One lens question

[DCB]

I am a member on another forum (Nikon digital) and posed question to them.

If you could only have 1 lens what would it be and why?

Well....they went ballistic on me. You would have thought I had run over their dog or something.

How could I just use one lens...
I guess it would be _ _ _ 2.8 $1400 zoom lens...
Why Would I do something like that?

Wow.... just found it interesting.

I know of photographers that have made a career with just one lens.



Peace

 

[hepcat]

Different audiences perceive things very differently. If I could only have one lens it'd probably be my Nokton 35mm f/1.2 v1, although the Nokton 50mm f/1.1 would be a close runner-up.

 

[lam]

Likely M-Rokkor 40/2 CLE 🙂

Works very good on both my M2 and A7R.

 

[michaelwj]

I am a member on another forum (Nikon digital) and posed question to them.

If you could only have 1 lens what would it be and why?

So what would it be?
For Nikon, I'd probably go for the 35/2 AF-D or the 50/1.4 AF-S. The 35/1.4 AF-S is too big (I'd get shot for that in Nikon land).

Michael

 

[airfrogusmc]

For my personal work I have only one lens. 35mm FF.

I shoot all of my personal work with a Leica MM and a 35 Lux FLE. The F/L really matches my vision well.

 

[Livesteamer]

For many years it was my old F and a Micro Nikkor 55mm f2.8. Worked for me but I can see how many would not want just one lens. Joe

 

[Phil_F_NM]

For my digital I use for working, it would probably be a 50mm f/2 Ai Nikkor. It's what I have. If I had a choice of something else for that camera then a 50mm f/1.2 AiS or maybe an Aid 35mm f/1.4. I can shoot most jobs with just one lens.

For my Leica M4, I already have it. My DR Summicron with Goggles.

For my Mamiya 6, it's my 50mm f/4.

Hmm, 50mm lenses are a theme here... although the last one is a wide on that 6x6.

Phil Forrest

 

[Tony Whitney]

I'd say 35 mm for sure. I guess that's why my X100 would be one of the last cameras I'd ever sell. It just seems to suit so many applications. Even my Canon DSLR spends most of its time with some kind of wide angle attached. But for my Nikon S3, I really like the 25 mm. I guess my interests run more to architecture and scenery than portraits.

 

[back alley]

if it was a bit faster i might go for the 16-50 zoom that i'm using on my fuji xe1…i am loving that lens!
for comfort/flexibility though probably the fuji 23/1.4.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

My family Fed-2 with kit 50mm prime on it. If film.
My Canon 5D with 50L, if digital.

 

[Godfrey]

For me, it depends on the camera which lens I'd choose as a "one lens only" kit. With the M9, the Nokton 50mm f/1.5 ASPH (LTM) does that well. With the CL, the standard 40mm f/2 does it well. I think with the A9, the Summilux-R 50mm f/1.4 is the one. With my old Pentax K10D, the FA43mm f/1.9 Limited was the one.

Etc. A good, fast, near-normal lens is my preference for most picture taking.

G

 

[De_Corday]

Just one? My AIed Nikkor-H 85 f/1.8 -- I rarely walk out the door with it, but when it's called for nothing at all can replace it. My favorite portrait lens.

 

[Swift1]

Nikkor-P 75/2.8 🙂

 

[Harry S.]

Alternatively, Id like to be forced to use one lens with no choice in the matter. I only really use 35mm and 85mm lenses, and don't deviate from those much at all...for instance I hate the thought of using a 21mm lens. But if I was forced to some how it might be an interesting and rewarding challenge.

 

[dof]

I'm saddened that you just ran over my dog. I think I'll take solace shooting the R6 with the 50mm Summicron.

 

[mfogiel]

If you know what you want to photograph, a narrowing of tool choices will usually result in better pictures, as you will spend less time fiddling with gear and more time taking the pictures and thinking about what and how to photograph.
Personally, I like 50mm lenses, but if I only had a Nikon SLR, that lens would certainly not be a Nikkor - most likely I would go with the Zeiss MP 50/2, or even the Otus 55/1.4.

POWAZKI #35 by mfogiel, on Flickr

 

[Harry S.]

That picture is amazing, mfogiel

 

[Scrambler]

I think the point is that on THIS forum it's a fairly common question, and people are advised to try "one year, one camera, one lens" and sometimes even "one film type."

My wife has a dSLR with "one lens" - an 18-135. It's not hard to live with, though I suspect dSLR gearheads would struggle with a superzoom - small, variable aperture and various distortions. In general use it's not an issue, of course.

 

[FrozenInTime]

Once upon a time SLRs came with a 50/1.8 kit lens and it was good.

 

[Rodchenko]

We've covered this before, but, if I were restricted to just one lens, it'd be my G.Zuiko 42mm f1.7.

Which is permanently attached to my Olympus 35SP 😀