Why do photographers who specialize in a single field have so many lenses?

[Photo Marksman]

I knew a photographer who worked in architectural photography. He showed me his lenses and cameras, he had the same camera twice (Nikon D3 or something I think) and like 40 or so lenses, he had an entire two shelves covered in lenses. I asked him if he used them all on a regular basis and he said he didn't, he could do his work just fine with a single lens but liked having access to so many lenses... Is this a normal thing with photographers? I can understand why someone has like 3-6 lenses but 40 or so is a bit extreme isn't it? How many lenses do you need? How many do you want?

 

[MWG]

It's a sickness.

 

[dxqcanada]

Some of us are collectors ... some of us just hate to let our lenses go.

I am going to guess that he collects lenses.

 

[digital flower]

For me I have been upgrading my lenses as I can afford it. I don't give away/sell/trade the old ones so it makes for a little collection.

 

[Rit]

I'm starting to get down with the sickness as I only have 1 lens at the moment. :lmao: You need as many lenses as it takes to do many jobs right the first time.

 

[LeftFieldPhotography]

Some of us are collectors ... some of us just hate to let our lenses go.

I am going to guess that he collects lenses.

I too have to agree with that statement...40 lenses is a little insane...but it happens when you don't want to let a lens go

 

[quiddity]

ask a woman why she has 100s of shoes in her closet when she only wears a few

 

[dxqcanada]

You should be asking these people for their opinion -> Collector's Corner - Photo Forum - Photography Forum

 

[Overread]

Heh he might only do landscape for his work but I'm sure some of those 40odd lenses are for other things, even if only used lightly.

Besides the whole power of the DSLR type system is to have options - the more options the photographer has the more creative choices they have as well as the more practical choices.

Some examples:

Many wildilfe photographers who have super good super expensive lenses such as 300mm f2.8 - 500mm f4 - 600mm f5.6 also have cheaper lighter options. Eg a 100-400mm or even a bridge camera. Because sometimes its just not practical to bring the massive lens out for the evening or maybe they just don't want the weight that time.
So they have options to choose from to suit their needs. Sure they could get by with just the one lens, but having more gives them more choice.

I show this easily - I've 3 macro lenses. I could do macro photography with just the one of those lenses; however each one as its own perks and advantages over the other:
The 150mm has the longest working distance - but is also the heaviest
The 70mm is the lightest - but also has a short working distance
The MPE has the greatest possible magnification - has no infinity focus

So again its options and choice - I can take the 70mm for a light day shooting or pack all 3 for a varied day if I so choose.


The same is true that lenses will keep their quality for a long time - unlike electronics lens manufacture advances slower and a good pro lens is still a good pro lens many decades later (provided its serviced and given good treatment). So its easy to see someone build a collection over time of varying setups - often reflecting changes in what and also how they shoot their photography.

 

[dxqcanada]

... and sometimes you just cannot find someone to sell your old stuff to for a fair price ... eh Overread, I'll give you fifty bucks and my first born for the MPE

 

[Overread]

Hissss You'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands!!!


Or possibly after canon release an update of it ;P

 

[dxqcanada]

OK. Where do you live ... you will have to sleep at some point in time.

I have a feeling you would not give it up even after you buy the (currently not available) updated lens.

OK, how about $50.00 + first born + a piece of lint that looks like Elvis ?

 

[Patrice]

I knew a photographer who worked in architectural photography. He showed me his lenses and cameras, he had the same camera twice (Nikon D3 or something I think) and like 40 or so lenses, he had an entire two shelves covered in lenses. I asked him if he used them all on a regular basis and he said he didn't, he could do his work just fine with a single lens but liked having access to so many lenses... Is this a normal thing with photographers? I can understand why someone has like 3-6 lenses but 40 or so is a bit extreme isn't it? How many lenses do you need? How many do you want?

What possible difference can this make to you. If the fellow has forty lenses or a number of bodies then he got them for some reason important to him. I have 50 chisels and 10 handplanes in my shop, do I use them all everyday? No. Have I used each one at some point? Yes. Will other woodworkers have the same items? Not likely.

 

[epp_b]

You may only use one or two lenses regularly, but for that one time when you absolutely must have that weird and unique lens to capture something differently, you'll be glad you have it.

 

[enzodm]

he had the same camera twice (Nikon D3 or something I think)

this is called backup. For one that has photography as a job, this is an obvious need.
For the rest, I agree with all answers. Part is sickness (called G.A.S., Gear Acquisition Syndrome), part is that you buy and you do not sell, part is that you might do any photo with a pinhole but it's faster and better to use the very right lens, part is just like any other collection (I collect old manual focus lenses ).