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Survey: Your lens collection

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Lenses:

Canon 50MM f1.4 - had this for a while - great in low light, but shallow DOF

Canon 85MM f1.8 - I love this lens - on the D30 makes a great fast telephoto as well as being a traditional "portrait lens". Also shallow DOF.
Canon 28-105 f3.5-4.5 - good lightweight all-rounder, but wish it was sharper

Canon 100-300 f4.5-5.6 - slow but lightweight - I get very good results in good light

Sigma 17-35 f2.8-4 - recently bought it for the D30 - pleasantly surprised by this lens (had been thinking of coughing up more for the Canon)

My bag(s) handle some/all of the above, 550EX, ST-E2, flash bracket, and various shitada. I like to have at least 1 bag that can handle everything if I need it, and I like bags that do not shout "$ Camera $" to everyone around me.

Right now, I have 5 bags - very small Tamrac (my Disney daybag) / small Billingham (a very nice bag!) / Tamrac backpack (for hikes I never take) / Lowepro waistpack thing (for some purpose that escapes me now) / Domke largish bag. The Domke is the largest, and my "default" bag - it holds most of my stuff - its actually a very nice, unobtrusive bag that I use a lot - I just wish it wasn't loaded with finger-piercing shackles. It is obvious to me that I do not need all these bags. It is equally obvious to me that I will continue to add bags at the rate of about 1 per annum. My only consolation is that my wife can buy bags faster than me.

Rob
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...
 
Wow!
This is some serious collection.
Edward,
Are you a professional photographer or an enthusiast?

Best regards
Edward Rauschkolb said:
Edward Rauschkolb said:
How many lenses do you have in your collection, and what are they?
Click to expand...
24 1.4 L
50 1.4
85 1.8
17-35 2.8 L
24-85 3.5-4.5
28-70 2.8 L
70-200 2.8 L
100-400 4.5-5.6 IS L

1.4 X & 2x converters

Canon 420EX & 550 (also Quantum QFlash and Dyna Lights)
various scanners and I now use an Epson 1270 with Photoshop and
Microsoft Photodraw

I have been a photographer for over 30 years and when the 20-35 2.8
L lens with Canon EOS 1 came out I tried it and switched from my
Leica R system and although I have flirted with other systems
(Nikon, Etc). I have never gone back. For the last 2-3 years I
have converted all of my images to CD and done no direct film or
darkroom work.

I bought no new lenses to go on my D-30. I tend to use subsets of
the lenses...
24-85 my "walk around" and snapshot lens. Almost as good as an L
lens/very sharp great contrast but very light... use frequently
with a polarizer (wish it were wider on the D-30) almost never use
my 28-70 unless I need the 2.8 aperture

When feeling "artisitic" use the 24 1.4 (on both film and D-30)
great lens 90% of my photography in 35mm shot between 24 and 85mm
so I throw the 50 1.4 in my pocket.

17-35 L indispensible on EOS 1V but not wide enough for interior
design work on D-30 contemplating Sigma or Canon 14 (dislike Tamron)

have rarely used 70-200 or 100-400 with D-30 (size and weight)
except on Photo trips love the 100-400 for universal wildlife, but
as yet have only used on EOS 1's with a Monopod. or locally on D30
to photograph Florida wildlife

Serioiusly contemplating the 70-200 f4 L have used extremely sharp
(better than the 2.8?) very light (705 gms) , very close focusing
(1.2 m) mates with Canon 1.4 and has same filter size as the 24-85
(67 mm)

have used/owned many other lenses and miss 85 1.2 (unbelievable
lens but too heavy. wish they made an 85 1.4 L. not sure that the
original 20-35L wasn't sharper (it certainly was lighter). 35-350
and 300 4 but replaced both with the 100-400 5.6 IS
Edward Rauschkolb said:
How do you carry your lenses? Do some routinely get left behind?
Click to expand...
tend to take 4-5 on long trips but rarely take out more than 1 or 2
at a time. I tend to decide what I want to shoot before leaving
house, since I hate carrying bags. also tend to take lenses with
SAME filter size

when going out locally take either 24-85 and occasionally (borrow)
the 70-200 f 4 or just the 24 1.4 L with 50 in my pocket and the
420 flash

For marching bands and football at night have taken the 3 2.8 L's
in a small Domke bag with the 550 and turbo Z battery (and monopod)
and use photo vest... but this was with film not sure about next
season... lol
Edward Rauschkolb said:
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...
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
Click to expand...
 
20-35mm f3.5-4.5 (soon to be replaced with a 17-35mm f2.8L)
35-135mm f3.5-5.6

20-35 spends most of it time on the camera
 
Here is how I divide my lens:

Indoors:

Sigma 28-70 2.8 EX - I bought this lens for $289 a couple of weeks ago. Why didn't I buy the Canon "L" on this range? Because on the D30 the range is not as "useful" as on a film camera. I rarely use this lens. It has excellent optics but it’s noisy.

Canon 50mm 1.4 USM - I use this lens a lot. Stays on my body most of the time when taking pictures indoors with no flash. It's extremely sharp at f/2.8 and very good when fully opened.

Sigma 17-35 2.8/4 EX HSM - I bought this and the Canon equivalent for this focal length to test. I tested using apertures of 2.8, 4 and 8 and didn't see any noticeable difference in sharpness and contrast between the Canon "L" and this lens. I like the built quality of the Canon and the AF is a little bit faster but I could not justify the difference in price since my main concern was optical quality. Some people say the 82mm is too big and expensive. What they forget is that you could get a 82-72mm step-down ring and use a 72mm UV and polarizer without a hint of vignette! How? Because the D30 only uses the central part of the lens therefore not showing the edges.

Macro:

Canon 100mm 2.8 USM - This lens can take very sharp pictures even wide-opened at 2.8.

It has magnification of 1:1 and also could be used as a portrait lens with the D30 at 160mm focal lens at f2.8

Outdoors:

Canon 28-135IS - This is a light and very versatile lens. I use it mostly outdoors when I can't bring any other lens. I covers lots of zoom ranges. It's not as corrected as the "L" lenses but the D30 only uses the central part of the lens minimizing them. It's sharp and contrasty.

Canon 100-400IS - I love this lens. I get very sharp pictures even with wide-opened apertures. This and the 28-135IS is all you need if all you want to carry are two lenses when shooting outdoors. On the D30 it is 160-640IS (wow!)

Sports/Action:

Canon 200mm 2.8L II f/2.8 - This lens is EXTREMELLY sharp. It is noticeably sharper than the 100-400IS in most apertures. I bought this lenses for low light sports or indoors. It's the sharpest lens I have. It’s very light (750g). I use it sometimes with my Kenko 1.4x 300PRO with excellent results. Extremely contrasty pictures even with the converter. On the D30 this lens is a 320mm f2.8 or 450mm f4.0 (with TC)

Lens I mostly use: (in order)
50mm 1.4
17-35mm 2.8/4
28-135IS
100-400L IS
200mm 2.8L

Lens I use only on specific occasions:
100mm 2.8 macro
28-70mm 2.8

FRED
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...
 
Canon 14mm 2.8L occasional use, mainly for landscape and interiors. Because I used to use a 21mm on my 35mm SLR a lot. If I want to travel very light (when a guest at a wedding for example) I leave it behind

Canon 17-35mm 2.8L frequent use, always carried.

Canon 28-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS. frequent use, always carried.

I find myself swapping the above 2 lenses all the time

Canon 50mm f2.5 macro. Macro at moderate magnifications, also a portrait lens and a low light lens. Usually carried as its tiny, but not always.

Top lens that I wish existed : 19-90mm f2.8L (would become a 30-144mm 35mm film equivalent). This would eliminate constant lens swapping and let me get away with one lens for 80% of situations, from moderate wide angle through the full portrait range.

NB I do mostly candid portraits, travel and landscape - occasional still life

Sanjay
 
Started out with a 28-80 and a 80-300 USM lens. I had these from when I bought my Elan years ago. Thought when I bought the D30 tha tI would be able to "just use" them. AGHHHH!!!!!! WRONG!!!!!!!

Sure they work, BUT I found that I needed lens speed! So, I made the plunge (and my credit card shows it!!!!)

Canon 17-35 2.8L
Canon 28-70 2.8L
Canon 70-200 2.8L
Canon 50mm 1.4
Sigma 28mm 1.8

The original two lens I had (noted above) are out of the bag and I don't carry them with me anymore. I have a BIG Tamrac back pack that EVERYTHING (including the charger and 550EX flash) goes into.

I want to get the 100-400IS L lens....it needs to wait.

Oh, and by the way, there is no doubt that you get what you pay for. The L lens are fast at focusing and I feel that they lock in quicker in lower light situations! The 50mm while fast, isn't as good as the L series.

my "stuff", for what its worth!

regards, Herb
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...
 
Sigma 14 2.8 - when I want wide, 20%. Great lens!
Cannon 17-35 2.8 - left on Camera 71% Wonderful lens.
Cannon 24-85 - on the d30 in daylight, need to travel light. 5%. nice
Cannon 28-135is - 2% on D30, 50% on Eos7 and Eos1v. Great lens!
Cannon 70-200 2.8 & 1.4 - 2%. Great lens.

I'm getting next
Cannon 50 1.4 - for really low light
Cannon 300 f4 IS
 
Hi there, Here's my own collection!

Canon D30 + BG-ED3
Canon EOS 3 + Power Booster E2

EF 20-35 mm f3.5-4.5 USM
EF 35-350mm f3.5-5.6L USM
EF 70-200mm f2.8L USM

EF 50mm f1.4 USM
EF 85mm f 1.2L USM
EF 100mm f2 USM

550EX

I always shoot in different conditions, so every one of them is my favortie!

They're all SHARP and FAST!!

And I'm considering to go for a Legendary EF200mm 1.8L or the 300mm 2.8L IS.......what do you think?
 
I have a D30 since October with Bg-ED grip (I hate the bulk of the
grip but it really is required for big lenses).

Basic General Purpose Lenses (all Canon):
17-35mm
28-70mm
70-200mm
100-400mm

It would make sense to stop with the above lenses. However, for indoor
flash-free use they can be borderline at low light so I also have:

24mm f1.4 (particulary good for wide angle indoor performances)
50mm f1.0 (indoor performances)
85mm f.1.2 (I love this lens for basketball with D30)
135mm f2.0 (I find this lens a tad long for some applications with
the D30, but when you are in the cheap seats it shines
when there is not enough light for the 70-200mmf2.8

Then there is macro photography for objects around 3" in size and smaller:

100mm f2.8 macro (I use the 28-70 for objects that are 10" in size,
the 100mm working distance can be a little long for stand shooting of
large objects dure to the D30 1.6X lens factor )

stereo zoom microscope with T-mount adapter for EOS lens

Then there are two lenses for travel:

28-135mm IS (light weight and wide zoom range for highly lit subjects)
35-350mm (wide zoom range for highly lit subjects, but weak for wide angle
shots) This lens is also my preferred lens for soccer matches
when shooting from the field. The wide angle capability is
much better than the 100-400mm for soccer games.

I have eleven lenses. I have bag that I carry only in my car and a small bag I shoot with. I also have a bigger bag at home that never travels.

I never carry more than four lenses (three in the "small" bag)

with me and never more than one of them is a large lens (70-200, 100-400 or 35-350). My small bag is actually a leather briefcase since I do not like to have it look like a camera bag.

On trips I try to minize my lenses as well with varying difficulty. A typical set would be:
17-35mm
24mm f1.4
28-135mm
35-350mm (only somtimes)

At swim meets: (never more than two lenses from below).
35-350mm (afternoons and outdoors)
100-400mm (lower light evenings/ indoors big pool)
70-200mm (evening/indoors)
28-70mm (evening/indoors)
Sometimes use 540ex flash with above.

In comparison to these lenses the D30 is inexpensive. In the future I would really like to have a camera with a 1.0X and a 1.6X lens factor switch selectible. I really enjoy the large aperature capability for large working distance photography that the D30 provides.
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...
 
I have the following (bought it 3 weeks ago with my D30)

Sigma 17-35mm
Canon IS 35-135

I like both lenses, even though it is still a lot of switching between them.

I think I will get the 50mm1.4 and I am sure I will like that one, since I have been used to fast fix lenses from my film-cameras (never hasd missed zoom before). I also never understood why many people would spend a lot of money for a 28-70, 2.8 because in my opinion 2.8 is not fast compared to a 50mm and I dont see an big advantage in the zoom 28-70 range (specially for the D30, 28 is not real wide, 70 is not real tele). thats why I prefered the 35-135 IS with more range and want to add an 50mm really fast lens for portraits.

I miss also something more wide than the 17mm, maybe should look for the 14mm Sigma - anybody experience with that?
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...
 
Tom,
I tend to agree with you.
I also think that the Canon 28-70L is NOT very useful, especially on the D30.

On the D30, this lens becomes a "standard to telephoto" lens (45-112mm), which becomes a pain when you need wide-angle shots. (You will have to switch to the 17-35mm). I think the 17-35mm would be more useful for a “main lens” on the D30 ( 28-60mm)

I have the 50mm f1.4 lens. I mostly use when shooting indoors. It's very light, strong and small. If I need more range, I take 1 step forwards, less range, 1 step backwards.

I do think that the 28-70 is of excellent quality and very well built. (a bit bulky with the hood attached though).

I bought the 28-70 2.8 Sigma EX for the price. ($280), but I think I will send it back because I rarely use it. I much prefer the 50mm 1.4 instead.

By the way, you meant to say Canon 28-135IS right??
FRED
tom said:
Sigma 17-35mm
Canon IS 35-135

I like both lenses, even though it is still a lot of switching
between them.
I think I will get the 50mm1.4 and I am sure I will like that one,
since I have been used to fast fix lenses from my film-cameras
(never hasd missed zoom before). I also never understood why many
people would spend a lot of money for a 28-70, 2.8 because in my
opinion 2.8 is not fast compared to a 50mm and I dont see an big
advantage in the zoom 28-70 range (specially for the D30, 28 is not
real wide, 70 is not real tele). thats why I prefered the 35-135 IS
with more range and want to add an 50mm really fast lens for
portraits.
I miss also something more wide than the 17mm, maybe should look
for the 14mm Sigma - anybody experience with that?
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...
 
Canon 28-135 IS
Canon 100-400 L
Canon 17-35 F2.8 L
Sigma 100 F2.8 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...
 
tom said:
I miss also something more wide than the 17mm, maybe should look
for the 14mm Sigma - anybody experience with that?
Click to expand...
What tpe of situations are you missing at 17mm and plan to get at 14mm? I too have the 17-36mmL Canon.

Don L
 
Sigma 14mm 2.8 EX HSM
Canon 20mm 2.8 USM
Canon 20-35mm 3.5-4.5 USM
Canon 50mm 1.8 (original metal mt.)
Canon 85mm 1.8 USM
Tamron 90mm 2.8 SP AF Macro
Canon 28-80 3.5-5.6 (orig. metal mount) USM
Canon 28-70 2.8L
Canon 100-300 5.6L
Kenko Pro 300 1.4x teleconverter
 
20mm f2.8 USM
28-70 f2.8L
100mm f2.8 macro USM
200mm f2.8L Mk1
Kenko Pro 300 1.4 & 2X teleconverters

I'm in the market for a fast lens, either the 50 f1.4, or the 85 f1.8 (unless someone wants to dump their 85 f1.2 for around $650...;-)

And Santa's on the hook for either a 300 f2.8L IS or a 400 f4 IS DO....

I feel no urgent need to pick up a Sigma 14mm. The 20mm seems wide enough.
 
Do you have samples taken with the Sigma Macro available somewhere ?
Phil Askey said:
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...
 
I've really enjoyed reading the all posts on everyone's lens selections !

I usually end up using either

A "heavy bag" ( when I want to be able to do everything, or don't know what I will want to do )

D30
EOS 3 with Drive Booster PB-E2
Canon 17-35L
Canon 35-350L
Canon 50mm 1.4
Canon 1.4 extender (used with the 35-350L)
and 2 550EX Flashes, all in a Billingham 225 Bag

or more often, a lighter kit, for walk abouts or business travel

D30 (almost always now instead of a film body)
Canon 17-35L
Canon 50mm 1.4

and only one of the following, depending on what I think I'll be taking pictures of:
Canon 28-105
Canon 75-300IS
Canon 85mm 1.8
or
Canon 100mm 2.8 macro
with a 380EX Flash

all in a Billingham Photo Hadley bag, which doubles most days as a briefcase (room for a laptop, even with camera and gear)

I'm very much an amateur, with no possible financial justification for any of this great stuff. But I'm also more than lucky to have a great wife, who understands a guy "can't" have too much gear, and has made presents of all of these cameras, lens, flashes, and bags for Christmases, birthdays, and anniversaries over the last few years.

Duff
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...
 
So JD, are you going to go through the and compile a chart of the distribution of lenses?

perhaps canon will pay highly for such info? :o>
 
...would help if i change the subject

So JD, are you going to go through the and compile a chart of the distribution of lenses?

perhaps canon will pay highly for such info? :o>
 
http://www.zing.com/album/?id=4293412101
pondria said:
Phil Askey said:
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...
 
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