If you only had 4 Primes...

[Maleko]

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?

[peety3]

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.

[markcoons]

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.

[Joel Bookhammer]

I would have to choose:


24 f1.4


85 f1.2


200 f2.0


500 f4.0

[JJphoto]

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)

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

200 f/2 IS


300 f/2.8 IS


500 f/4 IS


800 f/5.6 IS

[Jayson]

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.

[jimgarvie]

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

[AndersB]

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.

[Cory]

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