A 4 lens kit?

Let's say that the laws of the universe arbitrarily decided you could only have 4 lenses. I want to say 3 really but that may be too hard. What lenses would you choose? You don't have to be specific with model, although it's nice if you can.

For shooting with my 7D here are my choices:

1. 70-200 2.8. Enough reach for me and okay as portrait in a pinch.

Right now I have the Sigma EX, in the long term I will probably opt for the 2.8L with IS.

2. A 100mm-ish macro. Macro! and good for portrait too.

Right now I have the Sigma 105 EX but like the 70-200 I'd like to shift to the 100L.

3. The nifty fifty. Cheap. Fun. Disposable. I would of course L that if it were worthwhile for me.

4. A good general use - thinking the 24-70 2.8L or the 17-40 4.0L

uhhh... 4. Something wide, not sure which yet.

Only 4 is difficult but kinda practical to think about in terms of light enough to carry all day and still be versatile. I guess with the 24-70 I could nix the 50, but it's so light and easy.... maybe that counts as a ½ lens because of the size and weight?

Would be interesting to look at this as Prime/Zoom only and mixed too.

I carry at least 4 lenses with me, most of the time, and the current set is:
TS-E 17L
24L II
50L
135L
plus an Extender 1.4X, a set of extension tubes, a Tamron tcon, and odds and ends (extra battery, CP, spirit level, remote switch, Expodisc, extra CF cards ).

This'll all fit in my Crumpler "work bag" which also holds my laptop, power supply, mouse, writing materials, documents, etc. My sandwiches if I have any with me will also still fit in there .

I often carry a 5th lens (100-400L and 500D close-up lens) in a separate bag, however, and sometimes, ok, often, more .

Kind regards, Wim

For me it would be the 24-70L, 70-200 2.8, 17-40L, and 35L. That's just me though

If I could add two lenses to my current lenses now it would be the 24L II and the 200L. I would have the range for pretty much everything I'd ever plan to shoot. Throw in a 1.4 TC and I'd be set for my needs. Mine would be a 5 lens kit.

bsaber wrote in post #9191231
For me it would be the 24-70L, 70-200 2.8, 17-40L, and 35L. That's just me though

3 0f your 4 are on my list too, but that 35 would probably get swapped for either my 100-400 or the 100 macro.
17-40
24-70
70-200 f 2.8
100-400

wimg wrote in post #9191220
This'll all fit in my Crumpler "work bag" which also holds my laptop, power supply, mouse, writing materials, documents, etc. My sandwiches if I have any with me will also still fit in there .

Already jacking my own thread, which Crumpler? I'm thinking of going with the 8MDH.

Perhaps we should list if we're shooting FF or crop? That will influence choices for some.

ions wrote in post #9191400
Already jacking my own thread, which Crumpler? I'm thinking of going with the 8MDH.

Perhaps we should list if we're shooting FF or crop? That will influence choices for some.

I shoot FF mostly.

I carry this with me everyday at work.

10-22mm
24-105mm
70-200mm 2.8 IS
50mm 1.4
85mm 1.8

Four lens complete kit (IMHO):

16-35/2.8
24-70/2.8
70-200/2.8 IS
120-300/2.8

(Notice the pattern? )

Most of the time I only carry the 24-70 and 70-200, the other two are special needs only.

Well... I only own four soo

18-55/3.5-5.6 IS (walk around)
55-250/4-5.6 IS (zoom)
50/1.8 II (portrait + extension tubes for macro)
10-20/4-5.6 (UWA)

1. 24-105
2. 70-200 4L IS
3. 50 1.2L
4. 10-22

for crop:

UWA
30/50mm prime
85/135 prime
70/200 or 100-400 depending on your subject...

I carry four lens almost always... 16-35, 35L, 85L, 135L and a 1.4 TC and a set of tubes.

With that combo, I can pretty much do anything I ever need to.

I think wim's on the right track. I however really like to pack as light as possible unless going on a shoot. I usually throw two of the three in my bag: 24ii, 50L, 85L. ( 5mdh)

if I had to pick just four, hmm.
24ii, 50L, 70-200 2.8 IS. The fourth one is where it gets hard. If money were no object then the 200L F2 or 17 TSE. Otherwise, probably the 85L.

Forgot to mention, this is on FF.

My ideal 4 lens setup would be the 16-35 2.8L II, 50 1.4, 70-200 2.8L IS and 300 2.8L IS. It's good to dream big, but I've only got the 17-40L instead of the 16-35, and the 300 2.8 is far too expensive for what I'd use it for (personal fun: shooting sports and wildlife). The setup would work with FF, 1.3 and 1.6 crop bodies.