How do you decide what lens to take?

r.morales wrote in post #12341357
Unlike everyone else , I am now sticking with 77mm .
1st bag / main- 7D , 10-22 , 17-55 , 70-200 and the sigma 100-400 with filters , chargers , readers - etc
2n bag has the XTI , 28-135 AND THE 35-350 , with filters , chargers , readers - etc

nureality wrote in post #12341907
My gear selections are usually influenced by duration of trip, ability to use certain gear or not, and desired luggable weight to take with me.

90% of the time I run at least a 5-lens kit, with 1 of the UWA's (but to be fair the 11-16 gets the most attention), the 17-55, a 70-200 (either f/4L IS or f/2.8L IS II, depending on weight and light concerns), a fisheye, and a fast 50 (lately its been the Rokkor 58/1.2 most of the time).

If I suspect I might have a macro opportunity I'll toss my rings into the bag, and the 1.4x TC is always with me.

Lastly, I'll pack at least 1 flash, but usually 2.

My bag generally weighs about 25-30lbs. on a given day. Add the tripod and you're at 35lbs.

purely 100% out of interest..... where are you going/shooting with all that gear? & how long for?

Great answers all, it seems there really are as many combinations as people

For a walk in the park during the day I use my 24-105L for versatility.

If I know I'm going to be indoors or just want to have my camera with me -- just in case -- I use my Sigma 30.

When I know I need UWA I use my 10-22 along with one of the above.

suecassidy wrote in post #12339549
I HATE having to decide.

Me too!

My next purchase will likely be a new bag because I cannot fit everything in my current bag.

The two lenses I go without the most often are my 70-200 because of the size; and the 60mm because the 17-55 at 55 or the 70-200 at 70 are a pretty good substitutes for it, except for actual macro stuff (which is relatively rare for me).

When I go with just the camera and a lens attached (i.e., no bag), I typically take either the 17-55 or the 70-200 depending on the subject.

Good exercise to sets standards for each lens:

Outdoors: Sigma 10-20mm, Canon 100L Macro, Canon 55-250mm depending on environment
-Landscape: Sigma 10-20mm
-Hike/nature walk: Canon 100L Macro
-Wildlife: Canon 55-250mm
Indoors: Sigma 10-20mm, Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (on the way to replace 50mm f/1.8)
-Architecture: Sigma 10-20mm
-Party/people: Sigma 30mm f/1.4
Sports: Canon 55-250mm outdoor, Canon 100L indoor
Portrait: Sigma 30mm f/1.4/Canon 50mm f/1.8 indoor, Canon 100L outdoor
Automotive: Sigma 10-20mm, Canon 100L

Depends on what I'm going to shoot and the lighting conditions.

POST 31
Bag 1 is for more than a day , weddings , anniversaries , 15th birthday parties and when I go to Mexico . [last year Aug Sept [- 4 weeks , this year 3 weeks - short on money] I have monopod , tripod printer in Mexico house .
Bag 2 is mainly for beach , generally throw a tripod in car in case .
The normal camera set up is the 7D with the 17-55 , 2 - 2 filter pouches on strap , total of 4 filters - 2 UV's and 2 CPL's - one on camera , others in pouches - MT pouch is for lens cap

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,
Catch the tiger/monkey/baby by the toe.
If it hollers/screams let him go,
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, you are it!

(Sometimes this doesn't work so well though. YMMV.)

Because I rarely shoot wide, the 70-200 II always comes along. Then, I think about what could compliment it. Sometimes the Zeiss 100 or the Zeiss 21. Sometimes the 85L when I want the additional depth. Sometimes the 35L when I want to tell more of the story. It's great having choices.

If it was one lens, it would be the ZE 2/28 or 2/35 on a ff with a polariser.
I prefer the 28 but the 35 is a _lot_ easier to use.

For landscapes - usually using a tripod & live view - I sling my 21, 28, 55 and 100 on my back and a wallet of filters too.

If it's more likely to be a moving target or has to be hand held, I take a couple of autofocus / is lenses and both bodies. I'll also take a couple of extension tubes for the 70-200 so that I can grab a close up if something catches my eye.

If I'm shooting my 24-105 is always in my camera, and my 70-300 is in the bag. If it's my wife it's the 28-135 that's mounted!

Challenge yourself one day. Only take your favourite prime for a few hours and see how many good pics you come back with.

Tim Snow wrote in post #12338716
I start by pre-visioning the assignment and figuring out what kind of shots my client is most likely going to want. On 99% of my shoots I bring at least the PJ3(16-35 f/2.8, 24-70 f/2.8, 70-200 f/2.8II) and mount the 24-70 on the ff. The 70-200 goes onto the 1dIII.
If I know I will be doing a portrait, I'll bring along the 135. If I know I want something different, I'll bring the fisheye. On some shoots I fit my whole kit into my TT Skin set and go for it.
Weekend walkabouts and family occasions are usually just comprised of the 16-35 or the 24-70 on the ff.

Your lens collections are awsome

yogestee wrote in post #12349673
Challenge yourself one day. Only take your favourite prime for a few hours and see how many good pics you come back with.

I did it. I often challenge my self. I call it "One Lens Policy" it really fun
*but don't try this at paid work of course

Which lens to take, depends on situation, but I almost always bring my 580 ex II with me.

It depends
I have 100+ cheap manual lenses.

For normal way to work without thinking about photography I sometimes in summer take a EOS 350D / Rebel XT with excangable filter system for IR and normal, and for example Tokina 17mm/3.5 and a simple 50 mm lens like Helios 44-2 or Pentacon 50/1.8...
Or I take the EOS 5D and for example Meyer Trioplan 100/2.8 (very special bokeh wide open) and Olympus Zuiko 28/2.8.

For smaller photo walks (like to the playground with child) for example:
EOS 5D, Samyang 14/2.8, Minolta Rokkor 58/1.2, Vivitar 135/2.8 Close Foccusing, Zeiss 25/2.8

For a bit more I take the bigger bag with ~ 8 lenses inside.

I have so many lenses I still need to test, that I have no problems to vary the equipment very often.
The Samyang 14/2.8, Rokkor 58/1.2, Canon FD 85/1.2, a 135mm lens (Porst, Steinheil, Vivitar) are some of the basic lenses I have very often with me.

Today on my way to work with EOS 5D I have a Som Berthiot 16mm film cine projection lens in reversed mode for macro tests with me. And a russian Helison 44-2 58mm/2.0, and the Meyer Trioplan 100/2.8.

16-35 on one body (left shoulder) 70-200 on body on right shoulder.
Crop or step back as necessary if I need a focal length in the 35-70 gap.
If necessary for the job I will take the 24-70, 50 macro or one of the big guns (3,4,5 or 600m)