What on earth? That’s blown my mind. Is that yours, or a google found meme photo? I can only guess it could be some type of macro setup?What happens if you use multiple lenses at at the same time?
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How many lenses cover 95% or more of your photography?
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Eddie Rizk
Senior Member
It's also interesting that, if you need more than 5, you probably need more than 8.
Poll results as of the time of this post on 30 Dec 20.
This turned out to be an interesting poll for me! For me (I didn't vote in the poll), the answer is 3 lenses. I actually thought that I was a bit below the mode. My guess was that the mode was going to be 4 or 5 lenses. So, I was rather surprised that 1 and 2 lenses represented half of the responses!
So, what I am going to do with this information? Get rich and famous -- duh! :-D
Thanks to all who participated!
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That's my opinion, and it's worth what you paid for it.
Eddie Rizk
The race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but that's the way to bet.
Formerly "Ed Rizk"
My email was hacked and unrecoverable along with all associated accounts, so I got permission to create a new one.
Ian Stuart Forsyth
Senior Member
Yup its mine for macro workWhat on earth? That’s blown my mind. Is that yours, or a google found meme photo? I can only guess it could be some type of macro setup?What happens if you use multiple lenses at at the same time?
--
The Camera is only a tool, photography is deciding how to use it.
The hardest part about capturing wildlife is not the photographing portion; it’s getting them to sign a model release
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New Day Rising
Veteran Member
I'm still the only person who voted for 8!
Poll results as of the time of this post on 30 Dec 20.
This turned out to be an interesting poll for me! For me (I didn't vote in the poll), the answer is 3 lenses. I actually thought that I was a bit below the mode. My guess was that the mode was going to be 4 or 5 lenses. So, I was rather surprised that 1 and 2 lenses represented half of the responses!
So, what I am going to do with this information? Get rich and famous -- duh! :-D
Thanks to all who participated!
As I said, though, this is really due to duplication across multiple systems. If not for this, it would be two. With a 24/28 - 80ish and 70-300 (based on FF) I would be covered for 95% of what I do.
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All lies and jests; Still a man hears what he wants to hear; And disregards the rest
I have a modest collection of 5 Fuji X lenses and 5 adapted lenses, plus a speedbooster. Can probably get by with two kit zooms and a fast standard prime, but make an effort to rotate lenses and probably use 7 of them for 95% of the shots taken.
stratman1976
Senior Member
To my surprise I see that most people get by with 1, 2 or 3 lenses for 65% or more. I wonder if that's because they just own 1, 2 or 3 lenses (one might expect more on a gear forum) or own more and just use those ones sparingly?
(I own 10 and use 9 of them >5%)
(I own 10 and use 9 of them >5%)
robert1955
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My situation may not be typical, but here goes. For some years my set up was two bodies plus 2-4 primes. For a trip I'd take 2+2. This however became to cumbersome, so I decided to go for 1 body, a standard zoom and maybe a second, specialized lens. As it happened I had the possibility to travel in October. I bought the new lens and from then on used mainly that. Something I tend to do with a new lens anyway.
ashleymorrison
Senior Member
The Sony E PZ 16-50 mm F3.5-5.6 OSS (or kit lens) is the only lens that I would use, if I were to taking some pictures like this...
with the little Sony a6000.
Or if I was trying to produce some images like this instead...
.. then I'd say between 90% & 95% of the time I'd end up using the Zeiss Distagon CFE 4/40 IF lens...
.. on the Hasselblad FlexBody.
So those would be the mainly two.
After that, it could be any of the others in this case...
.. or even from the Canon case, or it may even be that crazy wide 24mm lens on the Cambo...
.. which I really don't like using, but that's another story for another day ;-)
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Ashley
www.ashleymorrison.com
with the little Sony a6000.
Or if I was trying to produce some images like this instead...
.. then I'd say between 90% & 95% of the time I'd end up using the Zeiss Distagon CFE 4/40 IF lens...
.. on the Hasselblad FlexBody.
So those would be the mainly two.
After that, it could be any of the others in this case...
.. or even from the Canon case, or it may even be that crazy wide 24mm lens on the Cambo...
.. which I really don't like using, but that's another story for another day ;-)
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Cheers
Ashley
www.ashleymorrison.com
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AstigmaticOwl
Senior Member
I own 12 lenses. I learned that I used 10 this year, and 6 accounted for 97% of my images. When I go out with a camera, I generally have only 1 body and 1 lens with me.
Poll results as of the time of this post on 30 Dec 20.
This turned out to be an interesting poll for me! For me (I didn't vote in the poll), the answer is 3 lenses. I actually thought that I was a bit below the mode. My guess was that the mode was going to be 4 or 5 lenses. So, I was rather surprised that 1 and 2 lenses represented half of the responses!
So, what I am going to do with this information? Get rich and famous -- duh! :-D
Thanks to all who participated!
I wouldn't be too quick to take the results of the survey as an accurate reflection of actual usage. I'd be inclined to view the results as an accurate reflection of how folks perceive their usage of lenses.
My own story illustrates this. I was absolutely certain that, since my most recent lens purchase, 95% or more of my photography could be accounted for by one lens. That's how I filled out the survey and was the cornerstone of the comment I posted to the thread.
But a few days later, I had some spare time on my hands and decided to fire up Lightroom to confirm what I had assumed to be true. Lo and behold, I needed to change my response to the survey to four lenses in my collection accounting for at least 95% of my photographer over the last four years.
Two lenses (not the same two) can be said to account for 95% or more of my photography in each of the last two years. But in 2017 and 2018, and over the nearly four years since that purchase, four lenses account for at least 95% of all exposures I've made with my ILCs.
If respondents who own a handful or more lenses and responded that one or two lenses account for 95% or more of their photography were working from memory or from a personal impression of how often they use certain lenses, I'd be surprised if at least 1 in 3 of them hasn't underestimated their usage of some lenses.
My own story illustrates this. I was absolutely certain that, since my most recent lens purchase, 95% or more of my photography could be accounted for by one lens. That's how I filled out the survey and was the cornerstone of the comment I posted to the thread.
But a few days later, I had some spare time on my hands and decided to fire up Lightroom to confirm what I had assumed to be true. Lo and behold, I needed to change my response to the survey to four lenses in my collection accounting for at least 95% of my photographer over the last four years.
Two lenses (not the same two) can be said to account for 95% or more of my photography in each of the last two years. But in 2017 and 2018, and over the nearly four years since that purchase, four lenses account for at least 95% of all exposures I've made with my ILCs.
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www.dpreview.com
If respondents who own a handful or more lenses and responded that one or two lenses account for 95% or more of their photography were working from memory or from a personal impression of how often they use certain lenses, I'd be surprised if at least 1 in 3 of them hasn't underestimated their usage of some lenses.
AstigmaticOwl
Senior Member
I agree. My 1st back of the envelope guess was wildly wrong. I had to check Lightroom for actual usage.
Interesting observation. At a certain angle of view (I can't say exactly which, guess it depends on subject matter), rectilinear stops making sens.
In my opinion, it's around 12-14mm.
For a long time I've used a Panasonic 12-60 mm (24-120 equivalent) variable aperture zoom on my Olympus Pen F. It's not the fastest or sharpest lens, but offers a really nice range of focal lengths (pretty much all I need), is compact and since I rarely need deep DOF is a great "only lens." I feel comfortable taking my camera out with only this lens far more often than not.... probably 90-95% of the time.
Lately though after watching one of the Art of Photography youtube video (one of the best photography related ones, I think), I was inspired to try shooting with just a prime lens, so I've been shooting with my Pana/Leica 25mm (50mm equv.) 1.4. I actually haven't shot that much I like with it recently, but I chalk that up to a lack of inspiration and not the limitations of this lens. I actually enjoy shooting with a prime and this 50mm equivalent is a pretty good one for me (though ultimately a 35mm might be perfect). True that I miss out on certain shots where focal lengths that the zoom has would have been ideal for, but the prime gets me thinking about shots where that focal length would work and there is a certain magic to that lens that as good as the zoom is, it just doesn't have that...
Lately though after watching one of the Art of Photography youtube video (one of the best photography related ones, I think), I was inspired to try shooting with just a prime lens, so I've been shooting with my Pana/Leica 25mm (50mm equv.) 1.4. I actually haven't shot that much I like with it recently, but I chalk that up to a lack of inspiration and not the limitations of this lens. I actually enjoy shooting with a prime and this 50mm equivalent is a pretty good one for me (though ultimately a 35mm might be perfect). True that I miss out on certain shots where focal lengths that the zoom has would have been ideal for, but the prime gets me thinking about shots where that focal length would work and there is a certain magic to that lens that as good as the zoom is, it just doesn't have that...
Smaug01
Veteran Member
MFT
In order of how often they're used:
#6 doesn't get used within than 95%, but it is so easy to carry, I almost always have it on me; it fits in a thin side pocket of my small holster bag. It really saves the day sometimes!
It is a lot of lenses, compared to the majority, but I bet they cost less and carry easier than them too. ;-)
In order of how often they're used:
- Panasonic 12-60 f/3.5-5.6 (outdoor walk-around lens)
- Olympus 30/3.5 macro (for selling stuff)
- Olympus 17/1.8 (indoor fast prime)
- Olympus 45/1.8 (portrait/candids)
- Olympus 40-150/ f/4-5.6
- (honorable mention) Olympus 9/8 body cap fisheye
#6 doesn't get used within than 95%, but it is so easy to carry, I almost always have it on me; it fits in a thin side pocket of my small holster bag. It really saves the day sometimes!
It is a lot of lenses, compared to the majority, but I bet they cost less and carry easier than them too. ;-)
kaphinga
Senior Member
I initially voted for 1 lens, the Olympus 12-100mm, which is what I use a lot these days. When I looked at my Lightroom catalog for the last six years, though, the numbers tell a very different story. The actual number is 9, not including my Nikon lenses. Of course, some of that can be attributed to upgrades from kit lenses to fancier lenses, but it's still more than I expected.
As someone else mentioned, my lens usage varies a lot from year to year.
As someone else mentioned, my lens usage varies a lot from year to year.
robert1955
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Note how GB phrased the poll: he asked to look at the period starting when you bought your most recent lens. This would result in most of us reporting lower numbers.
Hunter_C
Forum Enthusiast
I got a general-function lens and a macro lens. None of them cover over 95% of my shoots. What could I say...
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