what's your favourite lens?

This past weekend, I attended a conference with fellow Shutter Sister Tracey Clark.  At one point in the conference, an attendee approached us:

"I have a question:  I'm about to buy a new lens.  What's your favourite lens to shoot with?"

Both Tracey and I both hesitated before answering.  The truth is that my "favourite" tends to move around a lot -- sometimes, when I'm in portrait-taking mode, my 24-85 mm is all I can see.  If I've been tapping in my inner photojournalist, I adore my 70-200mm lens.  And when I'm all about getting in close, my 60mm Nikkor Micro is the only one that gets any air time.

Finally, Tracey spoke:  "You know what?  I'm really enjoying my Lensbaby," she said.

And then I added, "Recently, I've dusted off an ancient, fully manual 50mm f1.4, and I'm loving the images that it can capture (like the shot above)."

What about you?  What's your favourite lens these days?

Comments

[Alejandra]

The timing of this post is great. Last Saturday, I dusted off my Canon 50 mm f.1.4. I was quickly reminded why it's my favorite lens:

http://fotografias-fotografias.blogspot.com/

Alejandra

[Tracey Clark]

I remember that conversation Karen. Yes, I am loving it...it's been fun to see the world through the artful eye of a Lensbaby. It really ignites a certain creative spark that I like to rekindle by mixing it up lens wise.
My 'everyday' lens is my 5O (compact macro). I tell EVERYONE to get one.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12145-USA/Canon_2537A003_50mm_f_2_5_Compact_Macro.html/BI/2428/KBID/3263

[Dr. S]

I have two lenses that I prize--my Canon 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 and my Canon 50 f/1.4. I have dreams of getting the 16-35 f/2.8 L, though it's going to be awhile...

[Amanda Johnston]

That's a gorgeous shot! My go-to lens is the NIkkor 50mm 1.8. But I absolutely adore my Sigma 105mm 2.8 macro. I get great shots like these: http://endlesslightcreations.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-favorite-lens.html

[Vanessa]

Right now, the only lens that gets any play is my 50mm 1.8 lens. My hubs gave it to me for our anniversary (the same anniversary where we agreed there'd be no gifting). I love the intimacy of the images and it kicks ass when lighting is low. Definitely the current go-to lens for me! But a lensbaby is definitely the next addition slated to join the others in my camera bag!

[Alan]

Canon 35mm f/1.4 L

[Lu]

Right now, I am enjoying the Lensbaby. Makes me think about how I want to shoot.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ldb/3248569457/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ldb/3248561751/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ldb/3182506226/

[Janice]

Definitely my 50mm 1.4 although I am drooling for the 85mm 1.2L {sigh}. Maybe someday....

Amazing photo. Love your blog!!!

[Leslie]

Right now my favorite is the 50 1.8 canon lens...

[Leslie]

http://lesliephoto.blogspot.com/
here's the image...

[Lindsay]

I love the 50mm 1.4...but I have to say that my 100mm macro is so much fun!

[liz]

Well I only have two lenses and I adore them both! Canon EF 50mm 1.8 and Canon EF 24-70mm 2.8 L USM. I sometimes shoot with close up filters on the 50mm, but would love to get a macro. Also a 70-200 would be nice.

[spread your wings]

recently i've kept the sigma 30mm lens on the camera

i love this photograph. redbud trees are one of my favorites especially since they're one of the first to bloom in the spring.

[april]

LOVE my 16-35 2.8L! Hands down my favorite lens. I shoot mainly pet photos & this lens is so much fun!! =)

[mika]

i use my sigma 30mm f/1.4 far more than any of my other lenses... all thanks to feedback from shutter sister sarah-ji!

[Jamie]

I do heart my 70-200. :)

[Angela Giles Klocke]

Mine is currently the 24-70mm and that's because it's brand new :D So, even though I am still learning it, I'm madly in love!

[Jen]

Dear.... I have two...the Nikkor 105mm 2.8f VR and the Nikkor 85mm 1.4f. Seriously superb pictures without much effort. I wish I owned them, they were rented. :(

[Nessa]

Yes - the picture is beautiful and is just another prompt to get the 50mm 1.4, that I see is a wonderful lens in clarity, bokeh and low light. A few months ago I bought a 100mm macro. I will treasure this lens always, it has enhanced how I use my camera, how I see the small things in life I might have otherwise missed and challenged me to live up to the quality of the lens - I have a long way to go but it is just a pleasure and hasn't really left my camera since it arrived))

[Kyla]

At the moment, I've been challenged to start using the manual exposure settings on my camera. (I'm VERY MUCH an amateur!) So my favorite lens to practise with is my standard 18-55mm . . . at least until I get the hang of using my manual settings.

http://thekreativelife.blogspot.com/2009/02/playing-and-learning.html

[leaca]

I hardly ever take my 50mm 1.4 off of my camera unless I am doing portraits or action shots.

[mary]

Your shot is just gorgeous! I'm loving my 60mm Nikkor Micro, too.:

http://inasoftlight.blogspot.com/2009/02/letting-go.html

[sebrina]

My fav lens is my Canon 50mm F1/8. I am saving up to buy a lenbaby and a Canon 100mm macro lens :) I lust after a 24-70mm F2.8 L series!! So many choices!!!

[Alicia]

As a new DSLR camera owner, I'm still playing with the one lens I own - 18-55mm... but dreaming of owning a macro! I attempt to get as close as I can with my starter lens....

http://aliandsethinthecity.blogspot.com/2009/02/botanical-garden-fends-off-spring-fever.html

[Meg]

Right now I love my canon 50mm f/1.4 for shots like these...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7565577@N04/3306804176/

but, i think my number 1 will always be my canon 16-35mm f/1.2.8. its just awesome.

[laura-dolcepics]

My favourite lens has to be the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8. I love the range (especially on an FX body) from wide to portrait length.

Here's a wide portrait:

http://www.dolcepics.com/dailypic/on-the-open-sea/

I sure would like a lensbaby though! :)

[Shell]

I am madly in love with my 85mm f1.8, wide-open portraits especially. The 50mm focal length just wasn't cutting it for me; I got the 85mm in the past couple of months and it's everything I was missing. It's wonderfully crisp and has beautiful depth of focus.

http://www.shellbailey.com/sarahanderic/h2ff3d2fd#h2ff3d2fd

[Katy]

It's nothing many other respondents haven't already said, but I do love my Canon 50mm 1.8! It's the cheapest of all my lenses, and it makes that loud *clunk* when it focuses...but what bokeh! What versatility! It takes wonderful portraits and wonderful still lifes, AND wonderful shots of flowers and other growing things. And it's small enough to be easily portable for those days when you're just wandering with a camera to see what you can see.

[Grey Street Girl]

For me, it's a close race between my 105mm macro and my 50mm f/1.4. They're both awesome lenses. Of course, I wouldn't turn up my nose to a Lensbaby if I happened to acquire one. :)

Beautiful shot!

[Lisa B]

hands down my 24-702.8 L (aka the BRICK) , however my 70-200 2.8L is really gaining my attention lately!

[robin]

It's funny but not that many years ago the use of a single focal length lens like a 50mm had been Ll nut ignored by many digital camera enthusiasts who instead preferred a zoom for most things. A d now look so many here are loving these beauties. My first and only lens for sometime was a 50 f/1.4 and I will always love it for what it taught me.

[Charlane]

mine goes back and forth between my 50mm 1.8 to my 100mm 2.8

[The Bossy Yankee]

I LOVE MY 50mm, love it!

[Kacey]

My 70-200mm f/4 IS L lens...that I hid when we went on vacation and I didn't take it. Then couldn't find it... PANIC.
http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2008/11/07/memory-problems/

[Puna]

I loved reading all of your comments. It gives me such inspiration! To shop! Right now, all I use is my kit lens that came with my Nikon D40. I have a long Nikkor 70-300 mm that my husband gave me and I love that for action shots of my girl jumping her horse. Thanks for giving me a couple of great ideas about what to wish for next!

[jen]

Slightly off topic, but I read this website in an RSS feed reader and I don't get the images showing up. As this is a photo blog it would make my feed reading experience much more valuable - and I do visit the actual website as well.

Onto lenses - oh how I dream for a digital SLR.

[Trude]

I have to say ditto on the 50mm f/1.4! It's the lens I bought (thanks to some wonderful digi friends' recommendations) when I upgraded to my dSLR, rather than the kit lens, and I'm SO thankful I did. I've since gotten a zoom lens too, but the 50 is what I reach for most often. It really pushes me to think about composition and framing, besides how fast it is in low light and the results are like buttah! :) Like this one, for example: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudem/3305799400/

[elizabeth]

I love my 50mm. I love it so much that my other lenses go dusty and un-used, which is not what I expected. :)

[Jen May]

50mm 1.2 is a wonderful one. I'm also currently trying the Zeiss 50 1.4 lens. You can read more about that review on my blog.

[Amber(Homeschool Diva)]

I <3 my 60mm.

[Lecia]

My favorite is the Canon 85L I, but it is slow to focus so doesn't work for many of my action shots of two busy kids. It is a beautiful portrait lens when they are relatively inactive.

[Leslie]

My littlest pulled my camera off the kitchen counter with my standard 28-70mm on it, right on the lens. A blessing in disguise, because I now have found new love for my Canon 50mm 1.8. I do love it for shots like these:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturemama/3268584254/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturemama/3239574951/

But with a wedding shoot coming up, I decided to go with the Canon 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 for more flexibility, and it should be here tomorrow. I'm hoping to be thrilled! Perfect timing for this post, though. It's nice to see everyone else's input, so this summer when I make my hobby an official business I have some more ideas for new lenses! Can't wait to earn that Lensbaby!

[Bet]

My Nifty 50
love it

[Paper Dolls For Boys]

I just got a Nikon 50mm 1.8. It's not automatic focus on my Nikon D60 but I love her just the same.

[Imelda]

I remember this conversion.. wasn't it me that asked you both your favorite lenses?

I would soo love a Composer after playing with one at Photo Camp Houston in January.

Right now I'm really loving my new Sigma 30mm 1.4 I got about a month ago. I love the speed of it and just love fixed lenses more than zoom overall.

[Joscelyne Cutchens]

I love my canon 50 1.4. it has been the constant companion to my 40D... On valentine's day my hubby sprung for my newest love, the 10-22. I LOOOVE it. I also got a sigma 105 2.8 that's pretty cool too. but so loving the wide.
http://www.cutchens.com/2009/02/super-13th/

[GypsyAlex]

Great question, friend! I've been experimenting and renting several lens lately. I'm a Cannon girl and I'm currently really in love with the 24-70 & 24-105. They just hit my sweet spot. I tried to hang with the 50mm, but I don't think I'm a prime lens kind of girl. I move to much and although I like to get close, I'm darn sneaky too and love to shoot from afar, so a zoom lens suits me better. Thanks for prompting this chat! I love to hear what people have to say and how the move with ~ use ~ their lenses ...

[Aimee Greeblemonkey]

Depends on what I am shooting, but my old faithful is my Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM... just cause it's more flexible... but for my macros I use Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro. I also have a Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM that is great in low light, but I prefer to be up in people's faces, so I don't use that one as much.

[chocolate covered musings]

i have two faves:

1. my 70-300 with image stabiliser - great for capturing candid moments without being intrusive, or getting closer to something that's physically impossible to be nearer to
2. my newlay acquired 50mm f/1.8 - still learning how to use this one and having some great fun with it.