Are you really using all of the lenses you own?

Jodokast96 · 07-16-2008, 11:39 AM

What I have:

Pentax DA 18-55/3.5-5.6
Pentax FA 50/1.4
Pentax A 50/1.7
Sigma 70-300/4-5.6 APO
Sigma K 35-70/2.8-4
Makinon 135/2.8 (arrived as I was typing this)

The least used (as in never) is the 35-70 followed by the A 50 (almost never). The biggest reason is that me and manual focus don't get along too well. However, the 50 will stay as it is really sharp, probably the sharpest of the bunch. When I got the 35-70 I was more interested in the TC that came with it. But I forced myself to take it out this past weekend, and got some pretty good results with it. Still haven't decided if it will stay or go.

drabina · 07-16-2008, 11:46 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

My wife asked me why I need two F2 bags. I told her it takes two bags to store my camera gear - one for the K10D and auto lenses and one for the KX and manual lenses.

She reached over my shoulder, clicked the ebay link and walked away.

That's funny. I would think my wife would do something like that too if I had two bags of lenses

I do not think I have ever owned more than 3-4 lenses. So looking at all the replies, I think I shouldn't have started this topic. Why do I complain if I have only three lenses

Big Dave · 07-16-2008, 12:25 PM

drabina,
I don't use all of my lenses, just as I don't use all of the clothes in my closet or tools in my garage. I enjoy tinkering with all of them from time to time. It is all about what keeps me happy, as long as the investment isn't to great. I only buy bargins, since I'm not a pro and can't write it off on taxes etc.

Dave

Originally posted by drabina

Disclaimer: I am only a casual photographer. Not a pro.

I have only three lenses:

Sigma 17-70mm
Pentax DA 50-200mm
Sigma Macro 50mm f/2.8

Sigma 17-70mm stays pretty much all the time on the K10D body. I have used macro lens only once and 50-200mm maybe five times since I got them about half a year ago. I usually take my camera for bike riding or to the park where my two year old kid plays so I only grab one lens and the camera. 90% of the time Sigma's 17-70mm focal length covers all my needs. Another 5% of the remaining 10% I can just simply get closer to the subject :-)

So it looks like I really do not need the extra two lenses. They just sit in the bag. I am thinking now about selling them to fund either dedicated P-TTL flash or maybe the DA 55-300mm. Flash would be better investment for me (me thinks).

What's your story. I know that a lot of you have way more lenses that I do but do you use them all?

flifishun · 07-16-2008, 01:00 PM

I sold off my longer tele's and lesser primes because they weren't used at all.
I've only used my wides a few times in the last couple years because I've been shooting medium format

I do love the 15mm at night with black and white film

drerka · 07-17-2008, 12:34 AM

When I go out to take photos, I pack my bag to fit the occasion. If the 70-300 from Sigma is too heavy for instance, I go with the Pentax 50-200. When portrait or Macro is my goal, I'll take the 77 Limited and the Tamron 90mm. And so on.

I find that I have a kit that gives me a lot of flexibility and that I use a lot, these are the Sigma's 10-20, 17-70 and 70-300mm. But I must admit that I love my primes and that I take these along more and more.

Roger.

vlo · 07-17-2008, 06:20 AM

No way am I able to use all of my lenses. Lets see…

Primes:

24 mm
3x 28 mm
35 mm
40 mm
3x 50 mm
2x 55 mm (one macro)
2x 105 mm (one macro)
2x 135 mm
200 mm
300 mm
400 mm
500 mm (mirror)

Zooms:

18 – 55 mm
19 – 35 mm
28 – 80 mm
28 – 105 mm
28 – 135 mm
35 – 70 mm
70 – 150 mm
70 – 300 mm

and two teleconverters

vlo

gkopeliadis · 07-17-2008, 06:40 AM

Originally posted by vlo

No way am I able to use all of my lenses. Lets see…

Primes:

24 mm
3x 28 mm
35 mm
40 mm
3x 50 mm
2x 55 mm (one macro)
2x 105 mm (one macro)
2x 135 mm
200 mm
300 mm
400 mm
500 mm (mirror)

Zooms:

18 – 55 mm
19 – 35 mm
28 – 80 mm
28 – 105 mm
28 – 135 mm
35 – 70 mm
70 – 150 mm
70 – 300 mm

and two teleconverters

vlo

So, why did you get them in the first place and still keep them?

joele · 07-17-2008, 07:02 AM

I use all of mine, some get used more than others, but if one is neglected for too long I just put it on the camera and leave the others at home when I go out to shoot.. ;-)

I have sold a few that I just didn't enjoy using..

vlo · 07-17-2008, 07:17 AM

Good question

Some of them are fairly old, I got my first Pentax in 1979. Also I seem to be unable to sell or give away any lens, I am a bit crazy that way. And, well, I just like them, specially older metal lenses. I do use them but not all of them all the time. Every now and them I buy a new one, so I quess I am a kind of as collector?

vlo

Big Dave · 07-17-2008, 04:09 PM

The one who dies with the most lenses wins!

Dave

Originally posted by vlo

Good question

Some of them are fairly old, I got my first Pentax in 1979. Also I seem to be unable to sell or give away any lens, I am a bit crazy that way. And, well, I just like them, specially older metal lenses. I do use them but not all of them all the time. Every now and them I buy a new one, so I quess I am a kind of as collector?

vlo

welshwizard645 · 07-18-2008, 01:44 AM

I use all of mine...some more than others...

Regular fixtures:

Sigma EX 24-70
Pentax FA 24-90
Sigma EX 70-200
Sigma EX 100-300
Pentax DA* 16-50
Pentax D-FA 100 f2.8 macro

Occasional fixtures

FA 28
FA 35
FA 50
FA* 85
Tak K Bayonet 135
Sigma 15-30
Sigma 20 f1.8
Tokina AT-X 400
F 35-70

Why?? It's because I keep a camera (Z-1p) and a few lenses at my GF's in London (I live in Holland). Occasioanally, I feel just like leaving the K10D at home and taking the Z-1 or MZ-S out with me..

axl · 07-18-2008, 02:25 AM

Not really, I have one lens (vivitar 28-70) which I'm not using at all, and two (Hoya 135 and Tamron 28-200) that see only ocasional use...
why? vivitar was purely impuslive purchase, and tamron isn't bad, but slow and is underexposing somewhat...
Anyway, I'd like to sell both, the tamron and vivitar, if anybody would be interested, plese let me know

jsherman999 · 06-10-2010, 08:40 PM

.

Sometimes I like to peruse really old threads, like 150 pages ago, just to revisit old forum members who have left, see old topics that went away, and old topics that are still with us.

I was just thinking about this subject - using all our lenses, etc - and saw this old thread that I remembered.

So, with new (and old) members - do you use all the lenses you own? Why or why not? (and what ever became of the "Lonely lens Club?" I may have to bump that one too!)

gokenin · 06-10-2010, 08:46 PM

I have to admit that I don't use all my lens as often as I should. I try to rotate them fairly often but not all of them make it and I can't bring myself to sell any of them,I know I should so that they will get the use they deserve but maybe someday I will sell them.

ducdao · 06-10-2010, 08:48 PM

Well to frank, I would love to use all the lenses that I have. Given my lenses collection is over 300 lenses now it would probably take me at least 5 more years to rotate them all providing I only keep a given lens not more than 1 week on my camera body. Also, that IF my LBA would somehow be cured!

Maybe I should buy more camera bodies so I can rotate my lenses more often???? OH no not CBA!

07-18-2008, 01:44 AM	#56
welshwizard645 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Denbigh, Wales Posts: 62	I use all of mine...some more than others... Regular fixtures: Sigma EX 24-70 Pentax FA 24-90 Sigma EX 70-200 Sigma EX 100-300 Pentax DA* 16-50 Pentax D-FA 100 f2.8 macro Occasional fixtures FA 28 FA 35 FA 50 FA* 85 Tak K Bayonet 135 Sigma 15-30 Sigma 20 f1.8 Tokina AT-X 400 F 35-70 Why?? It's because I keep a camera (Z-1p) and a few lenses at my GF's in London (I live in Holland). Occasioanally, I feel just like leaving the K10D at home and taking the Z-1 or MZ-S out with me.. Last edited by welshwizard645; 07-18-2008 at 04:15 AM.

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07-16-2008, 11:39 AM	#46
Jodokast96 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Erial, NJ USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,134	What I have: Pentax DA 18-55/3.5-5.6 Pentax FA 50/1.4 Pentax A 50/1.7 Sigma 70-300/4-5.6 APO Sigma K 35-70/2.8-4 Makinon 135/2.8 (arrived as I was typing this) The least used (as in never) is the 35-70 followed by the A 50 (almost never). The biggest reason is that me and manual focus don't get along too well. However, the 50 will stay as it is really sharp, probably the sharpest of the bunch. When I got the 35-70 I was more interested in the TC that came with it. But I forced myself to take it out this past weekend, and got some pretty good results with it. Still haven't decided if it will stay or go.

07-16-2008, 11:46 AM	#47
drabina Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 525 Original Poster	Originally posted by monochrome My wife asked me why I need two F2 bags. I told her it takes two bags to store my camera gear - one for the K10D and auto lenses and one for the KX and manual lenses. She reached over my shoulder, clicked the ebay link and walked away. That's funny. I would think my wife would do something like that too if I had two bags of lenses I do not think I have ever owned more than 3-4 lenses. So looking at all the replies, I think I shouldn't have started this topic. Why do I complain if I have only three lenses

07-16-2008, 12:25 PM	#48
Big Dave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 547	drabina, I don't use all of my lenses, just as I don't use all of the clothes in my closet or tools in my garage. I enjoy tinkering with all of them from time to time. It is all about what keeps me happy, as long as the investment isn't to great. I only buy bargins, since I'm not a pro and can't write it off on taxes etc. Dave Originally posted by drabina Disclaimer: I am only a casual photographer. Not a pro. I have only three lenses: Sigma 17-70mm Pentax DA 50-200mm Sigma Macro 50mm f/2.8 Sigma 17-70mm stays pretty much all the time on the K10D body. I have used macro lens only once and 50-200mm maybe five times since I got them about half a year ago. I usually take my camera for bike riding or to the park where my two year old kid plays so I only grab one lens and the camera. 90% of the time Sigma's 17-70mm focal length covers all my needs. Another 5% of the remaining 10% I can just simply get closer to the subject :-) So it looks like I really do not need the extra two lenses. They just sit in the bag. I am thinking now about selling them to fund either dedicated P-TTL flash or maybe the DA 55-300mm. Flash would be better investment for me (me thinks). What's your story. I know that a lot of you have way more lenses that I do but do you use them all?

07-16-2008, 01:00 PM	#49
flifishun New Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 6	I sold off my longer tele's and lesser primes because they weren't used at all. I've only used my wides a few times in the last couple years because I've been shooting medium format I do love the 15mm at night with black and white film

07-17-2008, 12:34 AM	#50
drerka Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 68	When I go out to take photos, I pack my bag to fit the occasion. If the 70-300 from Sigma is too heavy for instance, I go with the Pentax 50-200. When portrait or Macro is my goal, I'll take the 77 Limited and the Tamron 90mm. And so on. I find that I have a kit that gives me a lot of flexibility and that I use a lot, these are the Sigma's 10-20, 17-70 and 70-300mm. But I must admit that I love my primes and that I take these along more and more. Roger.

07-17-2008, 06:20 AM	#51
vlo Inactive Account Join Date: May 2008 Location: Oulu, Finland Posts: 18	No way am I able to use all of my lenses. Lets see… Primes: 24 mm 3x 28 mm 35 mm 40 mm 3x 50 mm 2x 55 mm (one macro) 2x 105 mm (one macro) 2x 135 mm 200 mm 300 mm 400 mm 500 mm (mirror) Zooms: 18 – 55 mm 19 – 35 mm 28 – 80 mm 28 – 105 mm 28 – 135 mm 35 – 70 mm 70 – 150 mm 70 – 300 mm and two teleconverters vlo

07-17-2008, 06:40 AM	#52
gkopeliadis Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: ATHENS, GREECE Posts: 308	Originally posted by vlo No way am I able to use all of my lenses. Lets see… Primes: 24 mm 3x 28 mm 35 mm 40 mm 3x 50 mm 2x 55 mm (one macro) 2x 105 mm (one macro) 2x 135 mm 200 mm 300 mm 400 mm 500 mm (mirror) Zooms: 18 – 55 mm 19 – 35 mm 28 – 80 mm 28 – 105 mm 28 – 135 mm 35 – 70 mm 70 – 150 mm 70 – 300 mm and two teleconverters vlo So, why did you get them in the first place and still keep them?

07-17-2008, 07:02 AM	#53
joele Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,308	I use all of mine, some get used more than others, but if one is neglected for too long I just put it on the camera and leave the others at home when I go out to shoot.. ;-) I have sold a few that I just didn't enjoy using..

07-17-2008, 07:17 AM	#54
vlo Inactive Account Join Date: May 2008 Location: Oulu, Finland Posts: 18	Good question Some of them are fairly old, I got my first Pentax in 1979. Also I seem to be unable to sell or give away any lens, I am a bit crazy that way. And, well, I just like them, specially older metal lenses. I do use them but not all of them all the time. Every now and them I buy a new one, so I quess I am a kind of as collector? vlo

07-17-2008, 04:09 PM	#55
Big Dave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 547	The one who dies with the most lenses wins! Dave Originally posted by vlo Good question Some of them are fairly old, I got my first Pentax in 1979. Also I seem to be unable to sell or give away any lens, I am a bit crazy that way. And, well, I just like them, specially older metal lenses. I do use them but not all of them all the time. Every now and them I buy a new one, so I quess I am a kind of as collector? vlo

07-18-2008, 02:25 AM	#57
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Not really, I have one lens (vivitar 28-70) which I'm not using at all, and two (Hoya 135 and Tamron 28-200) that see only ocasional use... why? vivitar was purely impuslive purchase, and tamron isn't bad, but slow and is underexposing somewhat... Anyway, I'd like to sell both, the tamron and vivitar, if anybody would be interested, plese let me know

06-10-2010, 08:40 PM	#58
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	. Sometimes I like to peruse really old threads, like 150 pages ago, just to revisit old forum members who have left, see old topics that went away, and old topics that are still with us. I was just thinking about this subject - using all our lenses, etc - and saw this old thread that I remembered. So, with new (and old) members - do you use all the lenses you own? Why or why not? (and what ever became of the "Lonely lens Club?" I may have to bump that one too!)

06-10-2010, 08:46 PM	#59
gokenin Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: lowell,ma Posts: 1,899	I have to admit that I don't use all my lens as often as I should. I try to rotate them fairly often but not all of them make it and I can't bring myself to sell any of them,I know I should so that they will get the use they deserve but maybe someday I will sell them.

06-10-2010, 08:48 PM	#60
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160	Well to frank, I would love to use all the lenses that I have. Given my lenses collection is over 300 lenses now it would probably take me at least 5 more years to rotate them all providing I only keep a given lens not more than 1 week on my camera body. Also, that IF my LBA would somehow be cured! Maybe I should buy more camera bodies so I can rotate my lenses more often???? OH no not CBA!