What is your favourite lens?

[Reschsmooth]

Most of us have a veritable arsenal of glass sitting in our bags. Yet, I am sure most of us also have one, maybe two lenses which point out from our camera bodies more than most.

What is your favourate lens? Do you find you use your 300 2.8 more than others or your Sigma 10-20?

For me, my favourates would be:

1. 17-35 2.8 (if it was working properly). At 17 mm, it gives such a beautifully large and relatively distortion free FOV particularly on FF and particularly on FF with a 100% viewfinder. It's AF was super fast and quiet. It could focus down to about 28cm or so (and that's from the film plane). It is basically as sharp as a tack and the weight of it balances out the heft of the D200+MB200 or the Nikon F very well.
2. 85 1.4 - what else needs be said? Most Nikon users either have it or want it badly (except those who shoot automobiles or animals that they would rather keep at a distance ). At 5.6, it is so sharp that eyelashes on portraits become dangerous. My only criticism is that, on a DX body, you need to have a decent amount of room to move, although this would not be a problem in most spaces.
3. Bronica 150 3.5 - equivalent to about 105mm on FF (or thereabouts) so a fantastic portrait lens. When you look through a MF viewfinder, it is completely different to that of a 35 or DX camera. Combined with this lens, it makes taking portraits such a pleasant experience. I would not put it up there with the Nikon 85, even though they are of comparable equivalent focal lengths on a DX camera.

On my Nikons, if I could only use two lenses, I would stay with the two mentioned above. Limited to one, my choice would be harder, except for the fact that my 17-35 is somewhat busted.

What's yours?

[radar]

Good topic Patrick.

Probably my Tokina 12-24 is on my camera most often as I love to do landscapes. Lately, I've also been doing a bit more macro so my Tamron 90mm lens is getting a lot of use but my new 70-200 is not far behind. Did I say I can be indecisive!!!

So if I had to pick two lenses, Tokina 12-24 and 70-200. To pick only one, I would probably pick the Nikkor 17-35 that I will eventually get

Cheers,

André

[seedyrom]

SNIP
2. 85 1.4 - My only criticism is that, on a DX body, you need to have a decent amount of room to move, although this would not be a problem in most spaces.

I only have the kit lens, and the 85mm 1.4.

I think I should really have gone the 50mm 1.4 as I too find myself having to stand well away from the action, and in party situations where there are a number of people with camera's going for the cake shot, i'm back behind the pack, trying to stand on things to try to get an angle past the mob.

[ATJ]

My 60mm f/2.8 macro. Other than the dive last Sunday and a short time on Christmas day, the 60mm has been the only lens on my D300.

I am seriously considering getting Tokina 12-24mm mainly for underwater use (for sharks and whales). It has moved up a notch now that I hear how happy André is with his.

[methd]

Both the 70-200 and the 50

[Killakoala]

My 28-70mm 2.8F is my kit lens on both film and digital. But I like all my lenses. I love my 85mm 1.4F. Saving up for a 14-24mm which will probably become my new fave lens.

[gstark]

Great topic, Patrick. Thanx for raising it.

For me, it's the Nikkor 85 f/1.4, followed by the Sigma 10-20.

The Nikkor is just so nice to use in every way possible. It's almost my walkaround lens.

And the 10-20? it's just a fun lens that lets you do things that most would consider illegal. Or dangerous.

[Glen]

Great topic Patrick and great chance to learn about other peoples favourite gems. For me it is the 70-200 as it always delivers or the 45P because it is versatile, cute and adaptable with few vices.

[Onyx]

I find the beauty of interchangeable lens cameras is the ability to change lenses, and not be stuck with one lens - so I tend not to favour one particular lens over another. Each has its place for specific purposes, even if two cover the same focal range there still remains variables determining which lens options I choose to use. eg. I recently acquired a Nikkor 18-55 II (the kit lens for a D40x), and it sits alongside my 18-135 and 17-35 as a lineup of entry level, midrange and pro level of standard zooms. I guess since that's the range I use most often, I would have to say these are my favourites.

[AndyL]

No favourites. There are lenses that I use more often (50/1.4 and 24/2.8 ) which has more to do with what I am shooting, a couple that I use less often (20/2.8 and 180/2.8 ) but not because I like them any less, and a couple that I don't really like a whole lot (kit and the Sigma) but still have their uses.

Sometimes I pine for my old MF Nikkors (24, 50 and 105), FM (all stolen '03) and the sweet simplicity of it all.

[christiand]

I love ALL my "babies", (four I have)

it really depends on what I'm shooting.
What do I have on the camera most of the times ? The 28-70 / f 2.8
I also use extension rings.
I do not have a favourite, they are ALL sweet

[mickeyjuice]

I don't know that I have a favourite. Depends on what I'm doing.

I'm infatuated with my Sigma 120-300/2.8 for sport, and am amazed at how good it is with the 2xTC on it, but it's not good for indoors.

Usually I'll shoot pressers with my Canon 28-70/2.8L or my Sigma 70-200/2.8 - I think of those two I prefer the Canon's IQ, but it's marginal. Today, it was the 70-200 because of where I was in relation to the podium.

The Sigma 10-20 is a wild lens - great fun and very useful, while the Sigma 30/1.4 is great in low light, and a great length on the 40D. The Canon 50/1.4 is also excellent, but I might sell it as it's a bit long for most things I want 1.4 for, and I don't really need TWO 1.4 lenses.

Bottom line: no favourite, but the right tool for the job. If I had to keep just one, the 28-70 is the most versatile.

[dm_td5]

I'd say my 24-70 f/2.8 and 70-200 VR. But then I get a real buzz playing with my 10.5 or my Sigma 150 or... it really depends on what I'm shooting.

[Alpha_7]

I loved my 80-200 2.8 before I sold it, and my 50 1.4 and 10-20 are fun, but at the moment my 18-200 VR would be my favourite lens, it isn't the fastest, or sharpest but it has captured the widest variety of images, and always been by my side on holiday and trips. It had a nasty fall in Egypt, and I thought the lens was a goner the UV filter smashed but the lens kept marching on. I have ordered a 24-70 2.8 which will probably replace it, but the super zoom is the travelers best friend.

[DanielA]

I'm surprised no one has already said it. Mine is the Nikkor 80-400VR. Just the flexibility and zooooom.

Daniel

[ATJ]

...I recently acquired a Nikkor 18-55 II (the kit lens for a D40x)...

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that likes this lens. In fact, once I got it I stopped using the 18-70mm kit lens from the D70. It is by far the lens I use most underwater.

[Viz]

I love to dream of the 14-24... ahh

I like my lenses, but I don't really love them. Though my 105 vr is a barrel of fun and a good friend... so I suppose that must be my answer.
I both love & hate the 24-70 L in the same breath.

[Biggzie]

My Fav lens would have to be my Tokina AT-X SD 150-500mm f5.6 ... Ive had it for about 16/17 years and I still love it.
Next on my list in a close 2nd would be my 50mm f1.4

[rookie2]

70 -200 VR is on my D200 90% of time - along with TC 17EII if theres any sporting action. Just a great lens allround IMHO (thanks Heath all those years ago!! )

I was getting to like the 17-55 2.8 before it was stolen last year - I still haven't had the funds to get a new one but now may hold off and get the 24 -70 one day.

For me its not about the glass - my (few) good pics are all ass - with time I hope to redress this imbalance!!

[adam]

My current favourites:

1) 70-200 f/2.8L IS... this has been my magical lens for just over the past 2 years. Magical because I can point it at anything and it makes it look good Nice focal length, solidly built, fast, the IS is great and it makes nice photographs (it's the gear, not the photographer )

2) 35mm f/1.4L... my other magic lens... for only a month so far. It's so lovely, fast and sharp. It makes me happy when I see the images from it, so I like to use it

[norbs]

Canon 80-200 f/2.8L.

[jdear]

my favourite lenses:

Canon 50mm/1.2L - this lense is ridiculously good at sucking in light... its 50mm on my 5D and just about 85mm on the 30D. I could just about shoot a whole wedding with this lense.

Canon 100mm/2.8 Macro - Im a sucker for sharp, close focusing lenses

Canon 70-200/2.8L IS - as mentioned before

[Oneputt]

It used to the old kit lens 18-70, wonderfully versatile. It is now the 28-70 2.8 which is a wonderful bit of gear. The only drawback with it, is that combined with the D3 it is a heavy combo.

[glennles]

I've been enjoying the 80-200 that Craig mentioned he sold. I haven't really given my Nikon 12-24 (thanks OnePutt ) a good go yet but I think it will become a favourite too.

[virgal_tracy]

At present, 50mm 1.8 plastic fantastic. It sits on the D200 nicely. Having recently acquired the 85mm 1.8 it is auditioning for role of favourite. I agree though that the option of interchangeable lenses means that there is a number of favourites depending on the circumstances.

Next on the shopping list 70 -200 2.8 and 80 - 400 for different reasons.

[stubbsy]

Patrick - a great question and a fascinating thread to read.

My favourite lens is my 10.5 DX fisheye, but it's not my most used nor is it one I couldn't do without. So why the difference (other than my personal semantics )

The 10.5 is my favourite because it allows me to push the boundaries of my photography. It can do cool distorted shots (Killakoala's recent bumble bee shot is a great example) or it can get me landscape shots not possible with even my 12-24 (duh!) with minimal distortion. Of course it's a challenging lens to use (and to not over use), but that's part of why it's a favourite.

As for most used/couldn't live without - in order I'd say the 28-70 f2.8 and the 17-35 f2.8. Both are ultra fast high quality glass. Both are wonderful everyday lenses (the 28-70 is a whisker more versatile with it's longer range) and both produce clear, sharp as a tack images with wonderful bokeh.

[Onyx]

...I recently acquired a Nikkor 18-55 II (the kit lens for a D40x)...

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that likes this lens. In fact, once I got it I stopped using the 18-70mm kit lens from the D70. It is by far the lens I use most underwater.

I know, Ken Rockwell was right - and not for the first time...

[MATT]

I would say favorite would be the 50 1.4, great combo with the D300, low light goodness(is that a word?). Would love the 85 1.4 ..Would also like a sigma 30 1.4...

Can I add a driving me crazy lens?? It would be the 80-400VR I get some great images and heaps of poor ones.. So I know its user error....

MATT

[Smurph]

Sigma 30 1.4: Great lens. I bought it as a travel lens, with every intention of selling when I got back, but no I like it too much.
and a close second:
Sigma 15-30: PRetty much the same zoom, range, but on the D2x and D200 with their 1.5 crop, this works out to be great for a lot of events that I shoot seeing as it is actually a 21-45mm. That and the quality is easily as good as (if not better) than any 'L' series.

Summicron 50 2.8: What can I say? One of the best lenses in the world, for one of the best cameras in the world. Long live Leica!

[BT*ist]

I think the lens I most enjoy having on my camera is my Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro. Great for portraits, great for macros, sharp and fast.

After that, probably my Pentax 50mm f1.4: taking indoor portaits in low light without flash is a dream (or at least possible!) with this lens. Then, surprisingly perhaps, my el cheapo Sigma 70-300mm dual kit-lens... err... lens. No, it's not fast... but after a weekend at the A1GP, and a stint in the nosebleed section of Stadium Australia at last year's Sydney FC vs LA Galaxy game with basically just that one lens on the K10D, and using the inbuilt shake reduction, I was very pleased with the results. It gets a good workout on holidays too.

[who]

Nikkor 28-70 f2.8 is my favorite....

I like what the Sigma 10-20 can do, but it just isn't the same.

And it is a heavy enough combo on the D200, and gets me taken as being a "pro"

[Yi-P]

For me, the Nikkor 28-70 stays on as general lens, use this about 60% of the time.

but, THE 85mm f/1.4 is my favourite lens by all means. Anything that I have time to move around and think about my shots, this is the one.

[Geoff]

85mm 1.4 followed closely by the 70-200VR 2.8 then the 17-55DX 2.8.

Great topic.

[colin_12]

I love my nikon 105 macro. I mostly shoot flowers and it is just a dream for me.
I don't see this changing to soon.
Then I should be honest and mention that my only other lens until today, just got my 85 1.8 from Poon, was the 18-70 kit lense.
I have never been as happy with it as I could be.
The 85 has given great sharp shots from the get go.

This is a very interesting read, and a great topic

Regards Colin

[big pix]

well the one that I use the most is my kit lens..... 18-70 that came with my D70, it is just a good all round lens, and I guess my 18-200 gets an equal workout, as I use it as a walk about lens. Since getting the D300 I have found that the 18-200 is a much sharper lens and quicker to focus....... the rest of my kit, I suite the lens to what I am shooting and this does vary a lot in subject matter and lens.........

[wendellt]

the 85 f1.4 produces unique results
i'ver also taken mine apart and reassembled it twice, had water and condensation in it and dropped it from a reasonable
and it still works like a charm
the best lens ever

[fozzie]

Now let me think about this question for awhile...nuh - Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/2.8 ED II
I am a 'BIG CAT' shooter at Adelaide and Monarto Zoo's, so for the time being this will do with the aid of the TC-14EII.

fozzie

[MCWB]

Hmm really depends what I'm shooting! It comes down to three for me, these lenses I actually look forward to using.

Sigma 30mm f/1.4: Amazing for low light stuff when you want to avoid flash. Like the Noct-Nikkors this one is at its prime wide-open or stopped down only slightly but even so is very sharp.

Nikkor 70-200 VR: This lens just performs, period! Tack sharp, lightning fast AF and gorgeous bokeh. Classic, not much else to be said! AI Nikkor 105mm f/2.5: Sounding like a broken record here, but tack sharp, lovely bokeh... snail-slow MF! I don't use this lens anywhere near enough for the beautiful results it delivers.

[ozimax]

Canon 70-200 F2.8. I can only imagine how good this lens would be on a 5D or a 1Dxxx. It is an amazing all rounder, tack sharp and versatile.

As for fun-per-buck, I can't say enough about the Canon 10-22mm. It is sharp, gives wacky results and the colours are amazing.

Ozi.

[hoffy]

I'm sure not many of you are going to get these, but my favourite lenses are ancient Minolta (well, around 20 years old anyway) glass.

Minolta 50mm F1.7 - came as a "thrown in" lens when I bought an oldish Minolta Film camera 10 years ago.
Minolta 70-210 F4 - the old "beercan". Again, a 20 year old lens, but I love the sharpness, the Bokeh. Only hassle is the CA that you get from the older glass, but I can live with that

[seeto.centric]

70-200VR.. awesome on the D70s, even better on the D300

-j

[shakey]

70-300 G. Stops the bills from flying off the desk when I turn the fan on. However I must remember to not turn the fan on to high setting, otherwise 70-300 G falls over.

[Viz]

very, very soon, my ambiguity will be changing to a definite favourite...

[shutterbug]

50mmf1.4

[cawdor]

My #1 favourite is my Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VR. I don't think I need to elaborate, we all know this baby.
Recently I have also taken quite a liking to the Sigma 18-50 2.8, very sharp and if I'm not doing telephoto action shots this one is on the D300 most of the time.

[chrisk]

hands down, nifty fifty. light, sharp and fast.

[MarkW]

17-35 for the clarity and the 80-400 to actually get you there - both great peices of glass.

[Benny2707]

Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 for sure.

It's on my camera more than anything and is razor sharp. I love it.

[Mr Darcy]

Without a doubt, the one that's on the camera when that shot of a lifetime shows itself.

[joey]

All 3 lenses I have are my favourites. I don't keep the lenses I don't like or I don't use often.
I bought and sold the kit lens 18-70mm and 85mm AF-D f/1.8.