Your Realistic 3-5 Lens Collection

LOL, Wonder how many times I have changed since I started this

RF 15-35 f/2.8L IS USM (already own)
RF 28-70 f/2L USM

Then it would be between the RF 85 f/1.2L and a potential 135 f/2 if they come out with one. It would be nice to have the nice bokeh from a 1.2, but I may need the reach of the 135. I've always been a big fan of primes, but with kids, it's more and more appealing for a zoom. Since they seem to never hold still and are always "zooming." Bad Dad pun intended.

Lets keep it going

MatthewK wrote in post #18256673
I've had a change of mind on what I'd consider my minimal lens lineup. The 100-400 II, with its super close MFD, can actually replace the 100L Macro lens option. It's not true macro, but it's close enough to be viable. At one point I stated I'd never get rid of the 100L, but times have changed. Another change is swapping back to the 16-35 f/4 IS from the new f/2.8 III; the switch to the f/2.8III was made because of paid work commitments that require the faster aperture.

16-35 f/4
100-400 II
70-200 f/2.8L II
50L


Are we counting the 1.4x converter as a lens? If so, add that in for the #5 slot, and close the case.

Would this be considered a realistic collection?

I posted this in 2017, and I still believe that this is a spectacular, realistic, do-everything line up. Yet, all of that gear is long gone, replaced with smaller + lighter equipment from Fuji and Nikon. I'm more specialized now too, so I rarely shoot with zooms anymore.

Fuji 16 f/1.4
Fuji 35 f/1.4
Fuji 18-55 or 16-80
Fuji X100V
Nikon 500mm f/5.6 PF

Realistically, I would be perfectly content with just the X100V and Nikon D500 + 500PF, as these two have me covered for pretty much everything I generally want to do (family/travel/birds). The X100V has a built in digital TC for 50 and 70mm of reach when I need it, but there's an IQ hit for that, so I only use it in a pinch.

The Fuji 16 f/1.4 is a "swiss army knife" kind of lens, it's a fantastic and fun to shoot with, especially comes in handy for capturing closeup shots of my family indoors. The IQ is exquisite and the minimum focusing distance is almost macro, which is a huge plus for me.

The Fuji 35 f/1.4 has taken the place of my beloved 50L. These are "character" lenses, I have them for their look, and both of these optics are so fun to use.

I actually don't have the 18-55 or 16-80 now, but I eventually will acquire one once we start traveling again.

It’s been awhile but I’ve added an EF 70-200/2.8LIS to my kit earlier this year. Although I specialize in Food images, I also shoot Lifestyle and a little Real Estate from time to time and I don’t really need another lens but a 35LII would round it out well. Currently, I own a 16-35/4LIS, 50L, 85LIS, 100LIS and 70-200/2.8LIS.

As of today.

16-35 f/4 L IS
24-70 f/4 L IS
70-200 f/2.8 L IS Mark II or 70-200 f/4 L IS Mark II, Pick one............ ahhhhhhhh!
100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS Mark II
24mm TS-E II Tilt/Shift

Tamron 17-28
Tamron 35mm
Sony 85mm f/1.8
Tamron 70-180

**and then maybe some day this will be realistic
Sony 100-400

I am pretty happy with the low buget set I have now. EF-S 17-55mm f2.8( a little less internal dust would be nice), EF-S 55-250mm STM, and Sigma 150-600mm contemporary. I would like to add an ultra wide probably 10-18mm stm and a dedicated macro lens maybe a Zeiss 100mm. Another body probably a 7d2 is next for me.

Doctor Mabuse wrote in post #17772932
Have settled into:
Canon EF-S 10-22mm
Canon EF 24-105mm L
Canon EF 100-400mm MkII L

Looks like I last posted in this thread five years ago with the above trio.

Various lenses have come and gone from my bag since 2015, but once again I find myself down to a three-lens combo that does almost everything I need it to:

• Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM - replaced the 10-22mm I sold for the odd occasion where I still need a UWA on the 7D Mk2
  
• Canon EF 35mm f/2.0 IS USM - this is my 'crop-equivalent' +/-50mm prime; I can't praise this lens enough, it's replaced about 4 others from 24-60mm
  
• Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS L II USM - main lens as I do 90% wildlife, 'nuff said!

Canon EF 11-24mm F4 L
Canon EF 16-35mm F4 L is (only because the 11-24 won’t take filters “easy” / cheap)
Canon EF 35mm F1.4 II
Canon EF 50mm F1.2
Canon EF 85mm F1.4 IS

For me this is my current landscape, urbex, car photography, architecture go to set.

Now added the 400 f2.8, so I now have the max five lenses, but may swap out the 70-200 for a 200 f2.

Canon 16-35mm f/4
Canon 70-200mm f/4 IS
Canon 100mm f/2.8 IS (both portrait and macro)

Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L
Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L

Oh wait... you said realistic? Change all those to EF and add a bunch of dings and dents from buying on the used market.

RF 24-70
RF 70-200
RF 50/1.2
EF 100-400
EF 85L II

Waiting for an RF 24L or 35L.

Realistic...
EF 17-40
RF 24-105/4
100 macro
RF 70-200/2.8
RF 100-500

Though 4 and 5 are on the edge and going to take a while.