I'm done - I have all the lenses I need

[Loswr]

Almost few times a week I am considering whether I need Canon 16-35 mm 2.8L II lens as I like landscape photography, however such lenses are quite expensive. Also, my dream is to upgrade by changing my 7D into 5DMk3.

I would not even consider buying the 16-35L II for use on a 7D. Get the Canon EF-S 10-22mm, the Sigma 8-16mm or the Tokina 11-16/2.8.

If/when you get a FF body, sell the APS-C ultrawide.

I just wanted to ask people in this forum who own expensive tele lenses: is it your hobby or you buy them because they are absolutely required for your daily work?

Definitely a hobby. A good day job is the reason I can afford to spend what I do on this hobby.

 

[mb66energy]

Almost few times a week I am considering whether I need Canon 16-35 mm 2.8L II lens as I like landscape photography, however such lenses are quite expensive. Also, my dream is to upgrade by changing my 7D into 5DMk3. However, photography is my hobby only and do not any cent from it (already spent around EUR 10,000 for my photo equipment). Also, I would like to have one of super tele lens but their costs are not justifiable for me

I am too dreaming about FF but after using a tripod for some photographs in a sunlit (but still dim) forest I see that the 18 MPix of my 600D match the lens (70-200 4 USM, non-IS) - 40x60cm prints (16x24 inch) are very detailed and I cannot see any flaws. Why go for a FF cam? Higher ISO? Doesn't help, I needed f/11 and 0.5 sec exposure time.

I just wanted to ask people in this forum who own expensive tele lenses: is it your hobby or you buy them because they are absolutely required for your daily work?

In terms of supertele: I decided for a EF 5.6 400 and it isa really great lens but ... 400mm is often too much so the 70-200 is my main tele. And with FF it will loose it's reach. For me 1200 EUR was expensive for an item which will never pay itself - but it's cost is moderate compared to a EF 2.8 300 so there are opportunities for good compromises.

 

[mb66energy]

In terms of EF lenses I think I am well equipped (except for sports/action at longer focal lengths).

After checking the quality of my FD lenses* I see a clear winner: The FD 1.4 50 S.S.C. which delivers very good IQ wide open and brilliant IQ @ f/2.8. Other FD lenses are far away from it's quality except the FD 3.5 50 S.S.C. Macro. My 4.0 17, 2.5 135, 3.5 135, 4.0 200, 4.0 300 FD lenses are inferior but the 4.0 17 makes a good video lens thanks to its great focusing ring.
Now I am interested in a FD 2.0 24 S.S.C., so there is a chance that I have not enough lenses ...

* With a recently bought EOS M and adapter

 

[wayno]

Interesting... I got to this point earlier in the year when I purchased the 24-70ii. Apart from a random wish for the 24 TS (not biting yet and not too fussed really) or a 300 2.8 which I don't really need and can't afford anyway, I'm rather chuffed to not be compelled to fork out for new gear. It's a good feeling and means I can spend money on other things for a change

 

[WPJ]

Wow, you have a me kit.

I would say I'm about half there. I have a great set of glass which I appreciate very much there is a few really want to have and a few would be really nice to haves on my list but nothing in the next while since I gt a fair number of kit lenses this year.

17-40L/f4 - Great budget wide angle I use for sun rise/sets, landscapes and for my kids indoors. Yes the 16-35ii would be better burst 3x the cost - compromise made.

25-105L/f4 - Great all round general lens, used for indoor and outdoor general walk about lens. This replaced my original 18-200efs lens which my son (7) now uses as his big zoom. I don't think as a general lens I could go for the 24-70 it might be f2.8 but I like the more reach of the 105

70-200L/f2.8 M2 - awesome walk about zoom and I also use this as my close up soccer lens on my second D7. I found a great deal on a barley used one I could not refuse.

300L/f2.8 IS M1 - sweet lens for the soccer field again hot a great deal on a well used lens I could not refuse. Unless I fall into money its a keeper as I can't justify the upgrade at more than twice the cost for the mark 2.

so the above is my general consumption lenses. Below are my specially non everyday lenses.

18-200efs - my sons general lens he loves the reach, I would to if I was 7 and had a zoom like this.

50/f1.8 M2 - nice for playing with, I'm not a prime shooter but it is nice to play around with f1.8 sometimes.

100/f2 Macro - I love this as a macro and a portrait kens, when I go back and review I always think wow primes are so sweet...but damn you have to change a lot of lenses in a day.

100-400L - my first Tele lens it was great but not used as much now that I have the 70-200 and the 300. Keeping it for a travel lens.

now for the want list to be complete.

16-35m2 as an upgrade to 17-40
8-15 - I live fish eye to okay with.
180l macro for more reach
200/f2 - just cause it would be nice
400/f2.8 - what ever mark I can get my hands on the soccer field will be getting bigger soon.
600 - for outdoor stuff
800 - for outdoor stuff - loto win only
40mm pancake just cause I think its cute.

1.4 and 2x extenders to hold off the 400 and 600.
maybe a few other primes

1 tilt shift to make those mini city photos.
so like I said in about half way there but now on a very big up hill road.

 

[surapon]

Thanks, or maybe no thanks to a canonpricewatch.com alert I set up, I just snagged a refurbished TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II at 20% off.

With that, I'm done. Really. I have all the lenses I'll ever need to own. I can rent longer super teles, other TS-Es, etc. for jobs or projects.

It's taken me a long time to figure out what I need, but I have and I'm so happy to have completed it

My lenses and uses are as follows:

24 1.4L II - I love 24mm, it's my favorite and most used FL, period. The f/1.4 rocks for events and landscapes, and it's nice & small.

TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II - I have more and more architectural work coming my way and TS-Es just can't be beat. I don't like in a big city or shoot interiors much, so 24mm is ideal, plus I can use polarizers and ND filters with ease. I borrowed one from CPS and loved it, but didn't have much time to perfect it. I was very sad to return it once I realized how amazing tilt-shift movements can be.

85 1.2L II - the 50 1.2 and 135 2 are great, but I found the 85 to be more versatile for all types of portraits, and I think it's THE people lens.

180 3.5L Macro - I prefer the longer working distance, included tripod ring, and compression over the 100L. Plus it has the very best color of any Canon lens, IMHO.

300 2.8L IS II - I went for this over the bigger lenses as it's far more versatile (300, 420, and 600) and truly hand-holdable. No gimbal needed, just more patience and skill requireed to get closer to wildlife. I'll rent the 600 or 800 as needed.

Extenders 1.4x III & 2x III - both work awesome with the 180 3.5L Macro, 300 2.8L IS II and 70-200 2.8L IS II

16-35 2.8L II - I don't love this lens as much, but it is very versatile for architecture, landscape, and events

24-70 2.8L II - Perfect do it all zoom #1

70-200 2.8L IS II - Perfect do it all zoom #2

I'm sure I sound a bit nuts , but I'd like to thank that I have all I need to own. Has anyone else "completed" their lens kit?

Dear Sir, Mr.mackguyver.
Ha, Ha, Ha--------You and Me still missing One, as shown on the attached Photo---You miss the EF 1200 MM, And I miss the Beautiful Lady, who hold the big Lens----No, We not Complete yet, So Far.
Have a great Night, Sir.
Surapon

 

[Andy_Hodapp]

All I need is a Nikon 14-24mm F/2.8, Canon 24-70mm F/2.8 II, Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 IS II and Sigma 200-500mm F/2.8, that will cover from 14-500mm at F/2.8, will also need a tilt and shift, a macro and a 85mm 1.2 II. That should only cost a total of about $40,000.

 

[extremeinstability]

I'm finally about there after bouncing back and forth from crop to full frame, over not being able to get good enough glass for the full frame.

For the 6D I now have

Samyang 14 which is really silly good...sharper and less coma than Canon 14
Zeiss 21 which is hard to beat.
Samyang 24 F1.4 just for fast fast wide night and not coma'ing out the ass like Canon 24.

(so glad for Samyang, jeez)

Sigma 50 F1.4 which well is sharper than Canon wide open but eh Canon quickly flies past it even by F2.8.
Canon 100-400L has always been good enough to me.

I really only now desire the 135L and must get it.

 

[Hjalmarg1]

You really have a very high end quality glasses.
Even though I would have the money I will never say I am done. I have been into photography for almost 3 years and I have owned 27 lenses so far, including some 'L' lenses in Canon lineup, some sigmas (e.g. 35mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.4) , one Tanrom and one Tokina.
I currently have Canon 24-70mm f2.8L (I), Canon 70-200mm f2.8L IS (II), Canon 100mm f2.8L IS Macro, Canon EF-S 15-85mm, Sigma 35mm f1.4, Sigma 10mm f2.8 (fisheye) and teleconverter EF 1.4X (II). This arrangement works pretty well on my Canon 7D body.
In my wishlist is a long telephoto like the 400mm f2.8L IS (II) or something equivalent if Sigma, as Canon Rumors indicated comes with the equivalent lens.

 

[mackguyver]

All, I took the weekend off from the computer for the most part - and this was an interesting set of comments to read this morning. Too many posts to reply to, but here are a few general statements:

Yes, it's a ton of money, and it doesn't include bodies or accessories (or the losses I've taken selling old bodies) - I feel the pain each year when I have to pay my equipment insurance premium. I guess everyone needs a hobby...

I have other gear not listed here like a new EOS M kit with 22 and 18-55 lenses and the flash. So far, I love how much it feels like a Canon SLR - I have despised Sony, Panasonic, etc.'s menus and it's nice to shoot with a small Canon again.

It really is complete in terms of lenses, short of Canon releasing some cool new lens or a great upgrade to something I own. I'd rather spend my "photo" money on travel, airplane rentals (I'd like to do some aerial stuff) and private boat rentals to get really deep into the woods and swamps. The way I look at it is that I need to use every piece of my gear at least once every two months, and if I don't I'm better off renting that item when needed instead of tying up the money on my shelf.

I'm planning to add to my basic studio set up as well. I'd like to add a third light along with some grids an snoots. If my architectural work takes off, I might grab the TS-E 17mm, but so far the 16-35 has worked really well.

Honestly, my biggest problem is deciding what to shoot with all of my toys, at least when it comes to my personal work.

P.S. Sure, a 600mm would make the list yet more complete, but the 300mm f/2.8 IS II + 2x III @f/8 is pretty damned sharp (see #1 below). The 1200mm reach would be nice, but generally if I need that much reach, I really need a 3000mm or something because the subject is just too far away ((see #2 below). Also, besides being really expensive, it's heavy and with the heat in Florida, haze is a very real problem at 840 and 1200mm - even at 300mm. In the end, while it is an unbelievable great lens, it just doesn't suit my style of shooting, and if I ever need it, I can rent it many times over for the cost to own it.

#1 - Boring Great Blue Heron shot, but good example of 300mm f/2.8 IS II + 2x III @f/8 sharpness:

#2 - a 2.4MP (yes, 11% crop) from a 300mm f/2.8 IS II + 2x III shot of a bald eagle tearing the feathers off it's kill. There was a guy standing next to me with a 800mm + 2x and it was a lot closer, but not enough to make it a quality image. Excuse the poor white balance and such, I didn't spend much time on the shot.

 

[discojuggernaut]

My 'holy trinity' of primes are:

17mm TSE
24mm 1.4 mkII
85mm 1.4 Sigma
300mm 2.8 IS mkI

(40mm pancake but that doesn't count)

Extremely yummy configuration. The 17mm and 300mm work well with both teleconverters, the 1.4 primes give me a great low light capability with a 5D3, and a great dual-camera/dual-lens solution. All except for the TSE offer insane bokeh. The Sigma 85mm is a sleeper lens, and with the $1000 you save over the Canon 1.2 beast you get faster AF and enough money for, wait for it, another lens!

 

[wayno]

Agree the Sigma 85 is great. Shot a wedding with it in low light on my 5d2 recently and it performed like a champion.

 

[Kwanon]

You are missing the Zeiss 55mm 1.4 Otus
it would be a great addition to your kit.

 

[M.ST]

to: surapon

The beautiful lady is now a few years older. Look at the skyline.

My problem is that I own the EF 1200 lens, but no woman is willing to carry the lens and the tripod for the lens-smile

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

Thanks, or maybe no thanks to a canonpricewatch.com alert I set up, I just snagged a refurbished TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II at 20% off.

With that, I'm done. Really. I have all the lenses I'll ever need to own. I can rent longer super teles, other TS-Es, etc. for jobs or projects.

It's taken me a long time to figure out what I need, but I have and I'm so happy to have completed it

My lenses and uses are as follows:

24 1.4L II - I love 24mm, it's my favorite and most used FL, period. The f/1.4 rocks for events and landscapes, and it's nice & small.

TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II - I have more and more architectural work coming my way and TS-Es just can't be beat. I don't like in a big city or shoot interiors much, so 24mm is ideal, plus I can use polarizers and ND filters with ease. I borrowed one from CPS and loved it, but didn't have much time to perfect it. I was very sad to return it once I realized how amazing tilt-shift movements can be.

85 1.2L II - the 50 1.2 and 135 2 are great, but I found the 85 to be more versatile for all types of portraits, and I think it's THE people lens.

180 3.5L Macro - I prefer the longer working distance, included tripod ring, and compression over the 100L. Plus it has the very best color of any Canon lens, IMHO.

300 2.8L IS II - I went for this over the bigger lenses as it's far more versatile (300, 420, and 600) and truly hand-holdable. No gimbal needed, just more patience and skill requireed to get closer to wildlife. I'll rent the 600 or 800 as needed.

Extenders 1.4x III & 2x III - both work awesome with the 180 3.5L Macro, 300 2.8L IS II and 70-200 2.8L IS II

16-35 2.8L II - I don't love this lens as much, but it is very versatile for architecture, landscape, and events

24-70 2.8L II - Perfect do it all zoom #1

70-200 2.8L IS II - Perfect do it all zoom #2

I'm sure I sound a bit nuts , but I'd like to thank that I have all I need to own. Has anyone else "completed" their lens kit?

Dear Sir, Mr.mackguyver.
Ha, Ha, Ha--------You and Me still missing One, as shown on the attached Photo---You miss the EF 1200 MM, And I miss the Beautiful Lady, who hold the big Lens----No, We not Complete yet, So Far.
Have a great Night, Sir.
Surapon

I admit that there is no much use of a 1200mm for me. : But, hey. If I buy and gain a woman to carry it for me, is a lens of a thousand and one uses. ;D

 

[mackguyver]

My only problem with the 1200mm is that it won't autofocus with the 2x extender .

Price, weight, size, availability and other factors are no problem ;D.

 

[mackguyver]

Also, I'm pretty sure the woman in the photo is the publisher of the-digital-picture.com, Bryan Carnathan's, wife. She looks a lot like the photos of his daughters he has all over his site.

 

[surapon]

to: surapon

The beautiful lady is now a few years older. Look at the skyline.

My problem is that I own the EF 1200 lens, but no woman is willing to carry the lens and the tripod for the lens-smile

Ha, Ha, Ha---Dear Mr. Mackguyver----Ha, Ha, Ha.---For me, Just grab 1200 mm in the right Arm, and the Beautiful Lady with the Big Tripods on the Left Arms.
Have a great day, Sir.
Surapon

 

[privatebydesign]

My problem is that I own the EF 1200 lens...........

You have made that statement several times, care to post an image proving it? There are a myriad of ways to maintain your privacy while confirming your assertion.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

Almost complete, just considering a swap out for a few.

14 I, 15/2.8, 24ii, 35/2 IS, 50L, 85ii, 100L, 135L, 400/4 DO
24tse I, 45tse, 90tse
8-15L, 24-70ii, 70-200ii
Zeiss 50/2 Makro, Conurus modded Contax Zeiss 50/1.4
& a bag full of screw mount lenses

Currently trying to sell the 15 fish
Want to swap 400/4 DO for either the 200/2 or 300/2.8ii
Already swapped 35L for 35/2 IS