What types of lenses do you normally go out with?

I'm curious as to what types of lenses others take when you go out for general shooting. I'm not asking people that are shooting weddings or events, but rather those, like myself, that go out on nature hikes and to parks, beaches, etc. If you go out prepared to shoot anything and everything, what do you take with you?

The choices in the poll are :

- A set of zooms covering wide angle to long range telephoto lenses
- A set of primes covering wide angle to long range telephoto lenses
- A set of mixed primes and zooms
- One general purpose walkaround zoom
- One general purpose walkaround prime
- One wide angle lens
- One short range telephoto lens
- One medium range telephoto lens
- One long range telephoto lens
- Other (if other, please post and let us know what you do take with you)

I'll bite: For general shooting, I'll take the Sigma 30f1.4 and Canon 70-200f4IS. I also keep the Kenko Pro 1.4x (white version) in my sling bag. Once the Tokina 16-50f2.8 comes out, and assuming it's as good as I predict it to be, it'll be added to the "outing" bag.

I use what is in my signature.. sold off all my other lenses, becuase for what I like to do these three lenses are all I need. I think I could live with just the 35 and 135 to tell the truth

Well I don't have much but what I have it would be 24-85 f/3.5 and the 70-200l f/4

It would be more if I could find one that would go with me and give me great bokeh.

Most of the time I have 2 zooms and 2 primes with me.

for general outdoor shooting the lenses i mostly use are 24-70L and 70-200L f4 IS + 1.4 TC. i also keep the 50 1.4 and maybe the 100 f2 the bag.

if i know i'll need more length i'll pack the 300L f4 IS and maybe leave one or both primes behind.

ed rader

16-35mm 2.8, 28-75mm 2.8 70-200mm 2.8, 50mm 1.8

70-200 and 16-35 see most action.

I don't really do much "general shooting" to be honest. I always carry my gear with me (listed below), as well as a 17-35 and a 70-200 zoom from work. I like to have everything with me so I may be well equipped to shoot portraits or school & community events.

I've never really enjoyed telephoto. I get a good thrill from getting as physically close to my subject as possible. To that end, my walkaround kit consists of a 16-35L and a 50 1.4.

My standard 'walk about setups'

Traveling very light, no gear bag;
Canon 1DMkII, 28-135mm

Mid weight, and most common one lens kit, no gear bag;
Canon 1DMkII, 24-70mm f2.8L

Standard kit with shoulder bag;
Canon 1Ds, 24-70mm f2.8L, 85mm f1.2L, 70-200mm f2.8L IS

I've had an arc when it comes to gear-- initially I felt I needed all my lenses in order to not "miss any opportunities".. carrying all that gear made shooting cumbersome. But now, I've been developing my eye to a point where less gear is needed..

Most of my shooting has turned to using the 30 1.4 and sometimes the 70-200 F4L... there's a fast prime on the one hand, and a superb zoom lens on the other. What else can a man want?

Sigma 18-50 and 30 prime are my usual walk around gear. If I think i'll need something longer i'll toss something longer in the bag, but mostly those 2 do it.

I have to vote "other" because I don't have a fixed set I "normally" take with me. I pick lenses depending on what I intend to photograph that day and as that can be anything from birds to sports to macro etc the camera bag changes all the time. I seldom do any general "walkaround" photography (i.e. take the camera with me without a subject in mind).

EDIT: Sometimes when I feel I lack inspiration I like to challenge myself and only take one "impossible" lens, like a fisheye or a long tele prime, or a lens I haven't used in a long time, and see what I can come up with. Forces me to look at things differently and this can be fun when I don't have a specific plan.

Wow, very nice. Lots of diversity and individual preference. I was curious about this because as my kit grows and I see where my needs are based on what I shoot, I don't want to carry lenses that I don't need.
Personally, I really enjoy having a good walkaround zoom lens and either 1 or 2 other zooms but I'ver pretty much decided that I just don't need primes when I'm out. I have the Sigma 17-70mm, which is sharp and covers a very useful range. I just got the 70-200mm f/4 L and that takes care of the long range telephoto. To complete the portable kit I'll probably get the Sigma 10-20mm and then those 3 lenses, the 30D, 580EX and some doo-dads and gizmos and that fills my LowePro backpack but still keeps it light and comfortable.

17-55mm 2.8 IS, 70-200mm 2.8L