Do you Have Certain Indispensible Lenses?

BradleyK · Aug 6, 2016

Preface: This question popped into my mind when I was posting to "What was the last camera..." forum a few days ago.

Probably an odd question to throw out there, but do you have find yourself using a lens or (perhaps a few lenses) in your arsenal far more often than others you have? Reflecting on the issue (impetus noted above), I realized the following:

1. When using my Leica system (three bodies and five lenses), my 50 mm Summilux ASPH (arguably the sharpest 50mm I have ever used) probably gets the nod far more often (my 28mm Summicron "wins" second place) than any other Leitz lens I own;

2. With my Hasselblads, my 100mm Planar sees the most usage; and

3. For my Nikon system, it would be a tossup between my 28mm F2 Ais (by all accounts a truly substandard performer) and my 80-200 F2.8 ED AFS.

Just an unscientific observation on my part, but one which left me wondering if my experience was unique, or if it was one shared by others...

Alan9940 · Aug 6, 2016

Hmm...interesting question and really got the synapses firing!

1. With my Leica M6, hands down it's the 35mm Summicron; probably use that single optic for 90% of my images shot with this camera.

2. With the 'Blad 500C/M, like you I can't ignore the drawing capability of that 100mm Planar...just love it!

3. With my Nikon system (F2 and F4), it's a toss up between the 35/2 or the 105/2.5; couldn't live without either.

4. For 4x5, I'd live happily on a desert isle with 135mm Rodenstock and my 200mm Nikkor.

5. For 8x10, I wouldn't want to be without my Schneider 360/6.8 Symmar-S or my Schneider 19" Apo-Artar.

Sorry, more than one lens for each system in some cases.

MrBrowning · Aug 6, 2016

With my Bronica it's the 110mm macro that sees the most use anymore. That's followed by the 80mm standard lens. For my Speed Graphic the Fuji 180mm SF has seen the most action recently only because my Kodak Anastigmat 6.75" lens is getting a shutter repair.

Theo Sulphate · Aug 6, 2016

The 25mm f/138 is absolutely indispensable on my Zero Image 6x6.

On my plethora of other cameras: many good lenses, none indispensable.

ic-racer · Aug 6, 2016

My prized Zeiss 28/2.0 i got in 1986, I cherished and protected that. Even got a second as a spare.
However, last year i got the current production Nikkor 28/1.8 and it is just as good, maybe better.

Sirius Glass · Aug 6, 2016

It depends of the camera and the shooting situation:

Nikon N75 Tamron 28mm to 300mm zoom
Nikon F100 Nikon 28mm to 200mm zoom
Hasselblad 503CX 100mm lens, it was the 80mm until I got the 100mm
Hasselblad 903 SWC 38mm lens [like there is a choice]
Speed Graphic 135mm lens
Graflex Model D 7 1/2" lens
WideLux swing lens [like there is a choice]

Pioneer · Aug 6, 2016

Hmm. I don't know.

Sometimes I think I do then I look around and find myself using something different.

Normal focal lengths (changes based on format) are my favorites and I have lots of those to prove it.

The only lenses I can say for sure that have taken more 4x5 negatives than anything else is my 135mm Graflex Optar. Not because I love the lens so much. It is the one on my Crown Graphic that I have used for 90% of my LF photography.

However, the Angulon 90 f6.8 will probably catch up because I am using my Travelwide a lot this summer.

In 35mm I have taken thousands of photos in the past with my SMC Pentax M 50 f2. It was my first lens on my K1000. No matter what I shoot in the future I doubt that any lens will catch that one, particularly since I still use it about the half the time.

That same SMC Pentax M 50 f2 is probably my most indispensable lens as well. Not because I would never sell the lens, I have sold a number of them. Their like rabbits, they just keep breeding in my drawer.

pgomena · Aug 15, 2016

I like to have a "normal" lens for any camera. 50mm on 35mm camera, 80 on 120, 150 on 4x5, 300 on 8x10. I like a kit with normal, half-normal, twice normal focal lengths.

TheFlyingCamera · Aug 15, 2016

For obvious reasons, the 80mm f2.8 Planar on my Rolleiflex. For large format? Depends on the camera, but for 5x7 and 5x12 I use my 240mm Docter Optic f/9 Apo-Germinar more than anything. For 6.5x8.5, my Seneca f5 Portrait lens gets the most use. On 14x17, the 450mm Nikkor-M f9 is the go-to.

Vaughn · Aug 16, 2016

No, whatever I got in the camera pack. But usually 'normal' for the format is what I use most.

tomfrh · Aug 16, 2016

85/1.8 EF for Canon 35mm

Ian Grant · Aug 16, 2016

Must have lenses are a 90mm and a 150mm for my 5x4 LF cameras, these are lenses I always carry and get used the most, they are supplemented by a 203 or 210 and sometimes a 360mm, or a 65mm or more recently 75mm but these additional lenses are chosen for specific occasions and not carried all the time.

With my Rolleiflex or Yashicamat cameras it's down to the 80mm fixed lenses

Ian

RauschenOderKorn · Aug 16, 2016

I love my Zeiss 40mm FLE for the Rolleiflex SL66SE.
In general, I like the "normal" lenses and do not experiment too much.

Vaughn · Aug 16, 2016

Ian Grant said:
...With my Rolleiflex or Yashicamat cameras it's down to the 80mm fixed lenses Ian

One of the many great things about Rollei TLRs! (except my 'cord has a 75mm).

LAG · Aug 16, 2016

BradleyK said:
Preface: This question popped into my mind when I was posting to "What was the last camera..." forum a few days ago.

Probably an odd question to throw out there, but do you have find yourself using a lens or (perhaps a few lenses) in your arsenal far more often than others you have? ......

Just an unscientific observation on my part, but one which left me wondering if my experience was unique, or if it was one shared by others...

Excuse me BradleyK

No indispensible lenses here!

Doc W · Aug 16, 2016

I have three lenses for my RB67 (90mm, 127mm, 180mm) and find myself using the 90mm almost all the time.

For my 4x5, I have three lenses: 90mm, 150mm, and a 210mm. I almost never use the 90mm because the 4x5 is a Wisner and has the long bellows. I am actually thinking of getting a shorter bellows made so I can use the 90mm more. But lately, I have become much more aware of how nice the 150mm is. It is an Apo Lanthar and although I had read about all the praise it gets, I never really thought about it much. Then I got the 210mm Rodenstock and began to notice the difference, very "smooth" overall and with a really gorgeous colour rendition. So if I had to go with one lens for th e 4x5, that would definitely be it.

For 5x7 and 8x10, I have a 14 inch Commercial Ektar which I really love, especially the bokeh (although I am told that those little "bubbles" in the background might be the result of the shutter). I also have a 24 inch LD Artar which is ridiculously sharp but it has no shutter so I use it only occasionally.

So, like Vaughn, I tend to go for the normal focal length for the format. I am just way more long-winded than Vaughan.

cb1 · Aug 16, 2016

I don't have many lenses to pick from on my go-to camera. But I find I use the FD 35-105mm 3.5 on my AE1P the most. I really like it.

Ko.Fe. · Aug 16, 2016

At this moment I have two Leica M bodies and just one lens. It happened earlier this year after I sould four used lenses for one NiB Summarit-M 35 2.5.

I have bunch of other cameras with lenses to use, but M4-2 with Summarit-M 35 2.5 is the only one which is in my bag every day and it is the only lens which gives me all what I want on bw prints.
And it is not just rendering, but also how lens is build and handles. If I'm not taking pictures for few days with it, I'll just take camera-lens in my hands to feel it.
Now I'm trying to get one or two of Mandler lenses, to give this lens the rest from time to time

CMoore · Aug 17, 2016

I have only been at this a short while.
I shoot 35mm.
Street/Hobby/Photos of opportunity.
Basic black and white stuff.
At this point in my illustrious career, i have gotten addicted to having a 35, 50, and 85 in the bag.
I probably use the 50mm 80% of the time, and then actually use the 35 and 85 in about equal amounts.

Kawaiithulhu · Aug 17, 2016

On F bodies my beater 105/2.5 gets used the most. I like to isolate the subject in the environment but not to the exclusion of hiding the environment entirely like a longer lens would.
On M3 I only have the one 50/2 but it's pretty nice and I haven't felt the need for any different glass at all.

Sorry, my head just doesn't think in wide angle at all.

Pioneer · Aug 18, 2016

I finally got my hands on a ZM Biogon 35/2 a few weeks ago. It may be my new indispensable lens. It has somehow become glued to the front of my M-A and I can't seem to get it off.

darkroommike · Aug 18, 2016

Not a lens so much as a focal length. For both my Canon FD and Nikon systems I have 35mm f/2.0 lenses. If I walk around and compose a shot I find I don't need to even shift when I bring the camera up to my eye, so apparently my mental camera has the same angle of view and 50mm lenses are all too long.

benjiboy · Aug 19, 2016

My Canon FD 35mm f2 Thorium lens which seems to defie the laws of physics because it's just about as sharpe at the edges as at the centre.

John_Nikon_F · Aug 19, 2016

On the F mount bodies, typically the 85/1.8 K-type. Otherwise, could be either the 35/2 or the 55/1.2. The S obviously only has its 50/1.4 right now. Really should finish up the roll that's in it.

-J

Terry Breedlove · Aug 19, 2016

I am new Hasselbald shooter and have two lenses. The 50mm and 150mm versions. The 50mm really has become my lens of choice. I use it much like I do my favorite focal length the 35mm lens on my Nikons. I am learning that the square format is really pretty flexible. That 50mm can be pretty wide like a 24 mm (maybe even wider) on my Nikon or like a35mm if I crop the print in the 35 mm format style. So yes a 35 mm lens on my Nikons is my most used lens and now the 50mm on my Hasselblad.

Do you Have Certain Indispensible Lenses?

Membership Council

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency