1. 24mm f/1.4 L II
2. 135mm f/2 L or Sigma 85mm f/1.4
3. 400mm f/4 DO
Those would probably be the only lenses I would actually need. (Update: that was lie, except for a few types of events. I need a lot more lenses than that to cover everything I do.) If a new 135m f/1.8 L comes out, I would go with that. Right now I might actually lean towards the Sigma for the second lens. Of course, the 400mm f/2.8 II would be nice along side #3, but really folks, if I am hunting around through the woods for miles, I am going to regret not choosing the DO lens.
I would long to add a fourth lens, the 200mm f/2.0, but I definitely need the first two lenses on the list, and I need a long lens, so if I had just three, the precious 200mm would have to go. Bummer.
The moral of the story is that three lenses are not enough.
My personal comment is that I find those prime lenses to be much more versatile than zooms. Please take a deep breath and try the 24mm rather than the 16-35mm, for example. It will make you into a better photographer. The same for the 85mm rather than the 24-70mm. I never use my 24-70mm lens. One camera with the 24mm and one with the 85mm blows away any competitors who are standing there with wimpy 24-70mm lenses. No client or photo editor would choose their pictures after they had seen mine. Trust me.
As far as the 50mm classic lens, that is just what someone would need if they had one lens. Don't be superstitious. (This comment wasn't aimed at the poster who just posted a 50mm on their list. I was writing my post at the same time. I am just saying that if I put the 50mm onto my list, it will just push out a lens that would do a better specific job. So there is no reason to include it.)
