Iluxa007 wrote:
shujert wrote
I have a 24/1.4, 35/1.8, 58/1.4, 85/1.8, and a 150/2.8 (and the 50/1.8G SE but I don't count it). All of these lenses are different enough to warrant having around.
24/1.4 is my wide angle. If I'm going out and only want two lenses, this is the lens I pair with the 58. With a Df I can throw this whole kit in a really small ONA Bowery bag.
35/1.8 is my environmental portrait lens. Wide, but not too wide to cause much distortion. Plus the 35 is my favorite focal length ... if I ever went one camera/one lens, it would be the 35mm focal length.
85/1.8 is so amazingly sharp and clinical, it comes out when I need absolute sharpness. It's also better for tightly-cropped portraiture than the 58. Plus it's just cheap to own, no reason to get rid of it.
I really like the ~50mm focal length and the unique rendering of the 58/1.4. If it didn't have such unique rendering, I wouldn't own it. Despite the optical performance of the Sigma 50A, I have absolutely zero desire to own it ... the 50/1.8G is a fantastic lens for the money. I think that's just too much... Just look at these numbers... 24,35,50,58,85? I'm not even counting the 150mm.
For me, the more lenses I own, the more it slows me down. I always end up swapping lenses just 'coz I HAVE those lenses. I know this 'coz I had lots of primes at one time. Out of those 5, I would just stick with 24/58 and be more than happy.
Different strokes for different folks. To me, the usage of the lenses is different enough to have them around. I don't ever carry more than 3 lenses with me at a time, so the combination of lenses I carry depends on my needs for the day. It's always based around a normal, though. If I'm going out for no specific reason, I usually pack the 24 and 58. If it's a portrait session, I take the 35/58/85, with most usage going to the 35 and 58. For a wedding ceremony, it's the 35/85. Why use a 35 and 58 at the same time and not just foot zoom? Perspective.
I could simplify my lens collection with a general f/2.8 zoom, but I like shallow depth of field and don't like the distortion at the wide end or the size/weight.