One lens or several (for an outing)?

One lens or several (for an outing)?

  • I do my best work when I'm using just a single lens.

    Votes: 165 70.2%

  • I need two or more focal lengths to realise my photographic vision.

    Votes: 70 29.8%
  • Total voters
    235
I voted one lens but I usually have a second lens with me. I shoot with a 35mm most of the time but there are times when I prefer a 50mm. I really don't like changing lenses unless I have too do so for the best image framing or working distance. Jim
 
I voted 1 lens since I feel I do my best work with just one lens and no distractions. But if I'm in a new city and going out for the day I'll take the 28 and a spare like the 75.
 
I usually go out with two lenses. 40 and 24. If I go out with one lens it is always a 40 unless it is the x100.

Gary
 
Forgot to mention lately I have been experimenting with a 21 and 40 pairing on the gxr and Nex. The 24 and 40 pairing is my normal one for film.

Gary
 
It's more and more just the 50. i'm getting too lazy to change lenses, which turns out to be a good thing.
 
Like Bob Michaels I'm usually out with one camera and one lens, lately a 50 or 35. I usually have a backpack and the camera in my hand with a wrist strap a light meter in my pocket.

At times I will have an extra lens or camera if I have a specific place or shot in mind and when done will go back to the 35 or 50.
 
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I normally use the 40mm Nokton, as a rule, but if I'm going out for the day I'll often take a couple of other lenses with me, depending on what I'm planning to shoot.
One of the things that attracted me to rangefinders is that the lenses are way smaller than SLR lenses, especially DSLR lenses, so it's much easier to carry a few with you just in case you want them!
 
When I'm out and about in the van I tend to take an SLR or medium format outfit with at least 3 lenses. I wouldn't dream of taking all this if I had to walk any distance. I did it when I was younger but not now.

As someone who is comparatively new to rangefinder photography I'm amazed at how much smaller and portable the kit is. A Leica M5, 35mm color Skopar and 90mm M Rokkor fits in a small bag which can easily be carried all day and I rarely seem to regret not having any more lenses. In particular, I'm discovering the joy of using the 90mm lens, a focal length I had previously never used.

The M5 has just been returned from repair so I hope to be shooting with it again soon.
 
I really am over carrying a quiver of lenses and their assorted accessories, So it's one lens on one body for the day to day.

But if i'm going out of town I start to feel compelled to load up, until I stop myself then I'll carry one longer lens--90 or 105/2.5 with the 35 or 28.
 
I voted for one lens, but I often carry one extra lens in a pocket, along w/ film and a meter. I don't change lenses on a day's outing very often. Today would be typical: I shot w/ a 50 all day, but had a 28 in my pocket. Didn't feel the need to change lenses.
 
The other night I went for a walk with M6 + Summartit 35 and 135/4 Elmar, was a lot of fun at the 2 extremes. Normally I might have 90 Summicron but took the 135 instead.
 
definitely only one lens. the only exception being if my primary lens is an ultra-wide angle, then i'd probably carry around a less wide angle lens for the times that the ultra-wide is just too wide.

i do "cheat" a little using close-up filters to change the focal length of a lens, though.
 
i'm thinking about a 2 lens set up, a 21 and a 40...one on each rd1 body...and that's it...2 lenses forever and forever...
 
I decide on 35 or 50 for an outing or a whole trip, I never bring both, usually its the 35. If I know there will be interesting modern architecture I will also bring the 15. If I want to pick out details, I'll bring the 90, but this happens very rarely - I use it for familly portraits more often than walking arround with it. So 90% of the time its just the 35 I bring. Maybe I should get an X100 after all...
 
Hate changing lenses. Don't do it (what i do doesn't require it). I usually leave with two lenses because I like having two bodies: One for B&W, one for color. My combo is usually 35/50 or 28/50 and then once in a while 28/35.
 
I guess I'm the oddball here. I usually have a 35 or 50 on my camera and shoot with it most of the time. If i am out for several hours however it is not unusuall to change to 15 or 75 depending on the environment I find myself in.

I really like my Domke 5xc. I carry the M8/50 and M7/35 and then the 15 and 75 in the bottom plus extra film. I'll have one camera out and in my hand most of the time.
 
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