Lens choices

Gang,

I just wanted to get some oversight on my current lens choices. I just want to know if I'm overdoing it and maybe can dial some of these down. This what I think I want to be at by the end of the year:

1. 17-40mm - I think this is a useful lens but I honestly can't tell you that I'd use it in the business, maybe for some group shots. I just like the pictures I've seen in the gallery a lot and like the idea of getting some of those shots with my own gear.

2. 70-200mm 2.8 - I already own this.

3. 100mm 2.8 Macro - I already own this. i know its not a traditional portrait lens but I've got some great shots out of this. I mostly use it for cigar photography however.

4. 24-105mm - I already own this. Good walking around lens and I use it to do walking around caught in the moment shots at events.

5. 85mm - I already own it but I never shoot it. I mean literally my policy is that when I buy a new lens for the next week I make myself shoot it exclusively so I can get used to it and figure out what its good for and not good for. I took that lens on a trip to Australia and following my idiotic mantra it was the only lens I took for the 10 days. While I got some shots I love I've never pulled that lens out of the bag since.

6. 50mm 1.2 - I'm on the fence here. I own a 1.4 and a 1.8 and I don't know if a 1.2 is a massive improvement over the 1.4 that I already love so much. And really except for the junky feel of it even the 1.8 gets a solid picture out of a situation. i think this one is probably a waste of money.

8. 24-70mm 2.8 - I have to say this is the lens I'm second most skeptical of. I've seen the pictures that come out of the lens and I love them but I don't know if I'd shoot it. Buying it may be more of an indulgence of my love of shinies than anything else.

What's your question?

I only own a 24-70 and a 70-200 (with a 1.4x for times I need it), haven't owned anything different for more than 5 years.

Could you get by with less? probably. It also depends on what you shoot and the circumstances you shoot under.

The 24-70 vs 24-105 debate will send you in circles. If you own one, I say stick with it.

I think it's never a bad idea to have 1 prime lens around, but I can never justify having both a 50mm and an 85mm unless you just like having lots of equipment around. You can probably get rid of one or both.

Addiction2k wrote in post #15519707
6. 50mm 1.2 - I'm on the fence here. I own a 1.4 and a 1.8 and I don't know if a 1.2 is a massive improvement over the 1.4 that I already love so much. .

IMO, the 1.2 isn't a good cost/value benefit over the 1.4, unless you have a very specific need.

It would really help to know what you shoot. It would be a very good and versatile kit. I'm not a fan of the 50, but I mostly do portraits and on full frame its a blah focal length for me.

I would give the 85mm a second "exclusive week". I don't think a trip is a fair evaluation to it. Maybe that gave you a bad, and unjustified, impression.
In other hand, the strengh of the 85 is at portraiture and you already have the 100 macro.

Thanks guys, this is the kind of feedback I was looking for. It sounds like since I have the 24-105mm I can skip the 24-70mm. Still kind of iffy on this, I'd like a second backup walk around lens.

And maybe having the 50mm, 85mm and 100mm is too much overlap. I'll give the 85mm another go next week (I've got three shoots this week and then a couple of weeks off shooting wise) to see what I think of it.

But the 85mm would have to show me A LOT to make me give up the 50mm, which I absolutely love using. I guess since I have it I could keep it as a sunk cost, its just I reach for the 50mm and then the 100mm. Also I'll push out the idea of upgrading to the 50 1.2, I didn't feel like I'd be gaining a lot there anyway.

And thanks again.

Hmm... I may have overlook it, but you didn't indicate what type of photography business you are up to. Perhaps if you can share a bit more we can give some suggestions.

veritasimg wrote in post #15522963
Hmm... I may have overlook it, but you didn't indicate what type of photography business you are up to. Perhaps if you can share a bit more we can give some suggestions.

Most of my work is portraiture, tho I've lately been afford some product photo opportunities.

Can't think why you'd want a 17-40 for portrait or Product work.
I bought one recently and I find it good for wedding/ social type work where you need a WA to get everyone in and get a bit closer for individuals. Not a lens I'm going to use a lot with the others I have but handy on occasion.

The 24-70 seems a complete waste given you have the 24-105.

Really, You know what you do, you know how you like to work and your own style, You don't need the approval of anyone else. You know what's going to suit you better than any other person can.

And don't get caught up in the " this lens is sharper than that lens" crap.
They are all more than amply sufficient quality wise these days and your clients nor any other shooter will never be able to tell what lens a pic is taken with in any event.

Buy what you want or need and enjoy.

glumpy wrote in post #15523238
Can't think why you'd want a 17-40 for portrait or Product work.
I bought one recently and I find it good for wedding/ social type work where you need a WA to get everyone in and get a bit closer for individuals. Not a lens I'm going to use a lot with the others I have but handy on occasion.

The 24-70 seems a complete waste given you have the 24-105.

Really, You know what you do, you know how you like to work and your own style, You don't need the approval of anyone else. You know what's going to suit you better than any other person can.

And don't get caught up in the " this lens is sharper than that lens" crap.
They are all more than amply sufficient quality wise these days and your clients nor any other shooter will never be able to tell what lens a pic is taken with in any event.

Buy what you want or need and enjoy.

Thanks Glumpy. Yeah I know I don't need a 17-40mm but I think I really want one lol.

Addiction2k wrote in post #15523029
Most of my work is portraiture, tho I've lately been afford some product photo opportunities.

What you have is quite adequate. Sounds like you are new to this. Perhaps give yourself some time to shoot around. Evaluate your images (most used FL, aperture, angle, settings..) then determine what to keep and what to bring in.

Addiction2k wrote in post #15523029
Most of my work is portraiture, tho I've lately been afford some product photo opportunities.

Well that certainly narrows it down quite a bit.

I don't understand something. Your primary (up until now) means of generating income via your photography business is portraiture, yet you can find little / no use for the 85mm? How can this be?!

I can understand how the 85L could be a poor choice for street or candids, but you posted this in "The Business of Photography" forum. Relatively few dollars are earned with street and candid imagery - so I assume anything you discuss here is strictly related to your professional/business endeavors, not just "walking around" opportunities.

For commercial product photography I would think you'd want to add a tilt shift lens to your bag - the 90mm T/S would be most useful for that type of photography.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #15524675
Well that certainly narrows it down quite a bit.

I don't understand something. Your primary (up until now) means of generating income via your photography business is portraiture, yet you can find little / no use for the 85mm? How can this be?!

I can understand how the 85L could be a poor choice for street or candids, but you posted this in "The Business of Photography" forum. Relatively few dollars are earned with street and candid imagery - so I assume anything you discuss here is strictly related to your professional/business endeavors, not just "walking around" opportunities.

For commercial product photography I would think you'd want to add a tilt shift lens to your bag - the 90mm T/S would be most useful for that type of photography.

Normally I shoot my 50mm or my 100mm, occasionally even my 24-105mm. I have a portrait session tomorrow, I'll shoot a few with the 85mm and see what I think.