your goto everyday lens and why?

[Anthonyhnj]

Pretty great responses so far. I don't know why, but I'm always amazed as to what people shoot with and what's in their camera bag. Wats good for me may not be good for you, and what's good for you is not always good for me.  In the end though, It's all about taking pictures, and what is pleasing to you.

In my bag I have a 6d, 17-40, 24-105, 70-200 f4, and the 100 macro non L (still on the fence about this lens, may have gotten a bad copy, amazon is sending a new one. If I'm still not happy with it, I may get the 100 macro L)

Anthony

[TLN]

Canon 5d Mark II + 35L mostly.
Got 80-200 as tele lens and 85/1.4 for portraits.

[Don Haines]

(I usually ride my bike slowly thru my hometown... along the river... only one lens [+body] sitting in my backpack.)

I was surprised by the lens choice as well, however this is hard to argue with, it sounds like a nice day 
... except for me, it would be a nice convertible, but that's details 

+1. Was surprised too and it's a great day for a drive in my convertible.

It's snowing and -9C here..... think I'll pass on the convertible....

If out for birds the goto lens is a 120-400 f5.6, which will get replaced when canon comes out with a newer version of the 400 f5.6 or an affordable (for me) longer lens.

If hiking it's an 18-200....
[/quote]

[kbmelb]

50L

It is the all around focal length. Even when I shoot with my 24-70 my shots are right around (+-) 50mm.
I definitely prefer prime to zoom. A zoom gives me too much freedom and I tend to try to get EVERYTHING in the frame. Prime says, this is what you got and the moment is now, makes something of it.

I'd prefer my 85L, but sometimes it is too long and sometimes it's MFD is too far.

[LewisShermer]

50mm 1.4 on 5Diii

no matter what lenses I take to do anything I end up just sticking the 50mm on and it seems to get exactly what I want from it. if I'm using the 24-105 I end up getting annoyed and take it off, if I'm using a 70-300 I end up getting annoyed and take it off. I shoot everything with it. It's crazy.

It used to be 28mm 1.8 on my 7D. A little wider side by side and a bit more forgiving on the DOF but when I bought the 5D I couldn't use a crop sensor as a back up as the focal lengths just make no sense when swapping quickly between bodies. the curse of the 5Diii, you never want/need to use anything else. I bought a 2nd hand 5Dii as a second body and that's only been used to test if it works even though I planned on doing weddings with both and not having to swap lenses over. I sold everything crop and EF-s including an ultra wide as landscapes generally escape me or hate me.

the only time I ever reach for the 24-105 is for the groups and it bores the hell out of me. maybe I'd get on better with the 24-70 2.8 shooting around f3.5.

I feel like I'm cheating on the 28mm now, it's like the girl you've always had around that's great but then the 50mm turns up and steals the show. I'd equate the 24-105 being the lady of questionable morals in a bag of lenses that you should really avoid unless absolutely necessary... 70-300, she's not pretty but sometimes that's what you need to get the job done.

[AudioGlenn]

50mm 1.4 on 5Diii

no matter what lenses I take to do anything I end up just sticking the 50mm on and it seems to get exactly what I want from it. if I'm using the 24-105 I end up getting annoyed and take it off, if I'm using a 70-300 I end up getting annoyed and take it off. I shoot everything with it. It's crazy.

It used to be 28mm 1.8 on my 7D. A little wider side by side and a bit more forgiving on the DOF but when I bought the 5D I couldn't use a crop sensor as a back up as the focal lengths just make no sense when swapping quickly between bodies. the curse of the 5Diii, you never want/need to use anything else. I bought a 2nd hand 5Dii as a second body and that's only been used to test if it works even though I planned on doing weddings with both and not having to swap lenses over. I sold everything crop and EF-s including an ultra wide as landscapes generally escape me or hate me.

the only time I ever reach for the 24-105 is for the groups and it bores the hell out of me. maybe I'd get on better with the 24-70 2.8 shooting around f3.5.

I feel like I'm cheating on the 28mm now, it's like the girl you've always had around that's great but then the 50mm turns up and steals the show. I'd equate the 24-105 being the lady of questionable morals in a bag of lenses that you should really avoid unless absolutely necessary... 70-300, she's not pretty but sometimes that's what you need to get the job done.

I love the analogies.

Personally, it's very hard for me to pick just ONE lens.  It depends on the situation. 

A day at Disneyland, I want my young and skinny 40mm. 

Studio portraits, and wedding candids, I want the 70-200 2.8 IS II all day (my "big, busty, and beautiful").

Casual shooting: the 24-70 II, plain but effective

Night time events, low light w/o flash, the 35 L (my late night mistress)

[wayno]

35 L

It has the best AF of the shortish fast primes, really sharp and really creamy bokeh and it's not as wide as the 24 which tend to be overdramatic for most everyday shots. And the 50 isn't wide enough to give that uniqe look. Small and light and juuuust fantastic.

I completely agree.

[LewisShermer]

50mm 1.4 on 5Diii

no matter what lenses I take to do anything I end up just sticking the 50mm on and it seems to get exactly what I want from it. if I'm using the 24-105 I end up getting annoyed and take it off, if I'm using a 70-300 I end up getting annoyed and take it off. I shoot everything with it. It's crazy.

It used to be 28mm 1.8 on my 7D. A little wider side by side and a bit more forgiving on the DOF but when I bought the 5D I couldn't use a crop sensor as a back up as the focal lengths just make no sense when swapping quickly between bodies. the curse of the 5Diii, you never want/need to use anything else. I bought a 2nd hand 5Dii as a second body and that's only been used to test if it works even though I planned on doing weddings with both and not having to swap lenses over. I sold everything crop and EF-s including an ultra wide as landscapes generally escape me or hate me.

the only time I ever reach for the 24-105 is for the groups and it bores the hell out of me. maybe I'd get on better with the 24-70 2.8 shooting around f3.5.

I feel like I'm cheating on the 28mm now, it's like the girl you've always had around that's great but then the 50mm turns up and steals the show. I'd equate the 24-105 being the lady of questionable morals in a bag of lenses that you should really avoid unless absolutely necessary... 70-300, she's not pretty but sometimes that's what you need to get the job done.

I love the analogies.

Personally, it's very hard for me to pick just ONE lens.  It depends on the situation. 

A day at Disneyland, I want my young and skinny 40mm. 

Studio portraits, and wedding candids, I want the 70-200 2.8 IS II all day (my "big, busty, and beautiful").

Casual shooting: the 24-70 II, plain but effective

Night time events, low light w/o flash, the 35 L (my late night mistress)

I did go a little deeper on my first draft of that post but I ended up toning it down somewhat... these are modern times, gentlemen. It's not the 70's any more and it's no longer acceptable to slap your secretary on the arse and call her sugartits when you send her to make the coffee. We've learnt that the hard way. I thought I'd spare the ladies my bawdy outbursts that so often let down my professionalism. you should have read what I'd written about the lensbaby composer and totty in little black dresses...

[iaind]

24-105 f4L covers most situations.

I usually travel with more than 1 body and quite a few other L series lenses 

[RS2021]

I love the analogies.

Personally, it's very hard for me to pick just ONE lens.  It depends on the situation. 

A day at Disneyland, I want my young and skinny 40mm. 

Studio portraits, and wedding candids, I want the 70-200 2.8 IS II all day (my "big, busty, and beautiful").

Casual shooting: the 24-70 II, plain but effective

Night time events, low light w/o flash, the 35 L (my late night mistress)

I am absolutely NOT advocating getting these, just wanted to continue the analogies post above

35L is the older prim capable secretary... time-tested, totally dependable, trustworthy, a bit long in the tooth...she's been with the firm for nearly 10 years.

135L is the reasonably priced call girl, technically perfect, does a lot of stuff the wife doesn't do (get your mind out off the gutter guys! I am talking optics here).

50L is the ex wife... was great one minute but shifted the next... PMS mood swings that ruined the marriage. We had to part.

85L is of course the trophy wife... doesn't cook or clean, pretty to look at, big chest that you paid for through the nose, turns heads, and great to show off at the corporate party.

[Stewbyyy]

My goto everyday lens has been the Sigma 24-60mm F/2.8 for as long as I can remember. I absolutely love it on my 1D Mark IIN, so much so, I've seen no need to buy a Canon 24-70mm F/2.8L. It's light, compact and the sharpest lens I own (Sharper than my 70-200mm F/2.8L non-IS and 300mm F/4L).

I love to shoot wide or move myself in closer if I need a tighter shot.

[bholliman]

Depends.

If I'm outdoors its the 24-105 L normally on my camera.  It's versatile enough to handle landscapes and outdoor sports or portraits.

Indoors it the 50 1.4.  Great low-light all purpose lens.

[Mr Bean]

For a general, outdoorsy lens, the 40mm pancake is great. Sharp and inconspicuous. For low light, the 50mm 1.4, at the moment. That may change when I get the 24mm 1.4

[DanielW]

Lots of expensive answers here...   
On my 60D, both the 50mm f/1.4 and the 17-55mm f/2.8. The 50 when I want something lighter, and the 17-55 when I need versatility. A Fuji X20 will most likely be my everyday camera, though, and the dSLR (a 7Dm2, perhaps?) will be reserved for more challenging or special occasions, or when I have planned a shot beforehand.

[RS2021]

Lots of expensive answers here...   

Don't let these put you off... my first answer used rather simple combo and by no means they have to be L's! Any general purpose zoom plus one standard lens is a good deal for me. The second post with a listing was simply a joke to follow up on "analogies" post someone started.

The best lens is the one you have mounted and ready to go...not some pie-in-the-sky object that you have to fork out big bucks for.
Cheers!