Too many lenses?

I worked hard on building my kit to where it is now. Mid last year I swapped to the 6D from the 7D and there for a long time I only had the 24-70/70-200 and the 35. This worked for me for a good while then Christmas hit and I realized I needed longer primes for low light.

I got into a frenzy and bought the 14mm, 85, 135 and rebought my pancake that I had sold before.

Now I have 8 lenses and I question if it's too many. Like some lenses will sit alot in my bag not getting used anymore. Pretty easy choice when I limited myself to the 3.

Does anyone else get this way?

My 135 is kinda redundant and only have it from a trade. I have no issues getting rid of it but it's light and fun. 85 is invaluable just as the 35 is. 14 and 8 are toy lenses for me meaning they serve no purpose other than me taking photos for the fun of it.

Yes. Eight is too many - IMO of course

If you don't mind having them, don't mind not using them much & don't need any cash funds from selling them then there's no issue

Myself, I could not live with just 8.

I would not die when I loose several hunderts lenses, but it would be hard to choose which one need to go.
But I am sure, many, many photographers could make much better images with 8 or less lenses than I with all my lenses

So many variables...

8
Too many for me yes.

But if I were a well seasoned photographer and had a lot of time to shoot it would be fun to mix up - especially if you had a second body.

I've been thinking lately that I would be best served with 3 lenses for now...
(17-40L, 35is, 100L) And really focus on skills and learning to make the most of that with limited time I have for shooting. Like you- I can see letting go of the 14 and 40. And maybe the 24-105L but it really is a very versatile tool.

Winter here is tough- a lot of time trapped indoors and I like to shoot outside- too much time looking at gear online - painful!

Otohp.

I may have too many as well. Sometimes I get lost which lens to use.

But having the flexibility makes me feel good. That's most important part.

My lens collection is finally to the point where my GAS problem is fading. The only glass I still lust for is a big, fast white. But that's a whole 'nother league. Someday.

Too many lenses? There are words there, but they dont make any sense.

How about too much money?

gonzogolf wrote in post #16716266
Too many lenses? There are words there, but they dont make any sense.

This!

You have them now keep them... and use them. It's better to have the right tool for the job than not.

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #16716326
This!

You have them now keep them... and use them. It's better to have the right tool for the job than not.

While I agree with this at some point a little evaluation is in order. I found myself with 3 50mm lens. a 50 1.8 II I got when I first started playing with primes, a 50 1.8 I i got from parting out an old film camera kit, and a 50 2.5 compact macro I picked up as a bargain. Its now that I should mention I find 50 the least interesting focal length of them all.

I think I hit my "limit" quantity wise... But not quality!

Currently I have (5)... 16-35 II, 24-70 II, 70-200 II, 35L and 300L II... Plus my 1.4x if you count that, then six.

I don't see myself getting any more on top of my current collection (or so I want to believe), but just upgrading... For example, the 16-35 I hope when/if a 14-24 or similar lens is released! I am just waiting for that UWA zoom option with 24-70 II type optics!


I actually prefer to have less lenses, which is why I tend to like zooms. I could probably do without my 35L if I did not need it for some ultra-low light stuff.

Well three of the same focal length is just plain silly. Wild man! LOL

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #16716363
Well three of the same focal length is just plain silly. Wild man! LOL

I culled the herd a bit.

I actually wish that I could shoot everything with just two lenses. The bad thing is I CAN shoot 98% of my needs with 2 lenses. I can shoot everything with just the 17-40L and 85L.

But the 35 and 70-200 are so good that I am really enjoying those lenses.