Lenses that inspire you?

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#21
I concur with both of those. The 300 2.8 is light enough to use all around. I'll add the 100mm f2.8L macro. When i get bored with the other two macro usually re-inspires me.

pwp said:
The two lenses in my bag which consistently knock my socks off are the 70-200 f/2.8isII and the 300 f/2.8is.

PW
Click to expand...
 
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#23
Each new lens inspired me - except perhaps the 10-22 & 400mm - because each tools gives me some new field of creativity.

But there are some lenses which are more inspiring:
- 2.0/100: great focal length (equiv 160mm @ EOS 40D), great bokeh, great contrast and really compact/unobstrusive.
- 2.8/24: highly universal (equiv near 40mm EOS 40D), great overall IQ straight from f/2.8, compact.
both lenses are - for me - a good set to go for landscape, street, etc. and future proof for a FF camera.

The poor man's available light compatible lens duo with great overall IQ!
 
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#24
kev8d said:
I've been a firm believer that upgrading one's gear usually doesn't improve one's photography. However, I recently picked up the Canon 85 f/1.8, and I must say, this lens has definitely improved my work. Why? Interestingly, it's due to more than the image quality. Yes, it's a great, sharp lens, but it's really not head-and-shoulders above some of my other lenses.

So if the image quality of the lens isn't leading to noticeably better images - what's changed? Inspiration. For a number of reasons, when I shoot with the 85 I feel inspired.

First, the focal length. I spent most of last year shooting with a 50mm, so the focal length is a little longer, and it inspires me to shoot from different perspectives.

Second, the feel. The size and weight of the 85 on a 5D feels just right to me. It's light enough to not wear me out after a full day of shooting, but it's also solid enough that it doesn't look or feel like a toy.

Third, the image quality. There's no denying, this is a sharp, impressive lens. It may not produce quite the background blur of the 85 f/1.2, but the image quality is still pretty awesome. If I nail the exposure, focus, and composition, I can be quite sure that the lens will do the rest.
Click to expand...
The 85/1.8 is a pleasure to use; great value, too. Nicely-built, and it gives great bokeh. I enjoyed it on my 7D, and I still enjoy it on my 5D3. It just feels nice!

Next on my list are the 2X TC and then the 85/1.2. That second one might take a few months though.
 
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#26
It's interesting to note this. My 85 f/1.2L II lens inspires me the most. The only reaosn is that I page back through photos I have taken, for some reason, the photos where I used this lens are to me, my best photos ever. I don't know what it is about the 24-105L, it's just not as good, even though it's more convenient. My second favorite lens is my 50 f/1.4. I love that lens for photos where I stop down. My favorites:

1. 85L
2. 50 f/1.4
3. 70-200 f/2.8L II IS
 
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#29
35L
85L
100L macro
135L
and i'm beginning to love my 70-300L

but, 85L is the one for me

though i definitely appreciate everyone that's into the tilt shifts, and i think i'm headed there next

and then there's the days that i shoot only with my phone, or with a polaroid 100, or something else like that. spent this morning playing with emulsion lifts shot with an sx70.

i appreciate what the OP expressed for sure, but just shoot. whatever inspires you, just shoot
 
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#30
TS-E 17mm.

Using TS-E lens force me to slow down and set up my tripod before I take pictures. That sort of cooled down my trigger-happy use of DSLR and forced me to survey scenes before making decisions. Of course, it also introduced me to the world of tilt and shift...
 
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#32
Telephotos don't really heighten my sense of creativity but wide-angles do. Obviously, the subject often dictates the appropriate focal length but, that aside, a wide-angle perspective is, to my eyes, usually more interesting than a telephoto perspective. So, from my limited selection, the Sigma 12-24 is the lens that imbues most inspiration in me.

I think I'd suffer inspiration overload if I were fortunate enough to have a TS-E 17mm.
 
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#35
Fleetie said:
kev8d said:
I've been a firm believer that upgrading one's gear usually doesn't improve one's photography. However, I recently picked up the Canon 85 f/1.8, and I must say, this lens has definitely improved my work. Why? Interestingly, it's due to more than the image quality. Yes, it's a great, sharp lens, but it's really not head-and-shoulders above some of my other lenses.

So if the image quality of the lens isn't leading to noticeably better images - what's changed? Inspiration. For a number of reasons, when I shoot with the 85 I feel inspired.

First, the focal length. I spent most of last year shooting with a 50mm, so the focal length is a little longer, and it inspires me to shoot from different perspectives.

Second, the feel. The size and weight of the 85 on a 5D feels just right to me. It's light enough to not wear me out after a full day of shooting, but it's also solid enough that it doesn't look or feel like a toy.

Third, the image quality. There's no denying, this is a sharp, impressive lens. It may not produce quite the background blur of the 85 f/1.2, but the image quality is still pretty awesome. If I nail the exposure, focus, and composition, I can be quite sure that the lens will do the rest.
Click to expand...
The 85/1.8 is a pleasure to use; great value, too. Nicely-built, and it gives great bokeh. I enjoyed it on my 7D, and I still enjoy it on my 5D3. It just feels nice!

Next on my list are the 2X TC and then the 85/1.2. That second one might take a few months though.
Click to expand...

I just paid for a used EF 85mm f/1.8 from Lensrentals and I am anxiously awaiting its arrival. For $290 it was the lowest price I've seen for this lens, and thanks to a Feb 2011 contest here at CR (thanks, Craig) in which I won a $50 GC, I only paid $240 out-of-pocket. I'm looking forward to trying it out.
 
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#36
I guess I'd say my 85 1.2L. I don't get to use it that often and I forget how amazing it is. Then the occasion will come up where 85 is the right focal length. I'll look at the results and try like heck to find shots to take with it.

The same thing will happen with the 35 1.4L but not as often as the 85 because I do shoot with the 35 much more.
 
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#37
1nsanity said:
Canon 24L MK II

Not my most used lens, but definitely one that allows endless possibilities and gets me thinking about my composition almost every time.
Click to expand...
+1 to have very wide angle and very shallow dof is something you only get with TS lenses and the 24 f1,4 and they kick ass all three.
 
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#40
Kyle,

A lot of these guys are shooting full frame.. you can get similar results on APS-C for a lot less (I note you are using a 30D)

Check out the 200mm f2.8 L II (behaves like a 320mm f2.8) and is an excellent sharp lens on APS-C.

Also check out the 100mm f2.0 USM (behaves like 160 f2.0) and is also an excellent sharp lens on APS-C.

At vastly cheaper prices than the big boys. Don't get me wrong the big boys are brilliant and better... but you don't have to remortgage the house to get some very very nice canon glass, especially if you are shooting on APS-C!
 
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