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 p.7 #15 · Your Top 3 Lenses of All Time | |
I use three systems, so, choosing three, total, is difficult, indeed. In simple chronological order, of acquisition:
First, I will nominate the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS, with the IS meaning Image Stabilization. By accident of availability, I started DSLR shooting with a pre-owned bag of rather modest Canon kit, except that there was a quite nice Tokina 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens, in that bag. The desire to upgrade to a 100mm Macro lens that had some about of dust/weather-sealing, and maintained its length when focusing, led to the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS, acquired in November 2010, which I first used on a 40D, then a succession of several more 7D-series and 5D-series cameras. This was such an important lens that I bought a spare, when the price dropped (temporarily) by several hundred dollars. I have used these macro lenses for evidentiary/forensic/crime scene photography, until I retired in 2018, and have also used them for serious flower/insect/nature photography, and just general shooting.
Next, I will nominate a Nikon “pro” zoom lens, the Nikkor AF-S 24-70/2.8G ED. My wife being an avid user of Nikon DSLRs, it made sense to start using some Nikon lenses, with an good adapter, on my Canon cameras. As we acquired more Nikon lenses, it made sense for me to add a pre-owned D700, which enabled me to use AF-S lenses. I love the ergonomics and performance of this lens, and the range is just so very useful. For its practicality and utility, this one just rises to the top. When a flood ruined my first one, I replaced it, quickly.
It is difficult to remember exactly what made me fixate upon a Leica Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, as a grail-quest lens, that I just had to try, to see if I could make images with it, like those found on various websites. Probably, it was a search for reviews of either the Canon 7D, or the Nikon D3s, that led me to Steve Huff’s website. He is, of course, known for having been a frequent reviewer of Leica cameras and lenses. My grail-quest was actually quite low-intensity, for a number of years, as I did not thing that I could afford a Leica camera and lens, but, eventually, the idea of acquiring a pre-owned Summilux, and using with an adapter, on an Fuji camera, or other mirror-deprived camera, resulted in my trying a pre-owned Summilux, at a Leica dealer, on pre-owned and demo M9 and M Type 240 cameras. I decided to buy the lens, before I knew which camera would be paired with it.
I told the store employee to set the Summilux aside, for me to purchase, and she logged into the store’s computer, to remove it from being shown as available, on the store’s website. I was then told that a new M10 might be available, in the stock room. This was April 2018, when it was just becoming possible to buy a new M10, without having to first be on a waiting list. I had been planning to spend a considerable sum of money, to buy a Nikkor “super telephoto” lens, for very serious bird photography, a post-retirement self-gift, but, I was still rehabilitating a left shoulder injury, so, would not be hand-holding any long, heavy lenses, anytime soon. Scuttling the plan to buy the top-tier telephoto enabled me to buy the pre-owned Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, the new M10, and, also, a Zeiss Otus 85mm lens, to use on our Nikon DSLRs.
The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS established Canon as my first DSLR system, and Canon remains my most important macro/close-range system. I have more-premium Canon lenses, some with those distinctive white exteriors, but the 100mm Macro L is special.
The Nikkor 24-70/2.8G ED is what I used on a very memorable road trip, and then to shoot at my son’s wedding. Memories captured, is what makes this one special.
The Summilux-M 50mm ASPH is the lens that “Summilux’ed” me into adding the Leica M system, which had the bonus effect of putting the brakes on the escalation of adding ever-longer/faster lenses for chasing birds. My left shoulder has healed, but I no longer have any desire to own a 600mm f/4 or 400mm f/2.8 monster. The wonderful images of people, that I am able to capture, with this lens, makes it so very special
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