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

[LarryC]

I have about 10 lenses plus TCs at the moment and I certainly have MORE lenses than I NEED. But trying new lenses is one of the main things that keeps me interested in photography so I buy new lenses whenever I want to try something different, but then I will also sell a lens to keep capitalization costs down. I usually have around 10 lenses, so I guess that means I need 10. I buy and sell 80% of my gear on ebay, and I make a bit of money.

 

[Dylan777]

As my work has evolved - primarily due to the limitations I have with pain - so has my gear. Events and hiking are no longer possible, so I've sold off my 24 f/1.4 II and 50 f/1.2. I also sold off my 16-35 f/4 IS, which I may regret, but I don't think I need it with the 11-24 and 24-70, plus the excellent EF-M 11-22 IS. My current gear is now:

11-24 f/4
24-70 f/2.8 II
70-200 f/2.8 IS II
TS-E 17 f/4
TS-E 24 f/3.5 II
85 f/1.2 II
180 f/3.5 macro
300 f/2.8 IS II
1.4x III and 2x III extenders
EF-M 11-22 IS, 18-55 IS, 22

I'd like a 600 f/4...but I think it would cost me twice as much in jewelry and other "make-up gifts" for the wife

The list looks good mackguyver.

I'm going to give mirrorless world a try.

Smaller and lighter: Sony A7s + Zeiss FE 28mm f2 + Ultrawide converter - convert 28mm f2 to 21mm f2.8 + Zeiss FE 55mm f1.8 + Zeiss FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS as my outdoor lens.

Sports, Kids activities, BIF etc: 1Dx + 40mm pancake + 85L f1.2 II + 200mm f2 IS + 400mm f2.8 IS II + 2x TC III. (sold my 1.4x TC III, since I don't use it much). I still have three 600EX flashes and a transmitter. I'm not sure what to do at this moment. Time will tell.

One thing for sure, I'm going to miss the Canon 24-70 and 70-200 combo. For now, my Sony/Zeiss 50mm and Canon 200mm will temporary fill those spots. Funny, how a zoom shooter suddenly becomes a prime shooter

This move could be a bad decision, but, if I don't give it a try then I will never know "the grass is truly green or not"

 

[jcarapet]

I'm definitely at the point where can't JUSTIFY need for new lenses. sure, if a 1200mm comes around after I win the lottery then maybe.

 

[jdramirez]

A while back I was at the same point... Though I had everything I needed... So I started building my daughter's kit... In the span ofa year and change she went from an xti & borrowing my 85mm f1.8 usm to an sl1 & a 40mm pancake to a t4i and a 18-135mm (non stm). I'm mulling over "selling" her my 24-105 when I eventually upgrade the lens, but there isn't anything I want to upgrade to.

I'm definitely at the point where can't JUSTIFY need for new lenses. sure, if a 1200mm comes around after I win the lottery then maybe.

 

[Viggo]

I have the three lenses I want and need, but there is a space saved for a 50mm. I miss the 50 Art so much. Hopefully the 50 L II rumors are true and its a retrofocal winner. I sometimes would like a 70-200 again, but I know it would see very little use when I still have the 200.

 

[tron]

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?

Long story short you didn't have all the lenses you need . Allow me to predict the future: You still do not have ALL the lenses you need ;D (neither do I ;D ;D ;D )

 

[mackguyver]

There is some truth to that, but I have the same number of lenses now as I had when I posted this message. My needs have changed (events>real estate) and Canon has released two fantastic wide zooms in the past two years. I traded the 16-35 f/2.8 II for the the 16-35 f/4 IS and sold it after buying the 11-24 f/4. I'm very content with what I have now .

 

[tron]

There is some truth to that, but I have the same number of lenses now as I had when I posted this message. My needs have changed (events>real estate) and Canon has released two fantastic wide zooms in the past two years. I traded the 16-35 f/2.8 II for the the 16-35 f/4 IS and sold it after buying the 11-24 f/4. I'm very content with what I have now .

OK 1.5 year ago I had sold the version 1 16-35 2.8 so I was ready to get the 16-35 f/4 IS. I like it very much. Although I am thinking about 11-24 I wouldn't like to sell my 16-35. It is very practical (filter in front element, IS). So I believe I am worse than you (G.A.S wise speaking ;D )

 

[mackguyver]

There is some truth to that, but I have the same number of lenses now as I had when I posted this message. My needs have changed (events>real estate) and Canon has released two fantastic wide zooms in the past two years. I traded the 16-35 f/2.8 II for the the 16-35 f/4 IS and sold it after buying the 11-24 f/4. I'm very content with what I have now .

OK 1.5 year ago I had sold the version 1 16-35 2.8 so I was ready to get the 16-35 f/4 IS. I like it very much. Although I am thinking about 11-24 I wouldn't like to sell my 16-35. It is very practical (filter in front element, IS). So I believe I am worse than you (G.A.S wise speaking ;D )

I have the EF-M 11-22 IS for my little M, so that's my walkaround wide lens now that I sold its big brother. It's very sharp and compares well to the 16-35 f/4 IS though it's a 18-35 and missing one aperture blade. I need to pick up a ridiculous 55>82mm step up ring for my C-PL and NDs