One lens

[Ken Ford]

We've talked about this before, but I'm slowly rediscovering that I do my best candid work when I head out with only one lens. No fussing with which lens to use forces me to work the scene. This was a lesson I learned years ago but forgot in the race to get all the bases covered with digital. I've been out of commission for several months, and now that I'm trying to get shooting again this is on my mind.

I'm seriously considering selling off my Sony NEX glass (three Sigmas in 28-40-90mm equivalents) and picking up a Sony 35/1.8 (50mm-e) to use as a one-and-only candids lens.

Has anyone else found that using a single lens provides creative focus and discipline?

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

It's very relaxing to do it for a day but I wouldn't want to use the same lens for a long time.

Still, everyone is different so you should do what you wish and I hope you get many images you like from it.

 

[semilog]

The one lens being a 15-300 zoom, I gather?

More seriously: that Zeiss lens is *really* good. Extremely neutral rendering. The pictures will be about the subject and the lighting, not about the lens.

 

[Ken Ford]

Actually, the one I'm considering for this experiment is the Sony 35/1.8 (50mm-e), not the Sony-Zeiss 24/1.8 (35mm-e). I considered the Sony-Zeiss, but that's a lot of money for a lens mount that can go obsolete at any time. Maybe if I pick one up used, though - I've always been a 35mm kinda guy. (My 35 is in use 90% of the time on my M6.)

 

[Godfrey]

I almost never go out with more than one or two lenses, three only when I'm traveling. Usually just one. It's unlikely that I'll ever sell off enough to only have one camera, one lens again, but I like working that way. It's more a state of mind than a physical thing.

G

 

[Ken Ford]

Exactly - it removes the distraction of lens choice from the creative process, for me anyway.

 

[Pioneer]

Some people like choice so having just one lens can be limiting for them.

For me too much choice can cause indecision. I rarely go with more than one lens.

It sounds so simple.

Then why do I own so many lenses? 🙂

 

[DNG]

I almost never go out with more than one or two lenses, three only when I'm traveling. Usually just one. It's unlikely that I'll ever sell off enough to only have one camera, one lens again, but I like working that way. It's more a state of mind than a physical thing.

G

Exactly - it removes the distraction of lens choice from the creative process, for me anyway.

Some people like choice so having just one lens can be limiting for them.

For me too much choice can cause indecision. I rarely go with more than one lens.

It sounds so simple.

Then why do I own so many lenses? 🙂

Taking Street Photography wise:
Me too, I take one lens when I go out...

Nikon FE:
24 or 50

Olympus E-M5:
14mm (28 fov)

I set the DOF for f/11, and concentrate on what's going on around me.

 

[Takkun]

Zooms are too much choice for me.
I could probably spend a day shooting a single lens, be it a 35, 50, or 90, but I don't think I could limit my kit to just one. I shot solely with a 35 for RF for the longest time, and the Fuji has a similar field of view. It seems like 35 seems to be the go-to for all purpose, but I'd be more inclined toward a 40 or 45.

 

[Rodchenko]

My street cameras are all somewhere between 35 & 45mm. Mostly, I use 42mm on my 35SP. Sure, there are times when I'd like to pick out a detail with a telephoto, or do a close up shot, but it covers almost everything I need.

Still want to be able to use the SLR or the m4/3 for the other purposes.

 

[Godfrey]

My street cameras are all somewhere between 35 & 45mm. Mostly, I use 42mm on my 35SP. Sure, there are times when I'd like to pick out a detail with a telephoto, or do a close up shot, but it covers almost everything I need.

Still want to be able to use the SLR or the m4/3 for the other purposes.

I have lenses from ultrawide to fairly long telephoto for all of my camera systems (Hasselblad, M-mount, FourThirds/Micro-FourThirds).

What's on any of my cameras most of the time is a wide to short portrait tele. Lately, I've tended to prefer the normal or short portrait, but that moves back and forth depending on where my imagination is at a given time.

G

 

[burancap]

The Sigma 30 (you already have) would be my single lens on the Nex platform!

 

[Fuchs]

I am currently in love with the eos-m and its 22/2 stm. Near perfect 35mm.

 

[helen.HH]

simplicity for me is a Must...otherwise I get too easily distracted
so when I head out the door for the Day I carry only ONE lens

 

[Timmyjoe]

I've got my Nikon digital kit for work, with 24-70 and 80-200 lenses and two bodies, and a Leica M film kit for projects, two bodies and 35, 50, 90 lenses. I shoot thousands of images each year. But when it's all said and done, the images I like the best, and the images a local gallery sells the most, all end up being stuff I shot with either just an M3/50 cron or just an M6TTL/50 lux.

I feel like I need the different cameras and lenses so I can cover any type of situation, but I seem to do my best work with a simple film camera and a 50mm lens.

I do think it has to do with concentrating on what's going on around you and not concentrating on equipment (and the decisions having lots of equipment with you requires you to make).

Best,
-Tim

 

[Steve Bellayr]

I make a determination of which lens to carry based on where and what I will be photographing; preferring to carry one lens but often enough I will carry a backup lens for anticipated situations.

 

[MartinL]

I'm strictly a one-lens guy. Usually, it's the lens I left home.:bang:

 

[back alley]

i like carrying only a body/lens kit more & more...age has something to do with it.

 

[gb hill]

For me it's a 35 & 50. My bag is so lightweight I can carry one in the bag without any problem. I always find myself needing to switch to get the shot I want.

 

[gb hill]

simplicity for me is a Must...otherwise I get too easily distracted
so when I head out the door for the Day I carry only ONE lens

Helen, you are not a bag lady are you!😉