Anyone with one lens by choice?

So, I've tried just about every lens out there, and end up selling all of them...expect for my 35L. Right now, I have the 24L and 35L, and I'm trying to sell the 24L (let me know if you are interested), and I was planning on picking up the 50 1.4 (again) and the 85 1.8 (again), so I'd have some "variety."

But, now I'm thinking that I really don't NEED anything other than my 35L, and that I may just pocket the money... Every time I use a lens other than my 35L I feel awkward, and usually don't like the look of the pictures. My mind just seems to think in 35mm (feel free to check out my flickr to get a feel for my work)

So, am I just a "one trick wonder" for only be able to shoot with a 35? Anyone else have/thinking of having just ONE lens?

Or am I just insane...?

You're insane (you asked). Yes, definitely insane.

You'll change your mind again. Keep all the glass you buy. Never let it go.

depends on what I'm shooting, but for personal work I felt that way about my 24L on FF for a long time (2 years+). I'd put just that lens on and go anywhere and make it work. If it works for you it works for you, don't let the collectors tell you otherwise.

If you did add one lens to that though, I'd go with just the 85 at first. Seems like the 35/85 combo works very well and 50 is kinda too similar to both?

Also, which 24 do you have? I just sold my 24L today and I'm 24LII shopping (used)...

You must have a very narrow selection of things you like to shoot if all you want to use is a 35mm on a FF camera...

You might want to look at broadening your photographic horizons. If you shoot one specific type of subject matter all the time, it's very easy to get stuck in a creative rut.

Nothing wrong with having only one lens if it does all you need and want.

cdifoto wrote in post #10745357
Nothing wrong with having only one lens if it does all you need and want.

Very true . But it sounds like a job for the Bigma II !

cdifoto wrote in post #10745357
Nothing wrong with having only one lens if it does all you need and want.

I agree... I think there's a bit of a stigma around here that when you're into photography, you HAVE to like shooting sports, landscapes, portraits, motocross, birds in flight, llamas in pink bikinis in Lebanon, and the whole nine yards. Some people (myself included) focus (photo pun) on the area in which their passion lay. If someone asked me to shoot a motorcycle race, I'd probably hurl.

I don't get a sense that we have to like everything, but I do get a feeling that if we're aren't prepared equipment-wise to shoot anything and everything, we're viewed as not being real photographers.

cdifoto wrote in post #10745539
I don't get a sense that we have to like everything, but I do get a feeling that if we're aren't prepared equipment-wise to shoot anything and everything, we're viewed as not being real photographers.

My longest lens is 135mm and it's usually too long.

Yeah, maybe 'like' was the wrong word to use.

I have seen you work in the 35L archives (obviously) and the shots look great. You have a specific style and the 35L seems to fit this style. If you are happy with that, why not?

Have you tried the 85L?

I've got more than one lens, but, aside from some test shots with the rest of my bag to microadjust, my 7D has had the 24L II exclusively. That's pretty close to the FOV with your 35L on a 5D.

cdifoto wrote in post #10745539
I don't get a sense that we have to like everything, but I do get a feeling that if we're aren't prepared equipment-wise to shoot anything and everything, we're viewed as not being real photographers.

yeah, interesting point. like I said, for personal work it'd be fun to use just ONE lens and force it when it wasn't ideal. But because I try to make money at this, I need a few other lenses just for those subjects...

B&H blogged about pro -vs- am today (a video from ZA). One of the points that came up which I agree with is a photographer isn't necessarily and artist. But for some people who work really well at one FL, I could easily see how they're an artist but NOT a professional? IE being a professional usually suggests you need to cover more bases in terms of ways to make money if that makes sense?

jacobsen1 wrote in post #10745350
depends on what I'm shooting, but for personal work I felt that way about my 24L on FF for a long time (2 years+). I'd put just that lens on and go anywhere and make it work. If it works for you it works for you, don't let the collectors tell you otherwise.

If you did add one lens to that though, I'd go with just the 85 at first. Seems like the 35/85 combo works very well and 50 is kinda too similar to both?

Also, which 24 do you have? I just sold my 24L today and I'm 24LII shopping (used)...

I have the mark1. If I decided to pick up other lenses, I'll definitely get the 85. I've had the 50 1.4 before, and honestly wan't that big of a fan of the FL, but I figure if I have a bunch of money sitting around from selling the 24L that i might as well give it another try...

JWright wrote in post #10745356
You must have a very narrow selection of things you like to shoot if all you want to use is a 35mm on a FF camera...

You might want to look at broadening your photographic horizons. If you shoot one specific type of subject matter all the time, it's very easy to get stuck in a creative rut.

I wouldn't say I have a very narrow selection, I dabble with a little bit of everything but my passion is with portraits, so thats what I focus on. Like madhatter said, you don't have to do everything...I don't get any joy out of shooting flowers...

And even when I do other things I always seem to use the 35L no matter what other lenses I have in my bag. I've been trying to break that "habit" for awhile now, but I think its time I just start to embrace it

sebr wrote in post #10745564
I have seen you work in the 35L archives (obviously) and the shots look great. You have a specific style and the 35L seems to fit this style. If you are happy with that, why not?

Have you tried the 85L?

The 85L is the one/only lens that I have not tried, but REALLY want to try. Unfortunately, I don't see myself being able to afford the extra $700+ it would cost me to get one

jacobsen1 wrote in post #10745678
yeah, interesting point. like I said, for personal work it'd be fun to use just ONE lens and force it when it wasn't ideal. But because I try to make money at this, I need a few other lenses just for those subjects...

B&H blogged about pro -vs- am today (a video from ZA). One of the points that came up which I agree with is a photographer isn't necessarily and artist. But for some people who work really well at one FL, I could easily see how they're an artist but NOT a professional? IE being a professional usually suggests you need to cover more bases in terms of ways to make money if that makes sense?

You do have a very good point about a professional having to be able to cover many different aspects of photography in order to make a living, but I didn't get into photography just to get a pay check (thats what my chefing career is for). I got into it to be an artist, and if I make money while doing it (which I am), all the better.

So, while I agree that being a professional doesn't make you an artist, and being an artist doesn't make you a professional, I don't see why you can't be both under the right circumstances?

mxracer535 wrote in post #10745749
So, while I agree that being a professional doesn't make you an artist, and being an artist doesn't make you a professional, I don't see why you can't be both under the right circumstances?

totally agreed, and I'm glad you got what I was saying.

Personally, I know I'm far from an artist, but my best shot at it is with a single FL prime on one body like you're saying. 24 on FF or crop is pretty much it for me. But what I make money at with photography NEEDS different lenses (landscape and arch need a UWA zoom and sports need length). I will say I also enjoy shooting those things though, so maybe I'm a bad example? But if I were just shooting for myself then I could easily be in the one lens boat. I MUCH prefer shooting like that honestly, so much less to think about.

Hell, even when I'm working, I usually fall into this as well. If I'm shooting arch I'll use the 10-22 the entire time. I'll bring other lenses but only in case the clients force me to do something I wouldn't. Same for sports, 100-400 the whole time unless something weird pops up.