What's Your Favorite Lens And Why?

[camera0bug]

I posted this on my camera group's website and the answers that are coming back are varied as the weather.

Be as descriptive as you'd like but tell us why you like the lens (cost, f-stops, ease of use,
focusing, weight, reputation, focal length, etc.) and how it expresses in your images what you want to convey to the viewer.

Should make for interesting reading...

[gpaai]

Well at this point using the Olympus C5060 the luxury of various lenses isn't in the mix. I will however follow this thread since plans for a DSLR are in my immediate future. Seeing what others have to say about lenses will be as important to me as the camera itself.

Gary

[clickaway]

Good one Dan,

Whilst I cannot speak for all members of the European San Diego PAD Club, the lens I most adore is my Canon 17-40L.

First off, its unusual in that I actually bought it NEW.

But much more importantly, it serves so many of my needs as I now take a wider view of the street scene than I once did. I can be armed with just my 17-40L on a trip to London and get a good bundle of shots whatever the weather, but the same doesn't apply for my 100-300.

Of course I'm saying this 'cos I haven't got a 'real' wide angle.

Ray

[shelleylauren]

I'll bite on this one, because I have been kind of looking for a good chance to share my probably unusual choice.

Lately my favorite lens is my simplest, my f/1.8 50mm. It's plastic and really light, probably the lightest one Canon makes, so it's easy to take with me when I'm going just about anywhere. I've heard it with good reason called the plastic fantastic. With it on my Canon EOS 350D, I can go out for a walk with, and hardly feel it on my shoulder. And it's really very versatile. It can take pictures in just about any light without flash hand held. Set it on ISO 1600, and it can practically manage candle light. It can't get mice from across the field, but with it being really the equivalent of 35mm something like 85mm, some amount of distance shots are possible particularly with a little cropping, and with focusing down to a foot and a half, I can almost use it as a macro lens. It's also kind of a discipline, because it makes me walk. And even when it's not the right lens for a situation, I can use it as a kind of sketch pad and try out compositions for possible later versions with a different lens. I bought it on a recommendation that it was good value for money, but I had no idea at the time how true this would be. I thoroughly recommend this lens. It is minimalism at its best.

[grafix72]

hmmm tough decision... but I would have to say my absolute favourite is my Canon 50mm f1.4. For me it just seems to be a perfect focal length and with that aperature you can really open it up and get great DOF shots. It's great for just capturing people in candid moments since it doesn't make my camera look huge like the 17-40 does. It is the lens that pretty much is always on my camera. I would however say my second favourite is my Canon 17-40L

[jypsee]

Canon EF 20 f/2.8; close focusing distance, little to no barrel distortion on a 1.6 FOV crop sensor so I can get a close up portrait, a group, a landscape, and on the 20D I can take it into a dark room and still get that lowlight photo with little (acceptable) high ISO noise.

[chillmanafrica]

Canon EF 75-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM

Cheap, Light, Image stabiliser works well and is great for capturing quick shots of the local wildlife.

[shelleylauren]

Canon EF 75-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM

Cheap, Light, Image stabiliser works well and is great for capturing quick shots of the local wildlife.

That one interests me. Sounds almost too good to be true. What's the catch? Anyone else have experience with it? Is it new? I don't remember it when I was last lens shopping.

[chillmanafrica]

That one interests me. Sounds almost too good to be true. What's the catch? Anyone else have experience with it? Is it new? I don't remember it when I was last lens shopping.

It has been on the market for about 10 years, it cost A$900 in 2004 and is light as compared to to my L series zooms, makes it easy to carry when travelling around Africa chasing animals.

[bamburg]

I shoot Nikon. Lens choice for a favorite is either the 70-200Vr or my 17-5mm DX lens. Both are wonderful

Cory
http://www.pbase.com/bamburg

[jypsee]

Canon EF 75-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM

Cheap, Light, Image stabiliser works well and is great for capturing quick shots of the local wildlife.

That one interests me. Sounds almost too good to be true. What's the catch? Anyone else have experience with it? Is it new? I don't remember it when I was last lens shopping.

I have one for sale
http://www.pbase.com/jypsee/75-300isforsale

I've used it for LOTS of wildlife before I went to the really heavy lenses (400 f/5.6 and a Sigma 100-300 f/4) and sometimes I wonder why I'm selling it, but the fact is that I hardly ever use it and it's too nice a lens to just give away (my usual way of doing things)

here's some photos I've made with it
http://www.pbase.com/jypsee/image/35838605
http://www.pbase.com/jypsee/image/26322174/original
http://www.pbase.com/jypsee/image/26209690

[shelleylauren]

That one interests me. Sounds almost too good to be true. What's the catch? Anyone else have experience with it? Is it new? I don't remember it when I was last lens shopping.

It has been on the market for about 10 years, it cost A$900 in 2004 and is light as compared to to my L series zooms, makes it easy to carry when travelling around Africa chasing animals.

What's the weight? It looks like it extends out when at higher focal lengths. Does it fall out there and get stuck when you are not looking? I had a lens for my film camera that did that, and it annoyed me to no end. What are the disadvantages over an L series?

[shelleylauren]

I have one for sale
http://www.pbase.com/jypsee/75-300isforsale

How much do you want for it? I might be tempted, but it would probably be better for me to get one from someone in the UK to avoid the customs and overseas mailing.

[jypsee]

I have one for sale
http://www.pbase.com/jypsee/75-300isforsale

How much do you want for it? I might be tempted, but it would probably be better for me to get one from someone in the UK to avoid the customs and overseas mailing.

Yup, that would be a better idea; I want $350.00 USD for the lens and the hood (firm price) which has the original box... plus shipping and any fees associated with credit cards. Canon has a newer version of this lens ( EF 70-300 IS), but the cost is a whole lot higher and the hood always comes separate with Canon.

You might try FredMiranda.com buy and sell forum for one in the UK... or evilbay :^)

[rjyates]

Currently my Canon EF-S 60mm Macro - but I haven't taken the step into L series lenses yet!

Overall it's a great lens - as well as the macro capability it's a really good prime. Used on the 20D the equivalent focal length is just short of 100mm so it's great for portraits etc as well.



There's a gallery of results from this lens here...

http://www.pbase.com/rjyates/macro