How many lenses?

Hibiscus · Feb 25, 2014

Hi,
I am trying to figure out how many lenses or how much I have to spend on lenses to cover my needs.
I currently shoot mostly indoors, family or kids portraits.
I do travel regularly too. On the other side, shoot indoors, family or kids portraits, but also landscape, in museums when allowed, etc.
I bought a Canon Sl1 because of its size and weight. It came with the 18-55mm lens, and also a 55-250mm.
I am about to buy a Canon 50/1.4, and was also recommended to buy the 85/1.8 (which I haven't yet, but it seems a great lens).
Traveling overseas with kids, I already have a lot to carry...
What lens would be more adequate to bring? Do I need the 50/1.4 or the 85/1.8?
Some people rave about the 40mm, but the f2.8 seems to be not small enough to shoot in low lights.
I know that one size doesn't fit all, but I am trying to understand what I really need, knowing that the budget is tight!
Thanks a bunch!

AniTakesPhotos · Feb 25, 2014

On a crop sensor camera 50mm is about on the dot for portraiture. You will likely find 85mm too long in most cases for indoor shots. Instead, I would invest in a wider angle lens so you can take group photos. Especially since you're interested in landscape as well.

Fast and affordable wide angle primes are hard to come by for a crop sensor, however. I suggest investing in a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 to supplement your 50mm f/1.4. These two lenses should cover all of your needs with room for a telephoto like the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 down the road if you need it.

Overread · Feb 25, 2014

A few thoughts;

1) There is no ideal nor perfect single set of lenses. You'll find as you go on that once you move into a DSLR setup you might find yourself working with several different setups within that. For example you might just take the 55-250mm on holiday - whilst at home you might have several prime lenses to use. It's about choosing what works for you in your situation.

2) The best way to purchase new stuff is to avoid looking for "good lenses" because you'll find that practically every lens on the current market is a good lens. A handful might have some weaknesses, but in general the current crop goes from good to excellent.

3) First look to your direct needs and situation. What fits you shooting style and subjects. Sometimes when starting its good to leave things a bit and really settle - having some zooms like you do is a good thing as you can experiment with a wide range of focal lengths and in different situations. Through that you can more strongly start to focus on where you're finding the most weakness or indeed where you're finding you're already shooting well and want to improve further.

Reading your post at the moment I'd honestly say save your money. It sounds like you're doing a bit of everything and already have a few lenses. I'd focus on using those - get to know them and get to know yourself. In a few months time you might find it much easier to sit down and realise where your weaknesses are in your current setup and what you'd really like to improve (which might not be adding more lenses - it might be adding flash or other accessories).

Gavjenks · Feb 25, 2014

Well with a high budget, wanting to take those sorts of photos, I would probably just bring one lens with me on vacation/traveling, so as not to have to carry a camera bag (just strap wrapped around wrist to deter theft): The 24-70 f/2.8L. But it will run you a couple thousand bucks. Or still pretty expensive used.

On a lower budget, I think what you already have or are planning in the OP + accepting the inconvenience of a couple of lens swaps here and there, is fine. A kit lens + an 85 1.8 = still no camera bag if you have a big purse or pockets, and should cover your needs while traveling. 50mm is a bit redundant with your kit, in situations where you are on the move and want to keep bulk and weight down. If you really want a fast 50mm too, okay, but I would prefer the 50 1.8 in that situation over the 1.4, because the 1.8 is only four ounces and tiny and 90%+ of the optical quality.

Or if you want to spend no extra money, just take a kit lens and a 50 1.4 only. Will be a little more restrictive, but you'll still probably be plenty happy.

Hibiscus · Feb 25, 2014

Thanks a lot for the answers! Good food for thoughts.

lennon33x · Feb 25, 2014

Hibiscus said:
Thanks a lot for the answers! Good food for thoughts.

I'm with Overread. I had a T3, and had five different lenses (Tokina 12-24, EF 28-80, EF 50 1.8, 50 Macro, and 75-300). I shot and shot and shot. I finally realized I loved primes more, upgraded to FF and switched. The nice thing that I like about primes is the fact that it forces me to think more about the shot. But that's just me. But like Overread said, once you find your niche, you'll figure out what you need.

Simple and compact is good. Gavjenks was spot on with the 50 1.8. It's ridiculously light and inexpensive.

hirejn · Feb 26, 2014

Understand that I've seen the "which lens" and "which camera" questions hundreds of times. The reason there's no good way to answer these questions specifically is because lenses and cameras are just tools for telling stories. There are too many ways to subjectively tell a story using a variety of characteristics of a variety of equipment to give any meaningful specific recommendation. In other words, one photographer may use a lens only for landscapes, while another uses the same lens only for portraits. Both are right, and both are using the best tool for the job according to their own needs. Also, you're listing a huge range of things that millions of photographers shoot in millions of different ways, so take specific recommendations with a few pounds of salt.

The first question to ask when upgrading is does the equipment prevent you from getting the images you want, or do you prevent the equipment from producing the images it's capable of recording? If it's the equipment, then identify what exactly you need improved, why, how it will benefit your images, and look for a tool that provides it. If it's you, then identify what you need to improve as a photographer and then you can get more out of the tools you have. Sometimes it's more rewarding to learn to work with and get more out of what you have.

The best advice I can give is go to a camera store where you can try a variety of lenses. Get an idea of the looks they provide, how they feel and take some sample shots. You can't rely on "advice" because what one person uses a tool for and the reasons he likes it may not be right for you. The stories a lens tells is up to the photographer, not the manufacturer. I have an article that provides some basic guidance on selecting and buying lenses.