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Do you need the "best" lens

Started Apr 9, 2022 | Discussions thread
bastibe
bastibe Senior Member • Posts: 1,236
Re: Do you need the "best" lens
8

Lenses these days are so good, I frankly do not worry about sharpness any longer.

They differ in focal length, obviously.

They differ in the amount of background blur that is achievable, obviously.

They differ in form factor. Especially for an EDC, I care a lot about this. On active photographer duty, much less so.

They differ in light gathering ability, if that is required. On a hike for example, I do not care about this. But I generally want to have at least one bright lens available.

They differ in rendering, particularly the bokeh. On a hike for example, I do not care much about this. I'm a portrait lens, I do.

What I want to say is, what even is "the best"? The Tamron 18-300, for its unmatched focal range? The 50 f/1, for its aperture? The 27, for its size? The XC 35, for its price?

No, I say it always is a compromise. There is no best lens, except for each particular person individually.

So yes, I say I do own the best lenses. The 16-80 as a compact-ish versatile weather sealed default. The 35 f/1.4 for a compact low-light portrait companion to the Ricoh GR. The 70-300 1.4x for a wildlife tele that breaks neither my bank nor my back. The 60 f/2.4 for the occasional macro or product shot. And the 14 f/2.8 as a compact wide angle that isn't too wide for my comfort. They are the best! For me.

 bastibe's gear list:bastibe's gear list
Ricoh GR III Fujifilm X-Pro2 Fujifilm X-T3 Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 R Fujifilm XF 60mm F2.4 R Macro +5 more
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