thirtyfivefifty
Noctilust survivor
My 35mm is nothing like my 50mm and neither one is like my 85mm. Just like how zooms are different from prime lenses and specialty lenses. I just have to think about my situation, predict what opportunities may come about, select which lens or lenses will maximize my experience, and hope that I'm right.
bideford
Established
Three choices depending on circumstances/how I feel (in order of most commonly used):
Digital - Fuji X100 (and several batteries) - Travel and walking. Light and convenient.
35mm film - Minolta CLE and 40mm Rokkor - Evening/social use (HP5 often pushed to 800/1600 - so much nicer/enjoyable than high iso digital).
MF - Agfa Super Isolette - When I feel "arty" and not too compelled to photograph. Folded it is more convenient to carry than both of the above (and MF!).
James
Digital - Fuji X100 (and several batteries) - Travel and walking. Light and convenient.
35mm film - Minolta CLE and 40mm Rokkor - Evening/social use (HP5 often pushed to 800/1600 - so much nicer/enjoyable than high iso digital).
MF - Agfa Super Isolette - When I feel "arty" and not too compelled to photograph. Folded it is more convenient to carry than both of the above (and MF!).
James
Tom R
Established
Context?
Context?
I suspect that the adage "less is more" is commonly used in the context of aesthetic choices, such as composition.
That being said, limiting one's choices is one way of helping many explore, for themselves, the truth of the original statement. Still, it's certainly possible to have many options at hand but have the discipline to apply the principle, which is why attempting to apply that principle in the context of "gear" might be somewhat confusing.
Context?
I suspect that the adage "less is more" is commonly used in the context of aesthetic choices, such as composition.
That being said, limiting one's choices is one way of helping many explore, for themselves, the truth of the original statement. Still, it's certainly possible to have many options at hand but have the discipline to apply the principle, which is why attempting to apply that principle in the context of "gear" might be somewhat confusing.
kuuan
loves old lenses
right now that's fluctuating 
recently I had got a tiny kind of P&S, incl. zoom and all ( Sony RX100iii ) and first I was enchanted how easy it all was.
A few weeks on I noticed that I have been shooting much less lately. Using a manual lens or two I take more photos, find the whole process more interesting and enjoyable.
My most common is carrying 2 lenses, sometimes 3. Focal lengths depending on situation, most commonly, if on APS-C, a 15mm and a 40mm ( Heliar f4.5/15mm + Pen-F 1.4/40 or M-Rokkor f2/40mm )
recently I had got a tiny kind of P&S, incl. zoom and all ( Sony RX100iii ) and first I was enchanted how easy it all was.
A few weeks on I noticed that I have been shooting much less lately. Using a manual lens or two I take more photos, find the whole process more interesting and enjoyable.
My most common is carrying 2 lenses, sometimes 3. Focal lengths depending on situation, most commonly, if on APS-C, a 15mm and a 40mm ( Heliar f4.5/15mm + Pen-F 1.4/40 or M-Rokkor f2/40mm )
Dante_Stella
Rex canum cattorumque
I tend to think that obsessions with "one camera, one lens," where not driven by necessity, tends to be a sign of what Tom Wolfe would have called "sclerosis."
Personally, I find that 90% of my pictures are taken with one camera and one of three lenses. But sometimes you need to pull a reverse Maslow: a new type of equipment sometimes makes you rethink old problems in new and more creative ways.
The other thing that people don't want to talk about is that your skills may hit a plateau, and once you're there, the artificial discipline of limiting what you use isn't helping you "concentrate on technique" any more. It's just limiting what you will do with your now-developed skill set.
Dante
Personally, I find that 90% of my pictures are taken with one camera and one of three lenses. But sometimes you need to pull a reverse Maslow: a new type of equipment sometimes makes you rethink old problems in new and more creative ways.
The other thing that people don't want to talk about is that your skills may hit a plateau, and once you're there, the artificial discipline of limiting what you use isn't helping you "concentrate on technique" any more. It's just limiting what you will do with your now-developed skill set.
Dante
Dogman
Veteran
I only use one camera and one lens...at a time. But I usually have available as many as three cameras, each with lenses attached.
michaelwj
----------------
Alternatively it can drive you to develop or discover a new skill set.
Or, it can let you interact with your subject without thinking about either gear or technique.
I’m a one lens one camera sort of person. I like the challenge and the opportunities it creates. I don’t particularly like every sort of photography. And I don’t have to. I couldn’t give two hoots about telephoto landscapes or macro or razor this focus portraits. I like what I do, and having the most minimal amount of gear that allows me to do that is all I need. For me, that’s one camera with one lens. For others it’s different.
michaelwj
----------------
Because no one currently makes a fixed lens camera with a 1.4/50mm. Or a 1.4/35. Or anything that’s not a 2/35 or 1.7/28 or 2.8/28. Or a rangefinder. Or with TTL viewing. Or with whatever feature you might like.
There is no rule that says how often the lens has to be interchanged. Actually, instead of thinking about an interchangeable lens and camera, think of it as buying a camera and lens seperately. You chose the camera, you choose the lens, you put them together, and you’re done.
(I know this is an old comment, but it comes up all the time so I’m going to reply anyway)
LCSmith
Well-known
The answer to the question is different for everyone.
This is my experience. Strange to say, the more gear I have the less interesting my pictures. The reason for this, I think, is that I tend to use particular lenses for their "traditional" uses, and my pictures look like "the sort of pictures" one is supposed to take with "that sort of lens." I used to have a veritable wall of gear, a lens and camera for every occasion. But all my pictures looked exactly like the sort of pictures one would expect from the respective lenses being used. On the one hand, this is exactly the scenario some photographers want -- predictable kinds of pictures in predictable circumstances. For me, this is boring and distracting, and plagues my pictures with a kind of virus of cliché viewpoints.
This is my experience. Strange to say, the more gear I have the less interesting my pictures. The reason for this, I think, is that I tend to use particular lenses for their "traditional" uses, and my pictures look like "the sort of pictures" one is supposed to take with "that sort of lens." I used to have a veritable wall of gear, a lens and camera for every occasion. But all my pictures looked exactly like the sort of pictures one would expect from the respective lenses being used. On the one hand, this is exactly the scenario some photographers want -- predictable kinds of pictures in predictable circumstances. For me, this is boring and distracting, and plagues my pictures with a kind of virus of cliché viewpoints.
davidnewtonguitars
Family Snaps
Camera & 3.5cm on a strap. Roll of film in one pocket, light meter in the shirt pocket with a pen, wallet in the back pocket, keys in the other. Any more than that and I'm overloaded and confused.
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
I'm very fond of more is more if someone else is carrying the equipment, otherwise nowadays the most I carry is a pinhole, film backs, tripod and SLR with two of 35, 50 and short tele.
blan01
Established
Less is more, I never had more than three lenses at home, and usually only bring one lens when I am out shooting.
creenus
Established
I own lots of gear, rangefinder and DSLR, all used. But I carry an M2 and a 50 Summicron Version III in my briefcase every day. No meter, but I use the same film so I have gotten halfway decent at getting a usable exposure. Minimalism, gear-wise, has its advantages. It's also nice having choices, but I have also realized that I need to shed some gear.
When traveling, I usually take too many cameras and bodies. I do need to whittle it down a bit.
For me, it's a balancing act that keeps wobbling back and forth.
When traveling, I usually take too many cameras and bodies. I do need to whittle it down a bit.
For me, it's a balancing act that keeps wobbling back and forth.
olifaunt
Well-known
Nice. The CLE+40 Rokkor is my main camera for what I think of as my "real" stuff, day or night. It's good enough for almost anything I will ever need, except it was an expensive investment for me and isn't replaceable so...
Instead of your X100 I have a GR-ii, which I carry to clubs, bars, rainy weather, etc., where the CLE could get damaged. I struggle to make the GR files look as good as my film stuff and so not many of my Flickr stream is GR anymore (the palette and tones kind of clash with my portra pics and I can never quite fix that), but here and there it gets a special pic for me.
I will only carry one of them at any time.
Mcary
Well-known
My answers is it depends. Right now I use my M9 and 28mm Cron for 80-90% of what I shoot, but I will often also carry my 50mm Lux for street/candid portraits or when I want to control DOF. As far as other gear goes last weekend I went out with just the M9 and a 3.5cm f/3.5 Summaron and while at certain times I did wish I had my 28 and 50 with me I worked around the issues and managed to get some shots that I really liked.
giganova
Well-known
One body, one lens. That doesn't mean that you can't have multiple cameras and multiple lenses. But when I go out to shoot, I pick one body and one lens that gets me into the right state of mind to shoot with that lens. When I go out with a 21mm lens, for example, I specifically look for things that will suit that lens and have that focal lens already in my mind when I look for interesting subjects and "see" everything in my mind in 21mm. I find that approach very liberating and leads to better pictures because there is no other gear to distract me and I can react much faster.
Example: two years ago I went to Argentina with an M4 and a 21mm lens and took great photos of landscapes, cityscapes, parks, etc. The following year I went to Argentina again, but this time with an M4 and a 50mm lens. With that setup, I looked specifically for interesting people and faces. So all day for almost two weeks, I focused on the fascinating people and wasn't distracted by looking for other subjects for which I would have to change lenses, filters, etc. And because I only had one camera on my wrist strap at all times, I was always ready to shoot within seconds notice. That approach works really well for me.
Example: two years ago I went to Argentina with an M4 and a 21mm lens and took great photos of landscapes, cityscapes, parks, etc. The following year I went to Argentina again, but this time with an M4 and a 50mm lens. With that setup, I looked specifically for interesting people and faces. So all day for almost two weeks, I focused on the fascinating people and wasn't distracted by looking for other subjects for which I would have to change lenses, filters, etc. And because I only had one camera on my wrist strap at all times, I was always ready to shoot within seconds notice. That approach works really well for me.
skopar steve
Well-known
Most of the time it's one body and three lenses for me. Though often one lens may be all I use in an outing.
robert blu
quiet photographer
I think the correct answer should be it depends...
At my age I like to go with one camera one lens. Sometimes when traveling I have two lenses but usually one stay in the safe of the hotel for the day. Maybe next day I'll exchange the two lenses. But I find very liberating to have one camera one lens.
For the next summer road trip I'm planning to bring one leica with one lens, perhaps another lens in the pocket and the Polaroid SX70 to make some postcards to send to friends...
robert
At my age I like to go with one camera one lens. Sometimes when traveling I have two lenses but usually one stay in the safe of the hotel for the day. Maybe next day I'll exchange the two lenses. But I find very liberating to have one camera one lens.
For the next summer road trip I'm planning to bring one leica with one lens, perhaps another lens in the pocket and the Polaroid SX70 to make some postcards to send to friends...
robert
Exactly, same for me.
Rick Waldroup
Well-known
For my documentary work I use two Nikon bodies with zooms.
For my personal work I use a Nikon Df with 28, 50, and 85mm primes.
If I really want to travel light, I carry nothing but a Nikon Coolpix A.
For my personal work I use a Nikon Df with 28, 50, and 85mm primes.
If I really want to travel light, I carry nothing but a Nikon Coolpix A.