If you could only have three lenses...

[Grumbaki]

like 90% of responders
-24-70 L II
- 70 200 2.8 IS II
- random fast prime of choice (for me it'll be 35 1.4)

Would a 14-24 exists it would make a very probable trio too to cover 14-200.

 

[verysimplejason]

Three lenses? Yeah, I'd freak out, and quit shooting...otherwise, for video and stills, 17 TS-E, Zeiss 50/2 Makro-Planar, Zeiss 135/2 APO Sonnar...and a 1Dx Body.

Why use a 1DX body for manual focus lenses? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of having 1DX? Why not a 5D3 instead? With ML, you can get some very good raw video aside from high resolution stills.

 

[FTb-n]

Assuming FF, specifically 5D3:

EF 70-200 f2.8L IS Mark II
EF 24-105 f4.0L IS
EF 35 f2.0 IS

...and that new 40mm pancake body cap ;D

 

[bdunbar79]

24-70 f/2.8 II
70-200 f/2.8 IS II
200-400 f/4 IS 1.4X

This.

 

[RGF]

Canon 70-200 F2.8 II
Canon 200-400 F2.8

Macro is the challenge - can I have diopter w/o counting as a lens or an extension tube.

If not, 180 macro

If so, 24-70 F2.8 II

 

[applecider]

canon 600f4 is ii usm
canon 300f2.8 is ii usm
canon 24-70 f2.8 ii

More of a wildlife package
Extenders, extension tubes count as lenses?

 

[Dylan777]

I use to think:
1. 16-35 f2.8 II
2. 24-70 f2.8 II
3. 70-200 f2.8 IS II

Well, now I'm working on 2nd set, primes:
1. 50L
2. 135L
3. 85L II - next on my purchase list
4. 14L - might replace my 16-35 f2.8 II with this lens

 

[RC]

My choice:

Canon 16-35 f/2.8 L
Canon 24-70 f/2.8 L II
Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS II

Yip, I'd have to go with these 3 if I was forced to choose only 3. (I'm assuming the 16-35 is also the mk II)

 

[florianbieler.de]

I use to think:
1. 16-35 f2.8 II
2. 24-70 f2.8 II
3. 70-200 f2.8 IS II

I'm more of a prime guy but when I had to go with three this would be the clear decision.

 

[cycomachead]

Assuming full frame:

Versatility: The MkII zoom trinity.

I might replace the 24-70 with the 50 1.2, though.

If I'm doing primes:
24 1.4L II, the 50 1.2L and the 200 f2L.
(I could possible swap the 24 for the 14… Tough choice!)

Crop sensor:
Would probably be the same, except I'd use the 10-22, and definitely the 14mm over the 24. (The others would probably be the same. Maybe the Sigma 35mm instead of the 50…).

Fortunately, I don't have to restrict myself to only 3 lenses… (Not that I even own all of these!)

 

[Dick]

3 lenses...

1. Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG A - The best 35mm lens? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, but I like it!
2. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM - The versatility is mind boggling!
3. (no idea... most likely a tele, which I don't have yet)

Fortunately, I don't have to restrict myself to only 3 lenses… (Not that I even own all of these!)

On the other hand limiting yourself to 3 lenses could actually mean that you can carry all your main gear with you and not randomly leave lenses behind. I often find myself in a situation where the lens I'd need is at home.

 

[kbmelb]

16-35 2.8L II, 50 1.2L, and 70-200 2.8L II.

I don't own the 70-200 but in the scenario that I could only have 3 lenses I'd pick it up as the the 3rd.

If I had to go with what is already in my kit the 135 2.0L would replace the 70-200.

 

[barracuda]

It would have to be:

16-35 2.8L II
24-70 2.8L II
70-200mm 2.8L IS II

Let me have a fourth lens... then it would have to be the Sigma 35mm 1.4 DG A

 

[wayno]

24-70ii, 70-200ii and a 35 1.4- either the L or the Sigma.
I'm a bit bored of UWA and could probably live without it.

 

[Cannon Man]

I shoot very little if any video so i'll have to answer my 3 perfect lenses for photography only.

TS-E 24mm 3.5L II
TS-E 45mm 2.8L II (i know its not out yet but its heavily rumoured already)
85mm 1.2L II USM

Can't think of a better 3 lens combo. Perfect image quality out of all of these.
Just waiting for the new TS-E lenses to arrive!

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

1. Canon 24-70 II
2. Canon 70-300L
3. Canon 300 2.8 IS (+ 1.4x TC +2x TC )
4. Canon 100L

I'm glad I can't count . And that I cheat .

 

[cervantes]

16-35 f2.8L II
100 f2.8 Macro
500 f4 L II

Because I think it's important not to make the pictures everyone makes.

 

[docholliday]

Three lenses? Yeah, I'd freak out, and quit shooting...otherwise, for video and stills, 17 TS-E, Zeiss 50/2 Makro-Planar, Zeiss 135/2 APO Sonnar...and a 1Dx Body.

Why use a 1DX body for manual focus lenses? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of having 1DX? Why not a 5D3 instead? With ML, you can get some very good raw video aside from high resolution stills.

I don't like any of the 5 series bodies - too small and too light. The heavier the body, the more steady I can hold it. Notice the "Hasselblad"...I shot a 203FE with 110/2 and 180/4 CFE handheld down to 1/2s. I like the weight, it makes it nice, even after shooting 8 hours. That, and I don't like the mode 'dial' and layout, detachable grips, and other things about the 5's. I also prefer the larger battery and gigabit ethernet of the 1Dx. I also like that I can share my accessories with my 1VHS when needed for B&W work. I shoot tethered a lot, but sometimes do require high FPS, just not focus tracking. If I needed autofocus and was restricted to 3 lenses, I'd probably have a bunch of Contax autofocus N lenses converted by Conurus.

I could care less for video...if I did, I'd shoot motion picture - Arri Alexa is my choice if I have to do that. That way, my 3 lenses would be PL mount Zeiss Master Primes - I don't like focus breathing. I actually would like a 40mp 1-series that didn't have any video functions - probably why I'll end up changing systems to Hasselblad H.

 

[dslrdummy]

Replace my 24-105 with the 24-70 2.8ii, keep my 70-200 2.8ii and add the 300 2.8ii. With my two extenders, just about does it all for me.

 

[sanj]

If you could only have three lenses...

...I'd freak out. Totally.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAA