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What would they be?
I for one only have at the moment 50mm f/1.8 and 100mm f/2.8.
Never really looked much into having many prime lenses so I was wondering what other people think on the matter? I'm not saying Im going out to buy another 2 primes, just wondering what primes people would choose out of choice?
So 4 primes, what would they be?
14/2.8 (rented it and really liked it)
35/1.4 (never tried it, but can't imagine I'd hate it)
85/1.2 (friends have it, I'm addicted)
200/2 (rented it and hated taking it back)
As you go down the list, each lens is 2.3-2.5x the focal length of the previous one, so it's a very even spread. I find that helps with deciding which to use.
If I could beg to add another, it'd be the 500/4. Never tried it, but everyone says it's a super lens, briefly handholdable, and follows the mathematical model of the other four (2.5x). It's possible the 24/1.4 could give my list some competition too.
The 4 primes I use the most are the 200 f/2.8L, 135 f/2L, 50 f/1.4 and 35 f/2.
Someday I hope to replace my 35 f/2 with the 35 f/1.4L version.
I would have to choose:
24 f1.4
85 f1.2
200 f2.0
500 f4.0
I have
35/1.4
50/1.4
85/1.8
100/2.8
135/2.0
and thinking get rid of the 50/1.4 and get 300/2.8(or200/2.0)
I also have two zooms(24-70, 70-200), and have almost never used them since I got the primes.(I'm happy moving my feet as long as I can get the best IQ I can get)
200 f/2 IS
300 f/2.8 IS
500 f/4 IS
800 f/5.6 IS
I have:
50 F1.4
85 F1.8
Love them both -- great values.
I want:
135 F2.0
200 F2.8
I've rented both and love them. I also have the 17-55 F2.8 which is my main show lens and the 70-200 F4L which I use for outdoor action events.
Jim
I don't shoot much wildlife, so mine would have to be...
24mm ts-eII f3.5 (always thought this would be a cool lens)
50 f/1.4 (on order)
85 f/1.8 (have and love it)
135 f/2 (on the to get list)
If I could add one other to the list it would be the 100mm Macro. It is one of the most fun per dollar lenses out there.
For my needs, these 3 primes covers my needs beautifully:
35mm f/1.4
85mm f/1.8
135mm f/2
I use a 5D2 and all these lenses are really sharp, renders a nice bokeh and helps me getting a narrow depth of field when i need that. They fit in my small camera bag and the setup is fairly light, making it perfect as a walkaround setup.
I could consider adding a 14mm f/2.8 or a 300mm f/2.8 but I doubt I will use any of them much.
I'd probably say...
A wide angle somewhere in the 8-14mm range.
A standard 35mm (or 24mm in the case of a 1.6 frame)
The 85mm L 1.2
And a 400mm