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Favorite Lens?

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tcole1983

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I was thinking about this and went back and found an old thread that was if you could have one lens what would it be. This is a little different perspective and simply what is your favorite lens and why?

My opinion has changed a lot since I originally got my dSLR, but at this point I have to say...

Lens: Nikon 105 F2.8 VR micro

Why: It is sharp! It is fast. It is versatile for everything from macro, portraits and just as a medium telephoto lens. I can walk around with this lens on, shoot just about anything I want and never be disappointed with the results. It has all the features and is the cheapest lens with all of them...VR, IF, Nano coating, AF-S (SWM).

Posted 10 months ago #
SkintBrit

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Yes you're right tcole1983, I am always astounded by the detail the 105 can record, and I should use mine more than I do. My first response to your question, was to nominate my 70-200. Yes it's a heavy bugger to lug around, but for candid portraits (my bread and butter) it's the one I use the most. I will however reserve judgement for a few weeks till I've had a chance to try out the 24 1.4G that came through my door yesterday..........I can't see it being so useful, but who knows? I'm certainly looking forward to finding out :-)

Posted 10 months ago #
tcole1983

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SkintBrit said:
I think you mean f2.8 tcole1983?

Fixed ;)

Posted 10 months ago #
proudgeek

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The flip answer would be the one I'm about to buy. :)

Posted 10 months ago #
Thomas88

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Hi!

I also like the 105mm/2.8 a lot. Especially since I'm doing mostly macro photos. But you are right it is perfectly usable for general purpose as well. The one critisism I have about this lens is the chromatic aberration which could be better.

I just got the 135mm f2.0 DC. I have not used it enough yet to rate it, but my first impression is very good. This has the potential to become my favorite for non macro work

best regards

Thomas

Posted 10 months ago #
framer

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If only one lens then it's the Nikkor 17-35 f2.8. I could use this both DX and FX for most normal photos.

There is no one only answer I need three lenses to cover all my bases.

+105DC f2 and the 300 2.8, then I'd be happy.

framer

Posted 10 months ago #
Kenh571

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I shoot wildlife and birds so my answer would be 500mm f/4 g. Tack sharp light (one a relative basis) enough to carry on the tripod all day and long enough to allow some distance to the subject.

This lens replaced a 400f/2.8 which was just too heavy to lug around.

Posted 10 months ago #
Godless

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AF-S 24mm f/1.4G - the best rectilinear wideangle lens I have come across. An area where this lens really shines is night landscapes and astrophotography.

Posted 10 months ago #
PB PM

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Favorite lens, that's a tough one. My most used lens is the 24-70mm F2.8G, but the 300mm F4 isn't far behind it. To pick one of them would be tough. So they are my two favorite lenses.

Posted 10 months ago #
shawnino

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135mm f/2 DC.

If I could have "just one" I'd pick some sort of zoom, but as far as "favourite" goes, this bad boy is it.

Posted 10 months ago #
Mike Gunter

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Hi all,

That would also tie into which camera. If I were using FX, it would likely be the a 105mm Micro (I have an older 105mm, too).

My most used lens in the DX world is a toss up between the 50mm f1.8 and the 85mm f1.8. The 85mm gets a better bokeh and the 50mm a better indoor range, but both are nice.

However, a nice compromise would be the 60mm f2.8 micro (I have it in a much older model). While not quite as fast, it would do a great job.

Here is a sample of the 85mm f1.8

and the 60mm f2.8 both wide open, but different relative positions, which makes a big difference, naturally, in DOF.

I can live with either image; I'm fortunate to have several primes to chose from in makes choices for working distances and environments.

My best,

Mike

Posted 10 months ago #
macsavageg4

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For the random hobby work it would depend on what I was doing but as far as my favorite favorite piece of glass I'd probably say my '66 55mm F/1.2 rebuild lens. It was full of fungus and just nasty when I got it. After I cleaned it and reworked grease into the threads it is just a wonderful lens with great DOF. Close 2nd is m 50mm F/1.2 AIS that is just cleaner with the better optics. Though my favorite lens I could walk around pretty much all day with is the 80-200mm f/2.8 AF or AF-D. Such a hard question with so many variables to consider.

Posted 10 months ago #
SquamishPhoto

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For a time my 200mm f2 was essentially glued to my D700, but now that I've got a D800 and recently acquired the ZF.2 100mm f2, it would seem that the "chubb" has been relegated to second fiddle. My back is very fond of this new revelation. ;]

Posted 10 months ago #
msmoto

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No "favorite" as each lens has a different function. The 24-120mm f/4.0VR is my "walk around". I love the modified 10.5mm f/2.8 on FX for special effects. General wide stuff or as a "normal" lens for me is the 16-35mm f/4.0VR. Night walk around...50mm f/1.4D, 85mm f/1.8G, 135mm f/2.0. Short tele...70-200mm f/2.8VRII. Medium tele...add TC-14EII. And, maybe my favorite IS Big Bertha, the 400mm f/2.8VRII. adding the 1.4 or 2.0 converters...well it really works. Oops, forgot my favorite "toy" for the architectural and interior work, the 24mm f/3.5PC. Just really neat to get inside and play or for outside. I do have a couple I probably need to give away, a 20mm f/2.8, and I think a 28-85mm f/3.5-5.6 Macro. Rarely use these now as the coverage is better accomplished by the other stuff.

I do have a habit of putting a lens on the camera and going out to shoot whatever I can with a single lens. This helps me to see how the individual lenses work. And, the manual focus of the PC is always good at getting back to basics...especially when I forget to focus, :-). I think the extreme quality of the current Nikon pro lens lineup is so good, just about any of the above could be my favorite.

Posted 10 months ago #
golf007sd

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PB PM said:
Favorite lens, that's a tough one. My most used lens is the 24-70mm F2.8G, but the 300mm F4 isn't far behind it. To pick one of them would be tough. So they are my two favorite lenses.

+1

I'm on the same boat as you are amigo...with respect to the 24-70 2.8. Followed closely with the 85 1.8G (special thanks to msmoto to helping me make this purchase).

I also agree with what Mike Gunter has to say...with respect to FX & DX. Given that some of us like TTJ & Rx4Photo have moved to FX, it would be interesting to see what their perspective will be as they make use of their gear.

Posted 10 months ago #
Eric

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My favorite is the 14-24 f/2.8 on the D800E and the 200-400 f/4 on the D4. Oddly enough I'm finding my walk around lens on the D4 to be the 28-300. For macro I like the 70-180 Micro. For low light I prefer the DoF of the 24 f/1.4G as opposed to the other 1.4s...

As I started this I realized that I was going to list everything I have. Almost all of my lenses are still with me because they are my favorite for something. Consequently, I think I must change my mind and say that my favorite lens is the one that is on my camera, whatever it may be.

Posted 10 months ago #
msmoto

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@Eric "Almost all of my lenses are still with me because they are my favorite for something"

Exactly!

Posted 10 months ago #
TaoTeJared

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Not easy for me any more - I just went FF - now I have no answer to that.

That said, I have always preferred a 50mm & 85mm focal lengths and as many, the 105-120mm length.

Interestingly enough my most used lens (for everything) is the 70-300vr. When it comes down two it, it's sharp, has VR, good reach, lightweight and actually does portraits quite well. (I like compressing portraits.) Doesn't necessarily mean I "like" it the most.

Posted 10 months ago #
maxout

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I am having a heck of a lot of fun with the 14-24mm F2.8 on the D800 but overall I would have to say the 105mm Micro.

Posted 10 months ago #
tcole1983

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Lol well no one followed the format at all but most at least got it down to a couple of lenses :-P

I would think everyone has at least one "go to" lens or one that you just like to shoot more then another. I didn't mean it to be it was your only lens situation, but more as that lens that is either really useful or makes you go WOW every time.

Mike you are making me want to 85 f1.8 even more, but I have to stick with my new body next plan or I will never get one.

Posted 10 months ago #
bossa

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On DX the Sigma 50 & 85 F/1.4 lenses are unbeatable for sharpness wide-open and bokeh. On FF it's not so clear cut due to the softness on the edges until stopped down a few...

I like my 70-200VR II, Zeiss 21/2.8 and my Sigma 85 right now on FF. I'd like to say great things about my Sigma 150 OS Macro but my D800E is away being calibrated and I won't know if that lens actually works correctly until then. I can't recommend something I've had issues with.

My most cherished lenses though are my Pentax 31mm Limited, 77 Limited, DA*50-135 & DA*200.

Posted 10 months ago #
Gareth

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The 35 1.4G for people.

The 300 2.8 for birds (and people).

I guess that means the 300 2.8. It's so versatile, short enough for indoors, long enough for birds and sport, tack sharp and with lovely bokeh. What more could you want?

Posted 10 months ago #
Mike Gunter

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Hi

@tcole1983 "Mike you are making me want to 85 f1.8 even more, but I have to stick with my new body next plan or I will never get one."

It's a good lens, nice and sharp, but I get the notion of a plan... I try to stick to mine, too. ;-)

As far as lenses goes, it all depends upon what you want to shoot. Some of us want to do landscapes, macro photography, events like weddings, news and journalism, or just run the gauntlet. There are even some of us that are just getting our legs and trying to figure out what we're going to do with out photography and tying ourselves to a single lens (and that wasn't your point in the thread) would be really tough.

Each photographer finds his sight through the lens in the fullness of time.

My best

Mike

Posted 10 months ago #
TaoTeJared

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tcole1983 said:
Lol well no one followed the format at all but most at least got it down to a couple of lenses :-P

..makes you go WOW every time...

ohhh - Weeeellll in that case, my 60mm f/2.8 AFD macro. I don't use it enough, but that is the sharpest lens I have ever owned. I'm never disappointed in it.

Posted 10 months ago #
kanuck

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Always love these threads haha

Yes the 105mm VR is outstanding for sure. Its great as a tele-prime as well and head shots up close not just macro as I'm sure you know.

The best lens I ever shot with was a rental 200-400mm VR I nikkor hands down. You wouldn't believe the details and bokeh. Just shocking. I rented a 300mm VR prime the following week and was disappointed to be honest.

My favourite lens is simply the current 24-70mm 2.8 it does it all, and is a real work horse for me. Can't live without it :)

Posted 10 months ago #