My lens collection

[blackcloudbrew]

Certain members tease a few of us about having too many lenses and clearly I'm one who does have too many. As I am finishing up my shooting every day project for 2011, I took this shot of all the lenses I've used this year on my DSLRs:


_IGP6813 by blackcloudbrew, on Flickr

Considering that before 2008 I didn't own any these lenses or cameras, I suppose I'm just a bit crazy but it's been fun and promises to keep that way for some time to come. Actually I own some others for my 645 and 6x7 cameras but they were not part of my year long project.

So just thought I'd share this with you all. Oh, and clearly I'll be reducing this collection next year a bit. I'll post soon on my year long project that required me to use this hoard but not here.

[davidhampshire]

well,  thank you bcb ;     i don't feel QUITE  as  insane as i have been feeling,       anymore         dave

[Pacerr]

Certain members tease a few of us about having too many lenses

NEVER let 'em get to ya BCB. One doesn't need to be ashamed of providing an ol' folk's home for lenses.

Can ya imagine what you'd have if you started in 1964 though? Or maybe we shouldn't go there, eh?

H2

[Mike Pearson]

Quite an impressive collection Earl 

Anthony

[JIMBO]

So, list your top five and why. JIM

[blackcloudbrew]

Wow, that sounds like an English 1A assignment!

My top 5...ok, that would be as follows:

1. DA*16-50 f2.8
2. DA* 50-135 f2.8

These first two are my best lenses and have always delivered consistent results for me. The 16-50 is the first lens I pick up when just wanting to shoot. If I want to do portrait or a bit more distant subjects the 50-135 is a perfect match with the 16-50.
 
3. Tamron 70-200 f2.8
4. Samson D-Xenon 12-24 f4
5. DA 17-70 f4

These next three are really all about the same level because they all have done terrifically the things I've required them to do.

The next 5+ or so are a bit harder but I'd put in to that mix the DA*55 f1.4, Voigtlander 58 f1.4, FA 35 f2, DA 14 f2.8, DA 40 limited, DA 21 limited, and DA 10-17 in no particular order.

For me, it depends on what I'm shooting, where I'm shooting, and if I want to go light or heavy.

Quite a few of the other lenses were picked up by me just to understand them and some of the others have been unusual ones I've wanted to collect. I've sold off about a half dozen this past year (not in this group). But for me, the top 5 are my go to get serious lenses.

[davidhampshire]

BCB,  i see many photos taken by people with those two first  lenses,  especially  the 50-135mm  that i think,  at first ( with my limited knowledge ) ,  were done with a prime.       dave

[davidhampshire]

and pacerr,   did you really start collecting lenses in 1964 ?     just curious. 

dave

[Pacerr]

. . .  did you really start collecting lenses in 1964 ?   

Collecting? Why of course not, Dave. Collecting lenses is such a trivial, dilettante activity.

One simply keeps a few potentially useful items at hand in the event they might someday solve a particular problem in an interesting or unconventional manner. Surely that can't be considered collecting?

But yes, in fact I do still have the first 'utilitarian, interchangeable optical accessory' which I  acquired from a well known NYC establishment in 1964 -- a Spiratone 35mm/f3.5 in M42 mount. I believe it was last called into service in . . . hmmm, let's see? About 1972 at the Luguna Seca Racetrack maybe. Perhaps I should stack it on something interesting like the ST 105/2.8  for a close-up shot soon just to ensure it's earning its keep, eh?

And surely you can see how any responsible forum member would want at least half a dozen or so SMC 50/55's available just in case a comparison shoot was needed to satisfy an argument as to which half-century old lens was best for shooting a poetry reading on a rainy Wednesday afternoon.

[chongmic]

wow, it would probably take me 30 years to get there. i'm surprise the limited lenses didn't make it to your top 5. Happy New Year to everyone. I didn't post much pictures for quite some time, hopefully i can make time to post more in 2012.

[davidhampshire]

pacerr,   sounds like a very extensive murmuration of lenses .     very cool.     dave 

[blackcloudbrew]

wow, it would probably take me 30 years to get there. i'm surprise the limited lenses didn't make it to your top 5. Happy New Year to everyone. I didn't post much pictures for quite some time, hopefully i can make time to post more in 2012.

Actually, that surprised me too. I used to own the DA 70 Limited as well by the way but sold it for the Samsung 12-24. I guess I'm really more of a zoom guy in practice. My top 5 list was based on what I prefer to shoot with versus some kind of 0-10 rating scale (and I'm not going to do that with my lenses). What I tried to say is that if, like last night for example, I want to go light and small, I'll reach for the limited lenses.

[Pacerr]

  . . . go light and small, I'll reach for the limited lenses. 

A thought:  With a prime, I'm committed to making a scene work with a specific lens and POV. With a zoom, I'm expecting to make the lens accommodate a selected scene.

With a prime mounted I'm much more aware that I'm "hunting" a specific situation rather  than accommodating a "target of opportunity".

Or, perhaps just another way to say "Flexibility is the key to indecision?" 

[Frogfish]

That's some lens porn BCB !

My personal Top5 varies from subject to subject and day to day !  However if you said to me you can only have 5 of your lenses to use from now until the day you day you die then it'd be :

77 Ltd, 43 Ltd, 15 Ltd, Sigma 50-150 and DA*300.  Oh that hurts to leave behind some sweet sweet lenses such as Zeiss 35-70 / 85 / 28, Sigma 30/1.4 and so on ......

[JIMBO]

Thanks for your review. Not much different then I would have picked. using the 80/20 rule of what I like to photograph. As you know I have both Pentax and Nikon systems and when deciding on my Nikon lenses I only thought of what I like to shoot, landscapes. I decided on the 16-35, 24-70 and 70-200. I have two other lenses that I will purchase in the next year or two. The 200-400 and the 150 Sigma Macro. That will handle 99% of what I enjoy shooting. I am also saving my K20 with the 16-50, as my back up camera. Selling everything else in the next month. Cheers and appreciate you reviewing the lens selections. JIMBO