Short Telephoto Lenses

[jthomson]

Got into a bit of an argument, would like some ammunition. ;D.

I don't care about the aperture only the focal length. Note the question isn't what is your favourite focal length, it is which one is most popular, that is which one do most photographers have.

Also does anyone know a good Nikon site where I could post the same sort of Poll? I want to try and eliminate brand bias from the answer. The only difference in the question would be that I would use 105mm instead of 100mm.

 

[Loswr]

Note the question isn't what is your favourite focal length, it is which one is most popular, that is which one do most photographers have.

I have all three, but I can only vote for one...

 

[Sporgon]

If you were referring to lenses which people have had in the past then I'd say the 85 would be way out in front. Nowadays I'm guessing that the 100/105 is catching up.

The 135 has always been a niche focal length (on 35 mm / FF) - relatively speaking. It's harder to use than an 85 but doesn't have the useful magnification of 200 +.

 

[Tinky]

I love working with primes as they really force you to think about perspective in a way that zooms just don't, and I think regardless of any optical benefits, that extra thought makes your images better.

I use cropped sensor cameras so I tend to use slightly wider lenses to fufill the effective short telephoto range.

I love my Sigma 50mm f1.4 DG on my 7D. Bright. Usable wide open at a pinch. Really snaps into focus with beautiful fall-off. So equivalent to an 80.

If I'm doing anything with the nephews or action or sports I really love my 'no mans land' 100mm f2.0 (160mm effectively on cropped sensor) for the sheer speed of focus, and again, for images that are good even wide open. Note that this is one of the few lenses Canon themselves rate for the 50mp 5D's. It's an infallable companion, and whilst it's short for a proper sports lens, the speed and clarity gets more keepers, and the images hold up to software cropping too.

So I would vote for the 100, but then, it's not really what you asked, in my kit context.

 

[privatebydesign]

I love working with primes as they really force you to think about perspective in a way that zooms just don't.....

I disagree, when using zooms you (I) go to the position that gets me the perspective I want and then zoom to get the framing, with primes I don't have that level of control and I am forced to make a choice between the optimal perspective or framing, rarely can you get both with a prime.

 

[Loswr]

I love working with primes as they really force you to think about perspective in a way that zooms just don't.....

I disagree, when using zooms you (I) go to the position that gets me the perspective I want and then zoom to get the framing, with primes I don't have that level of control and I am forced to make a choice between the optimal perspective or framing, rarely can you get both with a prime.

+1, that's one reason I use my 70-200/2.8 far more often than those three primes.

 

[jthomson]

I was just about to start commenting on some of the great answers when I realised that could bias the results. So please excuse me if I don't comment until the poll closes.

I know this is a Canon site but with all the Nikon shooters that post I hope someone can direct me to a similarly good Nikon site. Don't want to go to a general photography site as it could easily turn into a Canon vs Nikon flame war.

 

[Tinky]

I love working with primes as they really force you to think about perspective in a way that zooms just don't.....

I disagree, when using zooms you (I) go to the position that gets me the perspective I want and then zoom to get the framing, with primes I don't have that level of control and I am forced to make a choice between the optimal perspective or framing, rarely can you get both with a prime.

+1, that's one reason I use my 70-200/2.8 far more often than those three primes.

The flip side of zooms is that the lazy photographer will just zoom to get the composition. Not saying that applies to either of you, maybe it applies to me, and therfore primes make me work harder and thus get better shots. Either way it works for me. I wouldn't be out with just one prime in any case. My style is plan shot, reserach location, research position of the light for the time I'm shooting, arrive early, have a preferred lens in mind and then do some testing, practise practise, practise, by the time my shot comes round I'm ready and usually get it.

I don't really do spontaneity, it's probably my video guy taking over. I'm also chronic for indecision under pressure, so one less choice, or at least, one parameter kind of planned out and eliminated through testing lets me concentrate on say, focus tracking rahter than reframing etc.

It should be said that my favourite photo subjects are things like motorsports or transport where I can anticipate where a subject will be, and I often pivot around this point to find the best backdrop.. it's a technique that works for me, at least..

For absolute clarity, the image of the mini was taken with a lens that couldn't be much more zoomy if I tried, the Bigma 50-500, and the Tornado steam train was taken by a Canon f2.8 70-200L, but chosen for the specific focal length (the speedway image was taken on a prime Canon 200mm f2.8L sold to make way for the zoom, required for video interviews, not stills)

The Waverley image was taken on the aforementioned 100mm (on an M body) with the light and location researched in advance, in both the steamtrain and waverley shots the background / environment was absolutely pivotal to the shot, in the speedway and mini shot it was the apex of the curve that was pivotal to get desired 'turn-in' movement through the frame, which I think looks far more dynamic and 3 dimensional than parallel panning type shots.

 

[Frodo]

I ticked 100mm
- Not because I think it is most popular (that's probably 85mm)
- Not because I have one (I have the 85mm)
But because it more closely approximates my "short telephoto eye" i.e. when I envisage and frame the image before taking my camera to my eye.
And it is significantly smaller than the 135mm - which does not give the reach of the similarly sized and priced 200mm (as noted by Sporgon).
I bought the 85 because it was close to the short end of the 70-200 I sold (I have the 200mm prime at the other end) and because it was not too far from my 35mm prime as a two-lens kit.
But I'm thinking of replacing it with the 100/2.

 

[Tinky]

The 100mm f2 is stonkingly nice to use. If I've had an image I've not liked from it, it's because I've done something wrong.

 

[Don Haines]

I love working with primes as they really force you to think about perspective in a way that zooms just don't.....

I disagree, when using zooms you (I) go to the position that gets me the perspective I want and then zoom to get the framing, with primes I don't have that level of control and I am forced to make a choice between the optimal perspective or framing, rarely can you get both with a prime.

+1, that's one reason I use my 70-200/2.8 far more often than those three primes.

As I sit here typing this, my camera bag is on the bench beside me and it has both a 100mm prime and a 70-200 in it..... I like them both......

 

[privatebydesign]

I love working with primes as they really force you to think about perspective in a way that zooms just don't.....

I disagree, when using zooms you (I) go to the position that gets me the perspective I want and then zoom to get the framing, with primes I don't have that level of control and I am forced to make a choice between the optimal perspective or framing, rarely can you get both with a prime.

+1, that's one reason I use my 70-200/2.8 far more often than those three primes.

As I sit here typing this, my camera bag is on the bench beside me and it has both a 100mm prime and a 70-200 in it..... I like them both......

It's funny you say that, I have the 70-200 f2.8 IS and the 100 f2.8 IS Macro, if I am shooting a portrait session I'll use the zoom for the reasons I stated, but I use the 100 prime much more as a general purpose lens and take it traveling with me as I long ago decided I use the 70-200 too little when traveling for it to warrant the space and weight in the bag.

I used to travel with the 16-35 2.8, 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8 IS and a few primes mostly the 15mm and 50mm f1.4 and occasionally the 300 f2.8 IS. Now I travel with the 11-24, 35 f2 IS and 100 f2.8 IS Macro, but if I could only take one lens it would be the 24-70 2.8 L, I have done a couple of big travels with just one body and that trusty 24-70.

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

I believe that 85mm focal length is the most popular.

Just as our friend Tinky, I love my Sigma 50 Art in APS-C, which is equivalent to 80mm. For Head and shoulders portrait, I love Canon 100mm F2.

 

[bholliman]

I chose 100mm, but 85mm is probably more popular. I love all three focal lengths.

Regarding the zoom vs. prime discussion, I do tend to work harder and think more about framing with primes and can get a little lazy with zooms. That said, some of my best shots have been taken with my 70-200 f/2.8 II.

 

[Zeidora]

100: but only because my 100 Makroplanar is my main lens I use for macro. never had a 85 (don't like to take pictures of people). Once had a 135 but hardly ever used it. Never saw the need to get it again.

 

[Ruined]

I would guess 85mm for most popular as per the poll.

But my favorite in Canon right now of the three is 135mm. Despite its reputation personally I think the 85L is just too sluggish and fragile while not offering much the 135 can't do assuming you have the working room. If I don't have the working room for the 135L, I'd probably rather have the 50L (instead of the 85L) for more flexibility in tight spots while retaining good DOF control. And, the 85 1.8 lacks contrast and pop in comparison. The 100L is nice for macro but not as good as the 85l/135l for portrait.

Really hoping Canon releases either an 85mm f/1.8 IS or 85mm f/1.2L III soon with improvements needed in either one.

Also, just in terms of preference, I'd rather have 50mm on one camera and 135mm on another than a 35/85 combo.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Got into a bit of an argument, would like some ammunition. ;D.

I don't care about the aperture only the focal length. Note the question isn't what is your favourite focal length, it is which one is most popular, that is which one do most photographers have.

Also does anyone know a good Nikon site where I could post the same sort of Poll? I want to try and eliminate brand bias from the answer. The only difference in the question would be that I would use 105mm instead of 100mm.

The answer really depends on the camera. The three lenses you mention are short telephoto on a FF camera, but on a APS-C camera which is what most people have, a 50mm is short telephoto followed by 85 and 100.

For use with either sensor, the 85mm focal length works, so its a common denominator.

Personally, I've finally been recruited into the Zoom user and sold almost all of my many prime lenses. A 24-70, 70-100, and 100-400 covers my normal needs. Only very seldom do I wish for a wider lens, but I kept my old Tokina 17mm f/2.5 prime for such a situation. I also kept my 100mm L for Macros.

 

[rado98]

If you consider the fact that most cameras out there are are aps c and the 50'm primes are sold like hot cakes. Just with that, one can probably assume that the 80-85mm equivalent is the most popular.
That is my personal preference too by the way.

 

[pwp]

I've had 85 f/1.2, 135 f/2 and still have a 100L macro f/2.8is. While I loved the results from the slow-focusing 85 & the 135 they tended to get left in the bag in favour of the flexibility and brilliant quality of the 70-200 f/2.8isII. Both lenses are now sold. The 100 sometimes gets some work in portrait shoots, usually just to do something a bit different or when focal length/framing consistency is an important client requirement.

Obviously the 100 is the go-to lens for macro work. I'll be using the 100 next week for a shoot for a bespoke custom shoemaker who is rebranding and updating web & marketing collateral. The brief calls for mostly very close up shots of the hands of the shoemaker working with his tools...all warm & fuzzy and describing the intimate details of his craftsmanship. The 100 will rock for this project as will the 90mm TS-E.

Before zooms came of age and rivaled primes for IQ, I was still shooting with Nikons. A favourite was the quite lovely Nikkor 105 f/2.5.

-pw

 

[TeT]

I love what my 135 does, I hate that I dont have that look from a zoom...