When I was with Canon I carried the 85 1.2, 135 F2 and 35 1.4 on vacation. Around town it was either 85 and or 35. With Nikon the 85 1.4 and 35 F2 are my primary walk around lenses. I would love to pick up a longer prime. I use the 24-70 for studio. The 70-200 in combination with the 85 1.4 and 35 F2 for outdoor shoots. I love the 70-200 becuse of the flexibility and outstanding IQ.
I tried shrinking my kit to a minimalist's photo bag...
8 months ago, I had a D2H, D90, 18-200 AFS VR, Tokina 12-24 f/4, 50mm f/1.8 AFD, 85mm f/1.8 AFD, 80-200/2.8 AFD, and a Sigma 30mm f/1.4. It was awesome having all those tools at my fingertips, but my Domke F2 was packed to the gills with gear, and it sucked carrying it. I look at lenses as tools... and I decided I didn't need 5 different hammer, so I downsized my kit.
I sold off EVERYTHING (except my D90) in favor of an 18-70 AFS (tried the Tamron 17-50/2.8 first... liked it, but missed the extra flexibility of wide-to-long reach on my 18-200... the 18-70 was a compromise), and a 70-200/2.8 AFS VR. I missed having a wide zoom and some primes, but for the amount I used 'em, the 70-200/2.8 they paid for kept me happy, until I realized how much that the 70-200 weighs, and how obstinately huge it was. It just wasn't practical for travel, which for me involves hiking & rock climbing.
My current kit is a D90, 18-70, 70-300 VR, 85/1.4 AFD and an SB-900. I have a Lowepro slingshot 200 AW backpack that I use to fit all of the gear, and I have a Tamrak holster with add on pouches for bringing a 2 lens kit with flash or just one body one lens. I've found I use the D90/18-70 the most, and I usually just grab that combo without a case on my way out the door.
1/1 for everyday use is what I've been doing for the past 2 months now, and it is my plan for when I do upgrade to a D700/24-70 f2.8 AFS combo.
many of us remember when a zoom lens was our legs,, had several 35mm 40 to 50 years past that did not even have changeable lens,, then I saw a Leica M3,, talk about lust,,
many a day now that I head out with the one lens I find I use most,, if in the car I have the camera laying besides me and sometimes will have the bag in the back seat but seldom ever need it,,
interesting how we can think about all that we need but find it can still be easy to obtain good photographs with one lens,,
Anyone else find that even when they DO pack a multi-lens kit for a shooting assignment they end up getting home and cursing that they packed so much when they only USED a one-lens setup the whole time out? Maybe because the lens I tend to use is a stellar one and easily my most rewarding in most situations, but still, it's fun as you say to force yourself to make one lens work with top versatility.
I recently posted some 300/f2.8VR shots from the zoo on the recommendation of a colleague to try to do the zoo with only one lens each time out. My next visit will be strictly the Siggy 150/f2.8 EX Macro I think.
Anyone else find that even when they DO pack a multi-lens kit for a shooting assignment they end up getting home and cursing that they packed so much when they only USED a one-lens setup the whole time out?
Yes, I do curse packing too much gear... I actually find sometimes the 70-200VR to be too much in weight, especially on a long hike into the forest. Which is exactly why I bought the 70-300VRII, for the weight reduction without a ton of loss in quality. Now my camera kit mostly consists of the 14-24, 28-70, and either the 70-200 or the 70-300 depending on what I am shooting. I still carry the 70-200 if I packed the 70-300 - its just in the car trunk in case I need it.
Just wait until I get a 200-400, which I am planning to get possibly in the spring of 2010.
My favorite one-lens solution so far has been the 70-200. Everything from my kids in the backyard, to the zoo, to the Red Bull Air Race, to elephants in Botswana have been happily and memorably captured with that lens. Of course, when the opportunity allows the big guns to be practical, even the 70-200 is no match for the sheer joy and delight I find in the 200-400. The 200-400 has only one problem: I can't really carry it around in the car for daily use.
My favorite kit to carry around "just in case" for daily life was the D300 with 17-55 mounted, and a small bag with the 70-200, 50/1.4, and an SB. I'm going to have to "make do" for a little while now, since the D3x choice means I no longer have a 50/1.4 or 70-200, and I'd have to carry two speedlights at least since the D3x has none. But I still think that the ideal kit for me to carry around would not change much: D3x+24-70 mounted, with 85/1.4 or 85/1.8 in bag and the 70-200 "NG" plus two speedlights.
Going out to a specific thing, of course, like a kid's birthday party, does almost always enable one to choose a single lens and be happy with it, plus do everything you really wanted with it. That's especially valuable when they're you're kids and you need to carry stuff, plus play with 'em.
The use of one lens, especially a prime, will show the photographer discipline. Let's not forget that many great photographers have used only a 50mm lens.
I have carried with me lots of gear in the past but I am using less and less when I travel. It makes it more convenient and allows me to enjoy what I am doing.
When it comes to zooms, lenses like the 18-55 kit lens covers a lot of ground while a 55-200 can complete the set up of all a photographer could need while traveling.
When I bought my Nikon F it came with a 50mm f1.4 lens and I used them for years before buying anything else. I still use them.
If we are selective with our shooting, we do not need a lot.
dj dunzie wrote:
Anyone else find that even when they DO pack a multi-lens kit for a shooting assignment they end up getting home and cursing that they packed so much when they only USED a one-lens setup the whole time out?
Not so much assignments for me as it is outings (I'm not a paid pro). I think this is why I am having the frustration of putting together my lens kit for my D700. I keep thinking in terms of carrying most of it all of the time.
I own the 24-70 and 70-200, but there are times where I don't need one of these lenses, and in most cases I don't need either lens. It is tough to own the D700 and not use the *best* lenses you can. It is the same lecture you read about on most every photography forum.
back in a days I had at any given time 4-6 lens on me, now just TWO - one wide and one tele like ( no more then 100 mm )
if I know where i go i only take one lens and nothing else. lately it has been 300/4 with TC for more reach and tube for closer shoots. this works awesome and you can have TC and tube in your pockets.
the less lens you have the more you will concentrate on picture taking IMO
I think I detect two distinct types of 1 lens/1 camera people (or 2 lenses/1 camera, or even 3 lenses/1 camera), and the difference is whether the lens is a zoom or not. All you sacrifice with a zoom is weight and the widest aperture.
I find that I do my best work with 1 or 2 primes, no zooms. I plan to get the 24-70 for my D3, but only to keep up with my daughter, really. For my serious work, 2 primes works really well for me, 3 in a pinch.
I have done my very best work with a Contax 645 with B&W film and 35mm and 120mm lenses, equivalent to a 21mm and 70mm, roughly. There is never any doubt as to which lens I grab for any given shot, and I start to see in those focal lengths after a while.
Today I went out with the D3 and 100/2.5, to learn that focal length a little better. I do wish it would focus closer, but otherwise I like it quite a bit. Maybe I will swap it for a ZF 100 one day.
With my D3, I have the ZF21 and 100/2.5 AI-S, but I find the 100 a little long, and might pick up a ZF.2 50/2 to bridge the gap.
I've been doing quite a bit of shooting each day with one lens but for a different reason. I'm new to Nikon and am adding lenses to my kit, including three AIS manual focus lenses. They've been a real epiphany for me. Yesterday I spent a good part of the afternoon at a local art and garden center putting a recently delivered 180 f/2.8 AIS through its paces. Frankly, I'd much rather be rambling around shooting than stopping to change lenses all the time.
I've done the same with the 105 f/2.5 AIS and absolutely love the lens. This morning I finally entered lens data for these three lenses in the D700. Frankly, I'm enjoying the Nikon experience so much the thought of letting go of my Canon gear no longer seems unthinkable...
When I just grab a camera on my way out the door it's the D700 and 35mm or, more recently, Mamiya 7 and 65mm. Usually if I bring a short tele I don't use it. I bring a camera everywhere and have found that's all I need.
For work I'll pick two zooms.
Only for special stuff, like surf photography or headshots, will I pick other lenses.
I can't imagine needing more than 2-3 primes or 2 zooms in a single outing.
Grognard wrote:
How many others here do that as well? How many have tried the One Camera/One Lens challenge for a week or so? Its rather refreshing.
Did this for years with a Pentor and a 50/3.5.
I like the one camera/lens approach as well. The D700/Sigma 50 1.4 (if I expect to be indoors) or the D700/28-105 (if I plan on being outdoors) works for me.
