Too many lenses?

Depends on what you shoot I suppose. I have a 14 and 24 TSE for all my landscape stuff, then the 35/85 combo for everything else which suits me fine. If I had the cash would I have more lenses? - probably. Would I need them - probably not

I'm in the same boat, I feel I probably have too many. I think I have 8 too and a few rarely get used but at one time or another they all do get used so its hard to part with any of them.

three lenses nice
over that number , money in the bag not lenses

I think 6 is a good number- for a 'complete' lineup
I think if I had the time/$ right now- and was solely dedicated to DSLR/Canon- I'd go w the following lenses:

17-40L, 24L, 24-105L, 35is, 100L, 70-200L f4 is

^this is also another reason why I would consider cutting some of what I have out for now- and adding more desired lenses as time, skills and money are justified.

I would also like to have a second 'mirrorless' system in the future for lighter sessions- something else to think about...

but we are all in differing situations of course

good stuff!
Otohp.

I would sell the 135L

Though I could live with less, i haven't figured out what is too many.

They don't all get carried all the time, but they all get used at different times for different reasons.

So far they all have their purpose.

I have 9 but they all have their uses. Three fast primes, 50mm 1.8 when I want to be carrying light, ultra wide zoom, standard zoom when I only take one lens, tele zoom, telephoto and macro. Perfect for me!

I analyze this issue for myself all the time, wondering if I need to sell anything. But then I think about it, and I shoot 4 different things which all require different lenses.

-My 3 year old daughter & her indoor/outdoor activities.
-Zoos
-Racetracks
-Vacations

Unfortunately, my needs are diverse enough that I end up with more lenses then I really want, simply because of all the different stuff I currently take pictures of. For example, I used to think that almost anything over 70mm could be solved with a 70-200 2.8 MKII and a couple of TC's, however due to size/weight and my wife's shooting requests (smaller & lighter) I also have a 135L and 70-300L, both of which also get plenty of use.

The 35-350L is another example of mine- sure, I could carry a 24-105L and 70-300L instead, but the 35-350L was already taken on a family outing this year which would have been a pain in the butt had I needed to haul 2 lenses as opposed to just dumping the 6d/35-350L under the stroller with everything else.

For me, my lens count of 8-10 isn't based on GAS, but rather convenience, as having the perfect lens for a situation makes me more likely to actually bring my camera and take pictures as opposed to leaving it home due to it being "too much hassle".

I compare this to my father-in-laws tool box on wheels. All kinds of random tools for fixing things, many of which he hasn't used in God knows how long, but he knows that when the situation arises, he's equipped to handle the problem. If your photo taking interests are equally diverse, it makes sense to have a few extra unique lenses.

I must say Talley that I've settled in to my four lenses. I feel comfortable that I've got all bases covered. Now the upcoming 6DII has peeked my interest!

I think I have too many sometimes, also. My 400 5.6 doesn't get used often, but when it does get used there is nothing else I could use to replace it.

I also don't use my 50mm 1.4 much, but that is because its a crappy lens compared to the rest of mine and every time I use it I think "god the images from this are soft and flat." If I had a better 50mm I would probably use it a lot!

I feel like I'm in the same boat, but not as bad. 14, 24-70, 50, and 135 get used a ton. 70-300, 28IS, 40mm stm rarely. Good thing those three lenses hardly dent the budget. Will be messing around with the 17 TSE soon, and that will be bad news......

Good point Charlie, Price should come into play. I could probably sell most of my kit for a 200-400L. This thread got me curious so I checked my lightroom to see what lenses don't get much use and my 2 least used are 40 pancake and 100 macro but all of my lenses get use on a pretty regular bases with 24LII/50L/135L, and now 400L being my most used. I think I would be perfectly happy with just these 4 but a macro is always fun as is ultra wide and since neither is crazy expensive I don't really mind keeping them all.

8 lenses would be over the top for me,even if i had a fat wallet i don't think i would invest in that amount of glass!besides for the street and landscape photography i do 5 lenses seem to work well,even with that there are times when some of my gear sits in the camera bag to much of the time,but its nice to have your pick like the getty guys..

Bonbridge wrote in post #16716382
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.

Same position what i was. But then i cam across the thread where a guy purchased and selled the 135L 3 times and regretted it even after 3 times.

I realized that those lenses, even when used not extensive, can mean a great shot when not owning. While i realize that sometimes is too much, some lenses are worth keeping. 2% of the times i'd use another lens as my beloved 50L which i use about 80% of the time is worth keeping. When i see i make about 2000 images in a trip and maybe 50 are the ones i really think are award-winning (not just keepers) that means one of them would have been missed without a particular lens. And i cant regrett a picture i didnt shot...

IMO.. you only need 6..
16-35
24-70
70-200
35mm
50mm
85mm