What are your most used lens and what do you use them for? What lens do you have that

**dadipentak** · 05-30-2012, 07:24 PM

Well, let's see:

The Sigma 500 is the go-to for wildlife, of course. but I keep the Tamron 300/2.8 in my car 'cause you never know...

The Sigma 50-150 & 100-300 zooms are primarily for sports but I often take the longer one with me when I go out with a bag of short primes.

My favorites for candid portraits are the FA 77 & 135.

The Sigma 70 macro gets a fair amount of use (flowers bugs, cats and the occasional grab portrait.)

Then there's the set of short primes (DA 15, A 20, FA 31, DA 35 Macro) in my walk-around kit (plus the non-macro A 100 and an assortment of A zooms which I mix in from time to time.)

Actually, my least used lenses are the FA 43 and the Tamron 28-75--I just find FLs between 35 and 70mm kind of boring.

Crosshair · 05-31-2012, 04:52 AM

well, depends. it's generally sigma 30mm 1.4 for general. but for the past 2 weeks I've been playing with the cheapo helios 44-2 I acquired recently, while bigger guns are laying put.

Jonathan Mac · 05-31-2012, 05:37 AM

The Tammy 17-50 gets most use as it's great for family events and also for travel. For photo walks just for pleasure, the DA35 ltd or any one of my many manual lenses.

Sandy Hancock · 05-31-2012, 05:48 AM

DA10-17: special effects
DA*16-50 (or until recently Sigma EX 17-50): so versatile
DA21: perfect walk-around
FA77: go-to for people
Sigma EXII 70-200: live gigs

steve1307 · 05-31-2012, 07:07 AM

Lets see so far this year (use exposureplot)

January: a lot of DA*300 - must of been when on holidays did some hiking in wetlands / bird shooting.
also a bit of DA15 and FA43 in equal measures

February: big spike for FA43 - son's 5th birthday and party (family shots is what the 43 is best for)
also an even spread from 15 mm to 135mm - oh I had just bought 18-135.

March: nearly all DA15 - worked pretty hard in march most shots we documenting construction progress at a site for work. Wide angle is very good for indoors if you don't mind practising slow shutter speeds. (mostly 1/2s - 1/40s handheld)

April: a lot of DA15 again - still working at site.
a bit of sports (under 6's soccer team) DA18-135 - the little kids play on a much smaller field so no longer lens needed.

May: Quite a few DFA100WR so must have been doing so close up macro.
an even spread from 15 and 18-300
DA 18-135 and DA55-300 were used for children's soccer again. I found that the DA18-135 focused much faster and more accurately than the DA55-300. Partly because of the mechanism itself and mainly because of my (lack of) ability lining up the action for AF. I found it easier to shoot slightly wider and then crop some shots later. (sent some of the action shots out to my son's teammates, they seemed to like them).

lammie200 · 05-31-2012, 09:08 AM

Last weekend I used my SMC A 200mm f4 for the SF Carnivale parade. Slightly long but lots of really nice keepers. I will try to post some here this weekend. Parades with manual focus are challenging. I also have been using a Sigma 16mm FE A lens lately. Coming from a Nikon FE SLR background I am hung up on manual focusing with my dSLR's. I do like the kit 18-55 and the 35mm f2.4, but I also have an FA J 75-300. Can't seem to get much good out of that one. I wish that I could spend to get some limiteds, but I am content going old school. I am at a stopping point with my gear - at least until I sell off a few lenses that I don't use so I can get more!

**savoche** · 05-31-2012, 11:57 PM

For walkabouts and 'scapes I'm currently using the DA15 ltd and DA35 2.4 most of the time - nice combo. For wildlife there's always the 55-300.

Clavius · 06-01-2012, 01:18 AM

Oh that varies a lot! Here goes:

Currently, my most used lens would be the Porst 55 f1.2. It's just so much fun to use. For portraits and available light photografy.

But in general, it would be the DA35ltd. It's the ideal focal length for me. And it's sharpness is very important to me.

And the DA 10-17 is the one that I should use more. I just don't have the oppertunity often enough for that kind of shots. That lens is a lot of fun too!

RioRico · 06-01-2012, 01:52 AM

Originally posted by Clavius

Currently, my most used lens would be the Porst 55 f1.2. It's just so much fun to use. For portraits and available light photografy.

I should take my K50/1.2 out more. I just feel so protective. Sunday should be f/1.2 day.

Quote:

And the DA 10-17 is the one that I should use more. I just don't have the oppertunity often enough for that kind of shots. That lens is a lot of fun too!

The way to get the opportunity is to force it. Put the 10-17 FEZ on your camera and use nothing else, leave the rest behind (or at least in a fanny-pack). Do this as an LOTD (lens of the day) event. Shoot with just one lens for a day or ten. This FORCES us to SEE, to be hopeful and critical and ambitious. If what's in front of you looks hopeless, stop and think. Haste is the enemy. If I look slowly and intently enough, I'll see something worth framing and capturing. (That's what I tell myself when I take the DA10-17 out into the woods, eh?)

Clavius · 06-01-2012, 02:17 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

The way to get the opportunity is to force it. Put the 10-17 FEZ on your camera and use nothing else, leave the rest behind (or at least in a fanny-pack). Do this as an LOTD (lens of the day) event. Shoot with just one lens for a day or ten. This FORCES us to SEE, to be hopeful and critical and ambitious. If what's in front of you looks hopeless, stop and think. Haste is the enemy. If I look slowly and intently enough, I'll see something worth framing and capturing. (That's what I tell myself when I take the DA10-17 out into the woods, eh?)

I'm sure going to try that advice, thanks.

But he DA 10-17 in the woods... I don't know; it's kinda scary with all the trees comming straight at me when I look through the viewfinder. Maybe LV only in that situation.

**pearsaab** · 06-01-2012, 05:29 AM

i have enjoyed hearing what everyone uses their lens for...thanks for the great feedback!!! amy

**NaClH2O** · 06-01-2012, 06:53 AM

But I do have a "favorite lens of the moment". And that changes from time to time. At one time I would have said the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. Then maybe the DA 12-24 f/4.0. For a while I was in love with the FA 43 ltd, But I'm fickle, my love got transfered to the FA 31 ltd.
At various periods I've also fixated on the Tamron 90 f/2.8 macro, the DA 16-50 f/2.8, the FA 20 f/2.8, and the K 135 f/2.5.

NaCl( Q-what is my favorite lens? A-the one that is on the camera now)H2O

eddie1960 · 06-01-2012, 08:36 AM

Originally posted by NaClH2O

NaCl( Q-what is my favorite lens? A-the one that is on the camera now)H2O

that is the best answer

so today mine is the 18-55 wr because it's my only wr lens and it's raining cats and dogs here

weakhead · 06-01-2012, 08:44 AM

MC Helios 44K-4
For everything, which means:
- landscapes
- cityscapes
- nature
- far macro (with Raynox DCR-150)
- and other misc. stuff

I've been lucky with my copy. When used right, it can be very sharp.
Actually, that's my only lens excluding 18-55 WR, which I don't use now. That's a different league when speaking of IQ. Maybe I will use it when I feel like shooting in rain or snow.

sadatoni · 06-04-2012, 09:23 AM

Must used: the Pentax branded Tamron 18-250mm
Next, occasionally used: Sigma 50-500mm.

There are a few others that are very seldom used, so I won't mention them.

06-01-2012, 06:53 AM	#42
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Over time, no one particular lens But I do have a "favorite lens of the moment". And that changes from time to time. At one time I would have said the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. Then maybe the DA 12-24 f/4.0. For a while I was in love with the FA 43 ltd, But I'm fickle, my love got transfered to the FA 31 ltd. At various periods I've also fixated on the Tamron 90 f/2.8 macro, the DA 16-50 f/2.8, the FA 20 f/2.8, and the K 135 f/2.5. NaCl( Q-what is my favorite lens? A-the one that is on the camera now)H2O

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05-30-2012, 07:24 PM	#31
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Well, let's see: The Sigma 500 is the go-to for wildlife, of course. but I keep the Tamron 300/2.8 in my car 'cause you never know... The Sigma 50-150 & 100-300 zooms are primarily for sports but I often take the longer one with me when I go out with a bag of short primes. My favorites for candid portraits are the FA 77 & 135. The Sigma 70 macro gets a fair amount of use (flowers bugs, cats and the occasional grab portrait.) Then there's the set of short primes (DA 15, A 20, FA 31, DA 35 Macro) in my walk-around kit (plus the non-macro A 100 and an assortment of A zooms which I mix in from time to time.) Actually, my least used lenses are the FA 43 and the Tamron 28-75--I just find FLs between 35 and 70mm kind of boring.

05-31-2012, 04:52 AM	#32
Crosshair Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Istanbul Posts: 332	well, depends. it's generally sigma 30mm 1.4 for general. but for the past 2 weeks I've been playing with the cheapo helios 44-2 I acquired recently, while bigger guns are laying put.

05-31-2012, 05:37 AM	#33
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,894	The Tammy 17-50 gets most use as it's great for family events and also for travel. For photo walks just for pleasure, the DA35 ltd or any one of my many manual lenses.

05-31-2012, 05:48 AM	#34
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	DA10-17: special effects DA*16-50 (or until recently Sigma EX 17-50): so versatile DA21: perfect walk-around FA77: go-to for people Sigma EXII 70-200: live gigs

05-31-2012, 07:07 AM	#35
steve1307 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,130	Lets see so far this year (use exposureplot) January: a lot of DA*300 - must of been when on holidays did some hiking in wetlands / bird shooting. also a bit of DA15 and FA43 in equal measures February: big spike for FA43 - son's 5th birthday and party (family shots is what the 43 is best for) also an even spread from 15 mm to 135mm - oh I had just bought 18-135. March: nearly all DA15 - worked pretty hard in march most shots we documenting construction progress at a site for work. Wide angle is very good for indoors if you don't mind practising slow shutter speeds. (mostly 1/2s - 1/40s handheld) April: a lot of DA15 again - still working at site. a bit of sports (under 6's soccer team) DA18-135 - the little kids play on a much smaller field so no longer lens needed. May: Quite a few DFA100WR so must have been doing so close up macro. an even spread from 15 and 18-300 DA 18-135 and DA55-300 were used for children's soccer again. I found that the DA18-135 focused much faster and more accurately than the DA55-300. Partly because of the mechanism itself and mainly because of my (lack of) ability lining up the action for AF. I found it easier to shoot slightly wider and then crop some shots later. (sent some of the action shots out to my son's teammates, they seemed to like them).

05-31-2012, 09:08 AM	#36
lammie200 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Francisco Photos: Albums Posts: 1,033	Last weekend I used my SMC A 200mm f4 for the SF Carnivale parade. Slightly long but lots of really nice keepers. I will try to post some here this weekend. Parades with manual focus are challenging. I also have been using a Sigma 16mm FE A lens lately. Coming from a Nikon FE SLR background I am hung up on manual focusing with my dSLR's. I do like the kit 18-55 and the 35mm f2.4, but I also have an FA J 75-300. Can't seem to get much good out of that one. I wish that I could spend to get some limiteds, but I am content going old school. I am at a stopping point with my gear - at least until I sell off a few lenses that I don't use so I can get more!

05-31-2012, 11:57 PM	#37
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	For walkabouts and 'scapes I'm currently using the DA15 ltd and DA35 2.4 most of the time - nice combo. For wildlife there's always the 55-300.

06-01-2012, 01:18 AM	#38
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	Oh that varies a lot! Here goes: Currently, my most used lens would be the Porst 55 f1.2. It's just so much fun to use. For portraits and available light photografy. But in general, it would be the DA35ltd. It's the ideal focal length for me. And it's sharpness is very important to me. And the DA 10-17 is the one that I should use more. I just don't have the oppertunity often enough for that kind of shots. That lens is a lot of fun too!

06-01-2012, 01:52 AM	#39
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Clavius Currently, my most used lens would be the Porst 55 f1.2. It's just so much fun to use. For portraits and available light photografy. I should take my K50/1.2 out more. I just feel so protective. Sunday should be f/1.2 day. Quote: And the DA 10-17 is the one that I should use more. I just don't have the oppertunity often enough for that kind of shots. That lens is a lot of fun too! The way to get the opportunity is to force it. Put the 10-17 FEZ on your camera and use nothing else, leave the rest behind (or at least in a fanny-pack). Do this as an LOTD (lens of the day) event. Shoot with just one lens for a day or ten. This FORCES us to SEE, to be hopeful and critical and ambitious. If what's in front of you looks hopeless, stop and think. Haste is the enemy. If I look slowly and intently enough, I'll see something worth framing and capturing. (That's what I tell myself when I take the DA10-17 out into the woods, eh?)

06-01-2012, 02:17 AM	#40
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	Originally posted by RioRico The way to get the opportunity is to force it. Put the 10-17 FEZ on your camera and use nothing else, leave the rest behind (or at least in a fanny-pack). Do this as an LOTD (lens of the day) event. Shoot with just one lens for a day or ten. This FORCES us to SEE, to be hopeful and critical and ambitious. If what's in front of you looks hopeless, stop and think. Haste is the enemy. If I look slowly and intently enough, I'll see something worth framing and capturing. (That's what I tell myself when I take the DA10-17 out into the woods, eh?) I'm sure going to try that advice, thanks. But he DA 10-17 in the woods... I don't know; it's kinda scary with all the trees comming straight at me when I look through the viewfinder. Maybe LV only in that situation.

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06-01-2012, 05:29 AM	#41
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900 Original Poster	i have enjoyed hearing what everyone uses their lens for...thanks for the great feedback!!! amy

06-01-2012, 08:36 AM	#43
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by NaClH2O NaCl( Q-what is my favorite lens? A-the one that is on the camera now)H2O that is the best answer so today mine is the 18-55 wr because it's my only wr lens and it's raining cats and dogs here

06-01-2012, 08:44 AM	#44
weakhead Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 73	MC Helios 44K-4 For everything, which means: - landscapes - cityscapes - nature - far macro (with Raynox DCR-150) - and other misc. stuff I've been lucky with my copy. When used right, it can be very sharp. Actually, that's my only lens excluding 18-55 WR, which I don't use now. That's a different league when speaking of IQ. Maybe I will use it when I feel like shooting in rain or snow.

06-04-2012, 09:23 AM	#45
sadatoni Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 87	Must used: the Pentax branded Tamron 18-250mm Next, occasionally used: Sigma 50-500mm. There are a few others that are very seldom used, so I won't mention them.