[magkelly]

I'm one of those who doesn't want lenses I can only use for 3 years. But my otherwise my perfect 5 lens system is as follows:

DA 18-55
DA 55-300
Takumar 50 (or maybe a 55)
Takumar 105MM
Sigma 50-500mm

[audiobomber]

DA* 16-50
DA35mm
DA* 50-135
DA 100 WR Macro
DA* 300mm

The 50-135 is a lens I've never really coveted, but I could live with this kit. I'd have to replace the DA 35 with something faster though, the FA 31 or at least the FA 35.

[audiobomber]

How about the "Seven Samurai"?

DA 15
FA 31
FA 43
DA*55
FA 77
D-FA 100 WR
DA*300

Sometimes I use only primes, but I can't see confining myself to all primes, all the time. Too many lens changes, and too many occasions when the difference in IQ doesn't really matter.

[eddie1960]

How about the "Seven Samurai"?

DA 15
FA 31
FA 43
DA*55
FA 77
D-FA 100 WR
DA*300

Cheers...

that would be mine sub the da*200 for the 300, i rarely would use 300 length, but a fast 200....

[GeneV]

You mean the FA20/2.8?

I don't mean it. I was asking in response to the quoted post about an FA* 20/2.

[felix68]

There was an FA 20 F/2 or was that wishful thinking?

Sorry for the confusion all! What I meant was FA* 24mm f2. Even after Blue made his comment, I didn't catch the typo...

[EsBee]

My pick of 5 to go with the K-5 would be:
DA12-24
FA*28-70
FA43
FA77
FA*80-200

[eddie1960]

Sometimes I use only primes, but I can't see confining myself to all primes, all the time. Too many lens changes, and too many occasions when the difference in IQ doesn't really matter.

No one said i could only use one body
I shoot 95% prime now amd when i know ill need to swap fast i run with 2 bodies
No worse than film days when i carried 2all the time (b/w and colour)

[Abbazz]

My quintet for today (with the K-x, it all fits neatly in a waist pouch):

- DA 10-17/3.5-4.5
- DA 15/4
- DA 35/2.8 Macro
- FA 77/1.8
- Voigtländer 180/4

Cheers!

Abbazz

[audiobomber]

No one said i could only use one body
I shoot 95% prime now amd when i know ill need to swap fast i run with 2 bodies
No worse than film days when i carried 2all the time (b/w and colour)

What bag do you use? I bought a Think Tank Retrospective 30 for quick access to two bodies w/ lenses and spares. It even holds my flash and camera bracket if needed. It's extremely versatile but more designed for zooms than small primes. The weight is manageable but get tiring after a while.

[eddie1960]

What bag do you use? I bought a Think Tank Retrospective 30 for quick access to two bodies w/ lenses and spares. It even holds my flash and camera bracket if needed. It's extremely versatile but more designed for zooms than small primes. The weight is manageable but get tiring after a while.

depends on what i'm doing, i have about 3 old generic bags (mostly for storage of various gear) a lowepro Orion AW that i use the belt pack a lot on, a Lowepro Compact AW I found for free in perfect shap i've just started using, a Crumpler Brazillion Dollar home messenger bag for transporting a big kit when traveling. I also have an ETF style military Vest i adapted to hold lenses/flashes and carry the 2 bodies on straps - this is my preferred for shooting a big event like NXNE where i am running all over town, and it's actually what i bought it for (same idea as using the vests from domke and others but this is pretty much mesh with pockets meant for magazines and tear gas gig enough to stow most things and it's lighter and cooler thanks to all the mesh, looks a little goofy though
Most days i go out with just one lens and a camera and throw them in a small messenger bag with my book and phone etc.

[Lowell Goudge]

It's somewhat amusing to watch all the replies.

A while back I ran a poll on lens system design.

I put ranges for minimum focal length, maximum focal length and whether this should be zooms or primes.

the posts here reflect the variation in the poll quite well.

Minimum focal length averaged out to about 14mm with a wide flat distribution from 10mm to 17mm.

Maximum went beyond 200 mm as an average, and it was split 50-50 zooms and primes.

For what it's worth, I consider my Kit ideal (Naturally every one is probably the same)
3 zooms form the backbone
Sigma 10-20 F4-5.6
Tamron 28-75 F2.8
Sigma APO 70-200F2.8 EX (non DG Non Macro)

I then can add in what ever I want out of my remaining (40) lenses but these days it is my 8mm fisheye and 85mmF1.4.

My sigma is I think the sharpest of all the versions especially at the long end. Later Macro versions were reported soft at th elong end. The Tam,my can do close focus (not true macro) but I believe that close focus is good enough unless you specifically plan to do macro work. The sigma 10-20 is getting a little old, and the newer version is 1/2 to 1 1/2 stops faster, which may be of use. I never found it limiting, but I can see why some would.

I think the approach of making a backbone of quality zooms, and then fill in special needs / wants with primes is one reasonable way to go. others with more limited interests seem to be happy with a bag of DA's from 15-70. It is not my approach, but if they are happy and it suits their needs I can't argue

[eddie1960]

It's somewhat amusing to watch all the replies.

A while back I ran a poll on lens system design.

I put ranges for minimum focal length, maximum focal length and whether this should be zooms or primes.

the posts here reflect the variation in the poll quite well.

Minimum focal length averaged out to about 14mm with a wide flat distribution from 10mm to 17mm.

Maximum went beyond 200 mm as an average, and it was split 50-50 zooms and primes.

For what it's worth, I consider my Kit ideal (Naturally every one is probably the same)
3 zooms form the backbone
Sigma 10-20 F4-5.6
Tamron 28-75 F2.8
Sigma APO 70-200F2.8 EX (non DG Non Macro)

I then can add in what ever I want out of my remaining (40) lenses but these days it is my 8mm fisheye and 85mmF1.4.

My sigma is I think the sharpest of all the versions especially at the long end. Later Macro versions were reported soft at th elong end. The Tam,my can do close focus (not true macro) but I believe that close focus is good enough unless you specifically plan to do macro work. The sigma 10-20 is getting a little old, and the newer version is 1/2 to 1 1/2 stops faster, which may be of use. I never found it limiting, but I can see why some would.

I think the approach of making a backbone of quality zooms, and then fill in special needs / wants with primes is one reasonable way to go. others with more limited interests seem to be happy with a bag of DA's from 15-70. It is not my approach, but if they are happy and it suits their needs I can't argue

not far off the type of kit i would have said if i was looking at zooms, but most of the time primes more than suit my style and the kit comes in lighter as a bonus (not hauling a long lens of course makes it easy)

[-Mous-]

What I would like:
DA* 16-50
DA* 60-250
FA 31 limited
FA 43 limited
FA 77 limited

What I'm getting (you know... I'm not that rich):
DA 17-70
DA 55-300
DA 21 limited
DA 35/40 limited (not sure yet, this one is tough)
DA 70 limited

Allmost there...

Well, I guess I'm there (as soon as the packages arrive). There's still some LBA left though. I'll probably go for the DA 15 limited and the D FA 100mm WR next.

[mkvlln]

DA 15/4
FA 31/1.8
Leica 50/0.95 (converted to K-mount)
FA 77/1.8
K 135/2.5

hehehe, and also a 1.7x AF teleconverter