What is your favorite lens?

[gagey]

I was wondering what your favorite lens is and why? What type of photography do you ususally do?

For wedding photographers what is your favorite must have lens?

Thank you!

 

[gsgary]

300F2.8L because it is so sharp use it mostly for sports

 

[ghache]

24-70 AF-S 2.8

great walk around/portrait lens, sharp and fast.

 

[Johnboy2978]

I think most wedding photographers will tell you "the holy trinity". That is a wide lens like a 12-24, a wide to medium telephoto like 24-70 and telephoto 70-200.

One of my favorite lenses in my bag right now is the Pentax 77mm limited. It's built with quality, smooth as silk and has a very nice bokeh.

 

[gagey]

I am really looking at the 24-70 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8 for weddings but I will have to buy one at a time since they are so expensive.so I guess I am trying to see what lenses are used more. I want so many lenses...lol

speaking of the expensive lenses do you use just the brand ones or do you use any of the off brand ones? I only right now have nikon lenses and I really love the qualtiy of them so I am scared to go to a different name. but some are so much cheaper!

 

[ghache]

I dont own a 70-200 right now but the sigma non OS one is tempting. from the reviews its an amazing lens for the price.

 

[Overread]

My sig lists my lenses and each one is a favourite for a select number of reasons and situations. When it came to 3rd party its a lens by lens basis - some are just as good as; some are better than (Eg sigma 50mm f1.4 is better than canon's overall) and others are not so good.
Price also comes into it and sometimes a lower cost, almost just as good as lens is all you need.



But for me: 70-200mm f2.8 IS L M2 - best lens for mostly everything that I can fit into its focal range - or up to 400mm with a 2*TC. So for me (for the present) wildlife through to landscape uses and everything inbetween (which is mostly the odd dragonfly and zoo photography)

150mm macro lens - nice long focal length macro lens which is also pretty good at a longer range grabshot when out and around

70mm macro lens - great as a light macro lens for a day when I want a lighter bag and macro is not the mainstay or for when I just want to travel light in general

65mm macro lens - great for really really tiny things

 

[cnutco]

I would have to say my 70- 200 f2.8... Wish I had the 200 - 400 f4 too.

 

[smeat]

The 16-35mm f2.8 zeiss. It's not a special use lens for me- I see in wide angle first and then compress things when necessary. I do landscape, portraits, photo journalism all with it and the lower depth of field from the larger aperture makes some great effects.

Previously my favorite was the Canon 35mm f2.8 T/S lens. It opened up a new world for me for 35mm that I had been missing since 4x5 film just became too cost prohibitive to develop. (though still 4x5 slides stitched together make amazing "stained glass" windows)

I don't do weddings anymore, I'm retired from that bit o' photography- it was too stressful especially in the days of film and now I just don't need the money. Back then though I loved, and most often used, my Contax 28-85mm (which I used on a Canon f-1, nikon f-4 and recently had modified to use on Sony/minolta bodies) and for some nice selective focus still shots my 50mm f1.2 L was hard to beat. I used a 80-200 L sparingly during weddings.

 

[gagey]

a question about the 70-200 lens do you have to have a tripod just for the lens or can you hand hold it?

 

[myfotoguy]

I love my 70-200 2.8 (nikon v1). I often am in low light (church events), shooting hand held. The extra stops of VRII would be nice to have, but I get by fine.

I like using this lens whenever I can - sharp, fast, wonderful bokeh. I use it for shots of the kids, the zoo, pretty much anthing where it's practical to be using it.

gagey- It's heavy but I'm used to it. Having a gripped D300 balances pretty well and I think that helps. I rarely use it on a monopod or tripod.

 

[table1349]

My favorite lens is what ever lens I am using at the time to get the job done. Every one of my lenses serves a purpose or purposes and were purchased for those reasons.

Kind of like my kids. I used to tell the oldest boy he was my favorite first born child. The middle child that he was favorite second born child and my daughter that she was my favorite daughter. I didn't pick sides and I didn't lie.

 

[CMT]

But for me: 70-200mm f2.8 IS L M2

Same here. I love my copy and look for any excuse to use it.

@Gagey I handhold it 90% of the time unless I am low shooting sports, when I prefer to use a monopod. At 400mm on the 2x Extender, the 5DII has enough high ISO capability for me to usually use a fast enough shutter to hold it and rely on the IS to stabilize the shot - Within reason, of course.

:thumbup:

 

[dxqcanada]

Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 - excellent quality, view is standard
Canon FD 300mm f/4.0 - excellent quality but not heavy
I take pictures of everything ... though not currently with these lenses.

 

[AverageJoe]

Canon 24-70mm f2.8 followed by
Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 which is huge: