Lenses that inspire you?

[RobertG.]

TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II

I use this lens to correct converging verticals. However, I keep using it as much as possible. So I have to use my feet and pay more attention to composition. It is interesting that although I carry a lot of my lenses in my bag when I put a fixed lens (especially this one) I try to make the most of it instead of putting back my standard zoom (a 24-105).

+1!

Same for me!

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Seems like there is a consensus that those who own 200mm f/2L IS lenses are inspired by them.  For anyone who wants inspiration (and doesn't mind owning a lens that is in less-than-pristine condition), it is available in 7/10 condition at lensrentals for $4400 shipped:

http://www.lensrentals.com/buy/canon/canon-200mm-f2l-is-serial-number-13206

thanks for the heads up! now to convince them to send it to australia! last time they said they wont sell to oz

They likely would, if you sent them cash via Western Union.  However, my experience with shipping things Internationally, is that they get beat up badly, and, its expensive.  I'd send it in a wooden crate or box with lots of padding, at least 4 inches on all sides.  But, shipping might then cost more than the lens.

[wickidwombat]

Seems like there is a consensus that those who own 200mm f/2L IS lenses are inspired by them.  For anyone who wants inspiration (and doesn't mind owning a lens that is in less-than-pristine condition), it is available in 7/10 condition at lensrentals for $4400 shipped:

http://www.lensrentals.com/buy/canon/canon-200mm-f2l-is-serial-number-13206

thanks for the heads up! now to convince them to send it to australia! last time they said they wont sell to oz

They likely would, if you sent them cash via Western Union.  However, my experience with shipping things Internationally, is that they get beat up badly, and, its expensive.  I'd send it in a wooden crate or box with lots of padding, at least 4 inches on all sides.  But, shipping might then cost more than the lens.

I checked its 200 bucks for fedex which is pretty decent

[smithy]

Sigma 85 1.4. Love the field of view, bokeh, quality, everything. Challenges me to make a photo worthy of this lens.

This one for me too

+1.  For a lens that costs less than half the price of the f/1.2L, it does an amazing job and it's so well built.

[pwp]

After coming close to selling my Sigma 50mm f/1.4 I've rediscovered a great lens when it's hooked up to the 5DIII. Performance on the 1D Mk4 was patchy to say the least, inconsistent AF accuracy made it a non-starter for commercial work. It was gathering dust in the store room...

But on the 5DIII with its frankly astounding AF has brought this great lens back into the fold. Any shot where I have not nailed focus is user-error rather than any issue with the lens. I'm inspired! It's fun. On the strength of this I may well take a fresh look at the Sigma 85mm f/1.4.

Wickidwombat, you may just have worn me down with your consistant enthusiasm for the Sigma 85. Where did you get yours?

PW

[wickidwombat]

After coming close to selling my Sigma 50mm f/1.4 I've rediscovered a great lens when it's hooked up to the 5DIII. Performance on the 1D Mk4 was patchy to say the least, inconsistent AF accuracy made it a non-starter for commercial work. It was gathering dust in the store room...

But on the 5DIII with its frankly astounding AF has brought this great lens back into the fold. Any shot where I have not nailed focus is user-error rather than any issue with the lens. I'm inspired! It's fun. On the strength of this I may well take a fresh look at the Sigma 85mm f/1.4.

Wickidwombat, you may just have worn me down with your consistant enthusiasm for the Sigma 85. Where did you get yours?

PW

I bought mine local at a bricks and mortar store which is good considering I had to send it in for focus calibration but since then its been good as gold they are under $900 now which is a good deal considering how good they are I just got a 50 1.4 the new one its good too not as good as the 85 but much better than the canon 1.4

[Mick]

Canon 70-200 2.8 mk2 and sigma 85 1.4. The siggy is pretty well built, focus speed is ok but nothing special, never take it out in the rain either. But....the bokeh is amazing, it's pin sharp even at 1.4 it's excellent. You get very very creative blowing foreground and backgrounds.

The Canon? Well what can I say. I took it out yesterday for its first outing. It was attached to a 1d4. It's built like a tank but from the outside looks identical to the old one. Focus speed was immediate on the 4, never used a lens this quick. The sharpness is utterly amazing, even wide open. Then the heavens opened. I'm talking monsoon like rain. All the other photographers with none pro bodies, dozens of em, scurried of to find cover and watch one lone wet photographer standing in the street with a long white lens. Very funny. The 200 never missed a beat. It got drenched for an hour and worked perfectly. So I tested the claimed four stops. Well. I took some shots, hand held 200 mm at a 60th in the rain and got a lot of keepers.

One amazing lens.

Mick

[RLPhoto]

A lens that inspires? Err, I think photographers use a lens to get what they inspired in their brains.

[Studio1930]

85 f/1.2L II
200 f/2L
135 f/2L

Love and use them all!

-Darrin
Studio 1930
www.studio1930.com

[JR]

1- 50L f1.2
2- 85L f1.2 II
3- 70-200L f2.8 IS II

This may surprise many but my favorite is by far the 50 1.2.  At least this is the one I use the most for indoor shooting.  I shoot both Canon and Nikon now, but I find there is no NIkon equivalent to the first two above.  The two f1.2 from Canon are in a class of their own...

[bchernicoff]

But on the 5DIII with its frankly astounding AF has brought this great lens back into the fold. Any shot where I have not nailed focus is user-error rather than any issue with the lens. I'm inspired! It's fun. On the strength of this I may well take a fresh look at the Sigma 85mm f/1.4.
PW

I sold my Sigma 50mm 1.4 after having too much AF frustration on 5D Mk II. I'm glad to hear that it performs much better on the MK III. I may have to give it another look.

I LOVE my Sigma 85mm 1.4. The design is similar to their 50 1.4 which means that the focusing barrel is enclosed when a filter is attached. I previously owned the Canon 1.2 L II and found the gap between the focusing barrel and the main lens alarming. The AF on the 85 is much better than the Canon and better than the Sigma 50 by far. You will not regret buying this lens. So sharp, and so much color and contrast. I bought mine from Abe's of Maine.

[Wideopen]

A lens that inspires? Err, I think photographers use a lens to get what they inspired in their brains.

+1...i look at other peoples pix for inspiration and if need be get/rent a lens to get the effect. I really like my tse24 and 8-16 sigma tho