Rarely more than the one on the camera. There may be some value in attuning compositional vision to one angle of view, and then seeking out photos within that view.
How many lens do you take with you?
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mcgrattan
Well-known
With a rangefinder, usually just one. Generally a 50, although I sometimes take a 35mm or (less often) an 85 as well.
With my dSLR, usually two or three. Generally a manual focus prime and then a zoom that doesn't cover the same range as the prime. So I might take a 28mm prime and a 55-200 zoom, or I'll take a 135mm prime [which I'm finding a focal length I really like on my dSLR] and an 18-50 zoom. If expect to take shots indoors, I'll usually take a fast 50 as well. The zooms are modern, light and plasticky so don't add much weight to the bag.
If I'm shooting medium format, just one. I only have one lens for each.
The most fun day shooting recently I took out my dSLR and just the 135mm [which is an old manual focus prime] and found myself seeing so many good shots when thrown out of the '35-50' comfort zone.
With my dSLR, usually two or three. Generally a manual focus prime and then a zoom that doesn't cover the same range as the prime. So I might take a 28mm prime and a 55-200 zoom, or I'll take a 135mm prime [which I'm finding a focal length I really like on my dSLR] and an 18-50 zoom. If expect to take shots indoors, I'll usually take a fast 50 as well. The zooms are modern, light and plasticky so don't add much weight to the bag.
If I'm shooting medium format, just one. I only have one lens for each.
The most fun day shooting recently I took out my dSLR and just the 135mm [which is an old manual focus prime] and found myself seeing so many good shots when thrown out of the '35-50' comfort zone.
narsuitus
Well-known
When I am shooting with a 35mm rangefinder, I shoot with only a normal lens.
When I am shooting with a medium format rangefinder, I shoot with a normal lens and a wide-angle lens.
When I am shooting with a medium format rangefinder, I shoot with a normal lens and a wide-angle lens.
newsgrunt
Well-known
If I'm working, 21,35,50 and 90. Two classic M6's. Any other time, just the 35.
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Peter Klein
Well-known
It varies. But mostly it's the classic trio--35, 50, 90. With film I shot mostly with the 50. With the M8, mostly with the 35, and I usually take a little CV 28/3.5 along as well.
On long trips in the film days, I added a 21mm.
Sometimes when going out for a walk, it's just the 35, or 35 and 50.
On long trips in the film days, I added a 21mm.
Sometimes when going out for a walk, it's just the 35, or 35 and 50.
raid
Dad Photographer
I managed well with 28mm and 50mm lenses in a three week trip. Simple is better.
topoxforddoc
Established
I tend to take just one - my 35 pre-asph lux on my M2.
Charlie
Charlie
FrankS
Registered User
Big trip to Europe this summer: CV21f4, Canon 28f3.5, CV40f1.4, CV50f2.5 .
crawdiddy
qu'est-ce que c'est?
What's the point of accumulating gear if you don't have it with you?
If I'm driving, I'll take 4 or 5 lenses and 2 or 3 screwmount bodies.
When walking around, I like at least 2 lenses. 50 and 35.
If I'm driving, I'll take 4 or 5 lenses and 2 or 3 screwmount bodies.
When walking around, I like at least 2 lenses. 50 and 35.
Andrew Sowerby
Well-known
Pretty much always just one. 90% of the time it's a 50mm lens. The other 10% it's a 35mm lens.
pvdhaar
Peter
Pretty much always one camera one lens.. 35mm. Only if I expect to have to shoot under difficult light or very different situations will I take a 50/25 combo.. Never more than two lenses with me..
amateriat
We're all light!
When I put together my current Main Axe system over six years ago (two Konica Hexar RFs, 28/50/90 M-Hexanons, Konica and Nikon flash units), I took into account the idea that the whole systen should fit into a fairly compact shoulder bag (in my case–ahem–a Domke F-803), and be light enough for me to carry around for at least 14 hours straight (which would be a milestone compared to my previous AF SLR system). Less pain, more gain. 🙂
When I have just one camera with me, there's usually just one lens. Lately, that one camera has been a fixed-lens Konica Auto S3 with its 38mm f/1.8 lens. Very nice combination that rarely leaves me wanting for much more.
- Barrett
When I have just one camera with me, there's usually just one lens. Lately, that one camera has been a fixed-lens Konica Auto S3 with its 38mm f/1.8 lens. Very nice combination that rarely leaves me wanting for much more.
- Barrett
alan davus
Well-known
If I'm doing a longish hike I'll take one body and probably my Hex 35UC. Otherwise i'ts the M6ttl with maybe a wideangle (18 Zeiss Distagon or CV21) and the Hexar with a 35, 50 or 75. On a 8 day hike in a remote part of Nelson Lakes N.P. in New Zealand at Christmas time I took my M6 with the 21CV 35UC and Hex M50. On multi day hikes where weight is a premium I allways say 2 lenses are enough but the little CV21 somehow sneaks in. It saved my life once when I lost the eyepiece finder on the Hexar RF and the 21 was the only lens I could use because of it's external viewfinder.
pab
Established
If travelling in a situation where I can concentrate on taking pictures, especially in the mountains- 25, 50 and 90 work well for me.
If visiting a city or on a business trip where there is little time for picture taking I take a 35 and 75
If I'm just going for a wonder out of the house I just take a 50.
If visiting a city or on a business trip where there is little time for picture taking I take a 35 and 75
If I'm just going for a wonder out of the house I just take a 50.
mh2000
Well-known
day trip almost always a 50... would probably only be a 50, but I do like shooting little things like my XA, Stylus Epic and Minox GL... so I have to tolerate a 35mm lens sometimes. last big trip I took 2 bodies (IIIc and R4), 3 50's and a 135 (for the R4). Took a few shots with the 135 so I guess I'm glad I had it, but the 50's got used for everything (Color-Skopar 50/2.5 and I-22 for the IIIc and Summicron-R 50 for the R4).
Chris101
summicronia
I voted one, and I very often do just that. Not always, but more lately.
I have identified, for several of my cameras, which lens is the *best* lens to use with it. For example, with my Leica M4-P, I use an Ultron 35mm. At f/1.7 it's fast, and it's versatile. The 35mm focal length uses the second to largest frame line in the viewfinder, so it maximizes the VF, while giving me just enough sight of what is just outside of it.
On my Nikon FG, I use a 43-86mm f/3.5 Zoom Nikkor. One of Nikon's first zooms, it's funky (a push/pull at that), full of character (some say it's Nikon's worst lens ever) and well made. Plus it's a useful range.
My Nikon N80 wears a 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 G VR lens. A very high tech system, and since the N80 is so light, easy to carry all day.
On the D100, I use the 35mm f/2 Nikkor. It's a perfect normal lens for the APS sized digital sensor.
My Nikon F5 almost always has either the 60mm f/2.8 micro, when it's on the copy stand, or 85mm f/1.8 when it's shooting portraits.
My Mamiya 645 is mated to it's 110mm f/2.8. Looking through the prism finder with that lens, the view is exactly the same as with the naked eye. A perfect medium format, shoot it as I see it lens!
And last but not least, I shoot wide with my OM1n and 21mm f/2 Zuiko. It's my favorite indoor lens of all time. I love being able to shoot an entire room in one shot. Once in a while I am tempted to put one of my other Zuikos on it, like the 50mm f/3.5 macro or 100mm f/2.8 but that's just a passing fancy, I always go back to the 21. I love her!
I have identified, for several of my cameras, which lens is the *best* lens to use with it. For example, with my Leica M4-P, I use an Ultron 35mm. At f/1.7 it's fast, and it's versatile. The 35mm focal length uses the second to largest frame line in the viewfinder, so it maximizes the VF, while giving me just enough sight of what is just outside of it.
On my Nikon FG, I use a 43-86mm f/3.5 Zoom Nikkor. One of Nikon's first zooms, it's funky (a push/pull at that), full of character (some say it's Nikon's worst lens ever) and well made. Plus it's a useful range.
My Nikon N80 wears a 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 G VR lens. A very high tech system, and since the N80 is so light, easy to carry all day.
On the D100, I use the 35mm f/2 Nikkor. It's a perfect normal lens for the APS sized digital sensor.
My Nikon F5 almost always has either the 60mm f/2.8 micro, when it's on the copy stand, or 85mm f/1.8 when it's shooting portraits.
My Mamiya 645 is mated to it's 110mm f/2.8. Looking through the prism finder with that lens, the view is exactly the same as with the naked eye. A perfect medium format, shoot it as I see it lens!
And last but not least, I shoot wide with my OM1n and 21mm f/2 Zuiko. It's my favorite indoor lens of all time. I love being able to shoot an entire room in one shot. Once in a while I am tempted to put one of my other Zuikos on it, like the 50mm f/3.5 macro or 100mm f/2.8 but that's just a passing fancy, I always go back to the 21. I love her!
chris000
Landscaper
If I'm going out with more than one lens then it is usually three (21, 50 and 90) - but it really depends on where I'm going and what I'm planning to do (photographically and generally) so some times I take only one (usually a 50).
Aziz
Established
Only 1 lens. Either a 28 or 35. Sometimes I'll bring the Canon A-1 out with a 50 f/1.4 as well.
I took 3 (28, 35 and 50) with me on a short trip earlier this week with the M6. Easily I could have lived with 1 (28) or maybe 2 (add the 35) but if I did that I would have taken the Canon G7 along for the ride, just in case.
sem
Registered User
Most of the time two,
but in use often only one.
Regards
sem
but in use often only one.
Regards
sem