Kind regards

Neil
 
Canon 50 f/1.4
Canon 17-35 f/2.8 L (ordered)
JCDoss said:
Group,

I would like to pose a survey which may benefit would-be buyers or
the interested public...

How many lenses do you have in your collection, and what are they?
How do you carry your lenses? Do some routinely get left behind?
How many lenses would you consider "too many" for an amateur
(defined as one who doesn't make a living off their photos).

I'm asking because my wish list is ridiculously huge. I would
start the survey by answering my own questions, but I'm waiting to
buy my D30 on tax day. Therefore, I don't have anything right now.
I will tell you which lenses I'm planning on starting with,
though...

Canon 28-135 IS
Canon 50/1.8
Canon 100-300/5.6 L

The results should be interesting!

Thanks,
JCDoss
Click to expand...
 
Lens update: I just purchased the 70-200/f4L zoom lens. I'm still considering either the 85/f1.8 or 100/f2.
David H. said:
EF 24/2.8
EF 50/1.4 USM

That's all.

Tried the 28-135/4.5-5.6 IS, but returned it. I'm probably in the
minority, but I didn't care for it at all.

I've tried out the 85/1.8, 100/2.0 and 135/2.0, and I'm ready to
buy one, but having a difficult time deciding.

I use both lenses equally, although I like the 50/1.4 more. I like
traveling REAL light, so I have a LowePro TLZ Mini that fits my
D30, one attached lens, spare battery and CF card. It's so small,
I take it with me everywhere.

I also have a Tamrac Explorer 2 bag that holds my D30, 50mm, 24mm,
a 420ex, and room for 2 more small lenses. I don't carry it unless
I'm traveling away from home or when I'm shooting on a job.

David
Click to expand...
 
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