[stillshot2]

One lens! Not even my glasses have only one lens!

[mholford]

only one M42 lens? (not the most useful single lens as it's my 500mm takumar...)

I could imagine a lot of people being pretty happy with one lens if they bought the 18-135mm lens as their kit lens.

But once you slap on your first prime... lba begins....

The question of "if you could have only one lens ..." gets asked every so often. I'd like to know if anyone actually has only one lens. They've abandoned their LBA and they use their ILC Pentax body like a fixed lens system. This person has several 10's of thousands of images with their lone lens. They know every strength, weakness, and quirk of this lens. It's just a natural extension of their soul now. This person is so disciplined that they will sell this one lens before moving to another.

Any takers?

[c.a.m]

Coincidentally, earlier today I was skimming through a couple of my photography books. One of my favourite is The Amateur Photographer's Handbook, by Aaron Sussman. Some of you might know the book, or have a copy.

Here's what he had to say concerning choosing a camera:

Basic Considerations
"A camera with a sharp f/2.8 or f/2 lens and a shutter that goes to 1/500 second are about all you'll ever require. You may want a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens...but that's about it, as far as camera equipment goes"*

* Sussman, The Amateur Photographer's Handbook, Eighth Revised Edition, Thomas Y. Cromwell Company, 1973, p.120

Of course, he describes many types of cameras and lenses, but tends to emphasize not getting overloaded with gear, and becoming very familiar and expert with the equipment you do own. Technique is paramount.

This is not exactly in line with the "one lens" philosophy, but I think it's fair to think about using a relatively small number of lenses for most of your work.

(BTW, I'm not in either the "one lens" or "small number of lenses" boat.)

- Craig

[aleonx3]

I have seen/known quite a few Canikon users with only one lens in possession and usually with 18-200 zoom lens or variant and use them like bridge cameras.

[cake]

Ok, let me loosen the question a bit. How many here have only one lens, not counting the goofy 18-55?

I am also here in this category, dreaming all day about what could be the perfect lenses, but still wandering around with my only 18-135 WR, which I have to say I am quite pleased with.
But still my wife have 2 big sacks full of shoes in the pantry, that she can't even remember what is inside and I guess will never have chance to wear some of them again, not saying about the wardrobe doors that barely can close.... for some obvious reason....
so does that count?.... at least a little?

[yorik]

I have only one sigma lens...

[Not a Number]

I only have one AF lens, but it's the goofy one so I guess it doesn't count.

[Pepe Le Pew]

Haven't touched that goofy lense in awhile.......

---------- Post added 05-17-15 at 01:30 AM ----------

I only have one AF lens, but it's the goofy one so I guess it doesn't count.

The nifty 50 is a great lense

[Dartmoor Dave]

I went for about ten years back in the nineties with a little Olympus XA as my only camera, with a fixed 35mm/2.8 lens. Some of my all-time favourite photos come from that period, and I've got big prints of two of them on the wall right here beside me. Only having the one lens never really felt like a handicap -- I learned to see things naturally at that focal length, and the camera became so much a part of me that I could shoot entirely by instinct.

I don't see the point of having a DSLR with only lens though. Something like a Fuji X100 or Leica X would be a much better one lens alternative.

[Sandy Hancock]

Only having one lens for an ILC is a crime against nature.

[Not a Number]

Colonel Klink

[clackers]

If I had to, it would be the 35mm Sigma f1.4 Art, zooming with the feet.

[boriscleto]

I have seen/known quite a few Canikon users with only one lens in possession and usually with 18-200 zoom lens or variant and use them like bridge cameras.

But because it's a SLR it's "The camera that takes the good pictures".

[Kerrowdown]

Does anyone have just one lens?

Does just using the one that's mounted on the camera at any one time count?

[6BQ5]

You might as well get a fixed lens camera if you don't want to change lenses.

What could match something like a K-30 with a DA 35mm mounted on it? I'd be missing an awesome OVF, clean ergonomics, and a great sensor. Shop used and this can be had for ~$300. Just pure camera.