NikonGear'23

Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: atpaula on November 17, 2016, 00:26:11

Title: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: atpaula on November 17, 2016, 00:26:11
If I had to get rid of my collection and stay only with 2 lenses, they would be the 70-200mm f/4G and the 16-35mm f/4G.
I always take them on my trips.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Ilkka Nissilä on November 17, 2016, 00:29:14
VR 24-70/2.8E and VR 200/2G II
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Bern on November 17, 2016, 00:38:20
It would be the 20mm 1.8G & 105 f2DC for me.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: bjornthun on November 17, 2016, 01:54:43
Sony Zeiss 16-35/4 FE
Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 FE
If allowed a third lens, I'd also keep the Sony Zeiss 135/1.8.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Akira on November 17, 2016, 02:00:26
A 20mm and a 50mm (in full-frame terms) in any brand.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Andrea B. on November 17, 2016, 06:56:54
The awesome 70-200/4G VR and a 24-70/2.8 (not sure which version). But also I could not live without a 60/2.8 Micro-Nikkor.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: John G on November 17, 2016, 07:17:50
The Lens that caused the addiction are 50mm f1.8D and the 300mm f2.8 ais.
I always go back for more of their performance.
Would love to hear some of the reasons that make the 70-200mm f4 a popular choice.
A PM would be good, to not detract from this topic.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Erik Lund on November 17, 2016, 09:38:38
Nikkor 24-70mm AFS 2.8 VR E and 300mm AFS 4 VR PF
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: John Geerts on November 17, 2016, 10:20:22
Angenieux 35-70/2.5  and Nikkor 200/2 AI
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Frank Fremerey on November 17, 2016, 10:35:05
Given the fact that I own a DX and a FX body the lenses that make most sense to me professionally are the 1.4/24G and the 1.8/85G.




But I would terribly miss the 4/300PF and the 1.4/35 Ai-S.

These are the four lenses that I really use all the time.

My most used lenses earlier were the 50 and the 60 Micro. Both have only seen a camera every other month since I bought the 300PF and the D500. Strange how things go. Unpredictable at times.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: ArendV on November 17, 2016, 11:36:50
At least easier than the one lens challenge we had earlier.
My 2 lenses were already brought up by others before:  300/4E VR and 20/1.8G.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Jakov Minić on November 17, 2016, 11:56:28
Similar to Bern - 20/1.8G and 135/2.0 DC.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: frankv on November 17, 2016, 12:17:12
For me, shooting DX, that would be my 28/1.8 and a 85/1.8.

-frank-
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on November 17, 2016, 13:19:05
I don't accept the conditions set forth for the question at all. Why would one give oneself such a severe handicap in the first place? This is fundamentally different from the challenge to use only one or two lenses for a period of time, a challenge with which I'm very familiar and oblige to ever so often.

What I could do instead is to list lenses that are so precious and necessary for my way of working that I have, or  would need to have, them in duplicate (in no particular order);
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Andy on November 17, 2016, 13:28:19
Imho, the restriction is too "loose". Why 2 and not 1?

If I have to ent-emotionalize photography to such a degree, I'd go for a single lens solution.
if FX: AFS 24-120mm/4 VR
if DX: AFS 16-80mm/2.8-4 VR

:)
Andy

PS: In such a case, expect a few lens offers in the "sell" section at NG ....

Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: atpaula on November 17, 2016, 13:37:20
Just to hear everybody say what are their most used/important lenses.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: PedroS on November 17, 2016, 14:38:22
If I had to get rid of my collection and stay only with 2 lenses, they would be the 70-200mm f/4G and the 16-35mm f/4G.
I always take them on my trips.

I would be in a big trouble... just to explain because I have so many...

I'll have to live with the 24-70 f2.8G (have to quickly trade then to the VR one, eheh) and the 400mm f2.8 FL
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: elsa hoffmann on November 17, 2016, 14:44:56
Two totally impractical ones - I know

85 f1.4
200-500 f5.6

And walk for the A team to zoom with my feet.

But in 6 months time = who knows
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Airy on November 17, 2016, 15:27:50
Quite a challenge. To think along the lines of the Nikon 1001 tales website, I am not, unfortunately a 35 and 85 guy, otherwise the obvious response would have been:
  Zeiss 35/2 and Nikkor 85/1.4 G

Reality is, I am a 50 and 105 guy. Therefore, not being able to select a WA in addition becomes difficult. Response could then be:
  Voigtländer 40/2 + close-up lens, and Nikkor 105/2.5 or, possibly, 180/2.8 AIS

This applies to my current and foreseeable subjects, that are mostly static.

If event shooting had a future in my case, I'd probably switch +/- to Erik's choice, i.e. 24-70/2.8 (my current, non-VR version) and 300/4 PF. But no small fast high IQ prime would be a big loss. In that case I'd smuggle the Summicron R 50/2 (Leitax mount) into my pocket, as the zoom would do the close-ups.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Asle F on November 17, 2016, 15:53:46
I am glad I am not in the situation that I need to choose only 2 lenses, and I see no reason why I should do it. Back when I actually had only 2 lenses, it was 135mm/2.8 and 50mm/1.8. Today I am way too addicted to both shorter and longer than that, in addition to a 105mm lens, so with just 2 lenses, 70-200/2.8 has to be one of them, even if it is a lens I do not like very much and do not use much. I think AIS 28mm/2.8 has to be the other one, that is a lens I will never let go.

Just to hear everybody say what are their most used/important lenses.

Then the question was wrong, because you got me to choose a lens that is not one of my most used. Actually I use 70-200mm about 2-3 times a year. My two most used/important lenses are 55mm/2.8 and 105mm/2.8, both AIS micro-Nikkor.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Akira on November 17, 2016, 16:06:16
Actually it was very difficult for me to choose as much as TWO lenses, as I normally only go with one.  :D
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Peter on November 17, 2016, 17:07:37
24mm f2.8 and 105mm f2.5.

I think the other two would be 35mm f2 and 200mm f4.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Ron Scubadiver on November 17, 2016, 17:31:11
24-120 VR and a 50 f/1.4G.  I use these two the most now.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: MFloyd on November 17, 2016, 17:40:11
Nikkor 16-35mm f/4 & Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: jhinkey on November 17, 2016, 20:25:52
Oh, that's tough. 

I'm actually paring down my Nikkor/non-Nikkor collection at the moment so the question is very relevant, though I won't be going down to 2 lenses.

I'd have to say my 16/3.5 AI since there is no other equivalent and my 85/4 ZM.

If just Nikkors I could keep, then 16/3.5 AI and 45/2.8 AI-P as that can do a lot for general usage.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: David H. Hartman on November 17, 2016, 20:29:09
Were I to join the NikonGear.net life of optical poverty I'd choose the AF-S 20/1.8G ED and AF-S 105/2.8G ED VR Micro.

Dave Hartman

I would cheat frequently and lie about it.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: chris dees on November 17, 2016, 20:41:06
I'm always afraid I have the wrong lens with, so I carry always a lot.
My preferred lens would be a 14-800/2.8VR weighing about a pound and less than €1K. :D

To cover as much as possible it would be the 24-120/4.0 and Sigma 150-600/5.0-6.3 Sports.

The 24/1.4G, 58G, 105E and 300PF are my favorites and that would be still two too much. Tough choice to leave two behind.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Roland Vink on November 17, 2016, 20:48:40
My standard kit usually consists of three lenses, but which three changes from day to day, depending on what I'm doing, where I'm going and which lenses I feel like using. However the basic set up is: wide, standard, telephoto; one of which is a macro or capable of closeups. Therefore my kit is usually one of:
- Wide - AIS 16/2.8 fish, AI 20/3.5, K 24/2.8, AIS 28/2, AIS 28/2.8, AI 28/3.5, K 28/3.5, K 35/2.8, AI 35/2.8, AIS 35/1.4
- Standard - AI 50/1.8, AIS 50/1.8 (Japanese pancake), AIS 55/2.8 micro or AI 55/3.5 micro, AI 55/1.2, AIS 50/1.4
- Tele - AIS 85/2, K 85/1.8, AI 105/2.5, AI 135/3.5, AIS 135/2.8, E 75-150, AIS 105/4, AIS 105/2.8 micro, AIS 200/4
(the K lenses are AI'd)
Yeah, I have a lot to choose from :) ... if pressed, the ones I tend to use most often are the AI 50/1.8 and 75-150
If I'm only allowed two I might trade the 50/1.8 for one of the 35s to give a better spread of focal lengths. Not sure which 35, I don't tend to use 35 much since I usually have a 50 or 55 and skip 35 for 28 or wider.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: tommiejeep on November 18, 2016, 07:18:39
Impossible question to answer   ;)
For Nikon bodies
Most important;
300 2.8vr
70-200 2.8G vr  II
Favourites ;
58 1.4G
DC105 f2D
Others for other systems
All depends on what I am shooting, how important getting an image is and am I shooting for fun , publication or for someone else
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: David H. Hartman on November 18, 2016, 09:12:28
Imho, the restriction is too "loose". Why 2 and not 1?

Wait! Why one lens when one could use a glassless solution like a pin hole lens or at most a single element eyeglass lens with an f/128 black paper aperture?

Dave Hartman

I've forgotten the name but a respected photographer quiped that he was the only member of the east coast Group f/128. When he started he bought a camera but could not afford a lens hence the eye glass lens solution.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: JohnBrew on November 19, 2016, 15:26:03
If I had to get rid of my collection and stay only with 2 lenses, they would be the 70-200mm f/4G and the 16-35mm f/4G.
I always take them on my trips.

I'm with you on the 70-200 f4, but my second lens would be the Otus 55. OTOH, if I needed funds I would probably sell the Otus first!
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: BruceLeventhal on November 20, 2016, 13:23:10
Such a hard decision,... I am nature photographer w/ a 50-50 split between wildlife and landscapes.
Can I have two bodies two?... Well if this is permissible, then I'll put my 16-35mm f/4 on the D810 and my 300mm f/2.8 AFS-II (or vr if someone wants to upgrade this for me  :o ) on a D500. Two bodies will help me make the most of two pretty good lenses.

bruce
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Moritat on November 20, 2016, 14:48:05
My favorite focal lengths are 28mm and the 180-200mm range. I'd go with a Zeiss 28mm f2 and a Nikon 180mm 2.8.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: JAP on November 21, 2016, 21:10:23
it depends..
three objektive ;
-14-24/2.8 Nikkor or 21/2.8 Distagon
-35/1.4 or 55/3.5 micro
-70-200/2.8

then
105/2.8 micro
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Wally on November 23, 2016, 14:43:48
After recently getting a 105mm DC the first choice is clear. On the wide end it's either the AFD 28/1.4 or AFS 35/1.4
Fortunately I am able to pick any combo from my 8 to 1000mm collection ;)
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: richardHaw on November 23, 2016, 15:20:46
as much as i love my manual lenses, i would always pick the 70-200VR2 and 24-70  :o :o :o

who knows when i would be needing these 2 again if i were to shoot for a living
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Pistnbroke on November 24, 2016, 16:36:33
The two I use every day ,,,,,14mm f2.8 Samyang    28-300 Nikon
my wife will have the 18-140  and the 150-600 tam
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: ch96066 on December 02, 2019, 12:51:10
I think choosing 2 lenses is probably easier than a top 5  :D

* 28-300 3.5-5.6 AFS G VR
* Sigma 150 2.8 macro (non OS)

Having an all-in-1 solves my traveling needs and the macro covers both the main missing points of the 28-300 (faster glass/smaller DOF / great bokeh) as well as allows me to reach into the amazing macro realm where subject matter never ends.

Moving the question (a bit) to only 2 bodies I would opt for:

* D750
* Nikon 1 V2
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Frank Fremerey on December 02, 2019, 14:41:15
not much change here:

1.8/85G and 1.8/20G

I sold the 1.4/24G, I did not use it after purchasing the 20G
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: ianwatson on December 02, 2019, 14:48:55
The 1.8/35G is my default choice. It is a very versatile focal length. To go with it, the 1.8/85G.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Frank Fremerey on December 02, 2019, 22:39:54
The 1.8/35G is my default choice. It is a very versatile focal length. To go with it, the 1.8/85G.

the 1.8/35G ED is very nice. I have it for a while and it grows on me...
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: OCD on December 03, 2019, 01:20:35
FX:  D750 + 58 1.4G + 28 1.8G
DX: D7500 + 16-80 DX + 70-300mm AF-P (FX version)








Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Toby on December 03, 2019, 23:06:20
Imho, the restriction is too "loose". Why 2 and not 1?

If I have to ent-emotionalize photography to such a degree, I'd go for a single lens solution.
if FX: AFS 24-120mm/4 VR
if DX: AFS 16-80mm/2.8-4 VR

:)
Andy

PS: In such a case, expect a few lens offers in the "sell" section at NG ....

Still too loose--which lens would you choose if you could not use any lenses?
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Roland Vink on December 03, 2019, 23:29:47
Still too loose--which lens would you choose if you could not use any lenses?
A pinhole? That is the only "lens" which is not a lens ... :o :o
Or do you mean "not use an zooms?"
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Gil Aegerter on December 04, 2019, 04:39:52
It may be heresy, but I'm going to two venerable and versatile lenses:

Nikkor 20mm f3.5 AIS
Nikkor 35-200mm f3.5 AIS

Both manual focus, solidly built. The 20mm is fun for macro with a ultra-thin extension ring, and the 35-200mm is compact for its reach, so this is a great setup for hiking. I know the 35-200mm gets dissed for not being the sharpest tool in the shed, but I've had good results. Flickr links:

35-200mm: https://www.flickr.com/gp/gaeger2/c1U2x0

20mm: https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=95903184%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&text=20mm%20f%2F3.5&view_all=1

Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: OCD on December 04, 2019, 05:07:29
It may be heresy, but I'm going to two venerable and versatile lenses:

Nikkor 20mm f3.5 AIS
Nikkor 35-200mm f3.5 AIS

Both manual focus, solidly built. The 20mm is fun for macro with a ultra-thin extension ring, and the 35-200mm is compact for its reach, so this is a great setup for hiking. I know the 35-200mm gets dissed for not being the sharpest tool in the shed, but I've had good results. Flickr links:

35-200mm: https://www.flickr.com/gp/gaeger2/c1U2x0


20mm: https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=95903184%40N00&sort=date-taken-desc&text=20mm%20f%2F3.5&view_all=1


The 20mm f3.5 AIS, and the K-1 ring....fun stuff.   Those kinds of unique lenses and set ups are surely not heresy!
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: tommiejeep on December 04, 2019, 08:46:38
I can give you 2 lenses for each camera body (that would be hard, 3 makes it easier)  but not just two lenses period  >:( .  I shoot too many things on 8 bodies ( 4 Full Frame, 2 Dx and  2 m43) .   Most of the time I shoot more than one camera and normally take at least 2 lenses out for each.   Every time I leave the house I grab a camera/lens but which is dependent on where I m going and what I think I might see. 
Tom
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Erik Lund on December 04, 2019, 11:49:49
Indeed  choosing just two lenses, or even just one is not easy,, unless one let's go of thoughts about constraints  :o   

I would definitely choose my D850 as camera,,,
First lens is Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 AFS E VR - Very universal do all at very high level lens in all aspects.
As cropping to a large extent is possible - there would not be so much need for longer focal lengths,,,
 I would possibly ad Nikkor 16mm AF-D f/2.8 as it's just universally super fun UWA to use for capturing as much of a scene as possible and very capable on the D850 as well  8)
Many many other combinations possible I must confess I could go on for days  ;D ::)
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Toby on December 04, 2019, 12:28:16
My problem is that I shoot both general photos and vintage bokeh stuff. For general I would take my Nikkor 14-24 f2.8 and any decent 70-200 f2.8. For bokeh it would have to be my 8 inch f2.0 Dallmeyer Super Six for one, and probably then the Canon 50mm f0.95 for the second.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: OCD on December 04, 2019, 17:31:54
Two lenses - Two bodies (is that cheating?)

D750 + 58 1.4G
D7500 + 16-80

(but I'd miss the 70-300)

Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: golunvolo on December 04, 2019, 18:33:27
If pressed to get only two I will be practical and get the 24-70 2.8 vr and 70-200 2.8 fl. I can get most my needs for paid work with that...but I´ll be missing a lot and very sad.
If not zooms are allowed, probably two of the following: 28 1.4, 58 1.4, 105 1.4. Will need some serious thought.

  I´m not liking this game  ;D ;D ;D

  Thanks for the challenge Aguinaldo!
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Birna Rørslett on December 04, 2019, 20:08:07
For many many years I shot only with 24/2.8 and 105/2.5 Nikkors. I might reopen that habit, but like Paco, I would not be too happy doing so unless that particular combination happened to be the one I would have selected for the assignment anyway.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Airy on December 05, 2019, 07:48:55
If not zooms are allowed, probably two of the following: 28 1.4, 58 1.4, 105 1.4. Will need some serious thought.
Funny, I settled on the old-timer variant: 28/2 AI, 58/1.2 AIS, 105/2 AI...
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: simsurace on December 05, 2019, 10:46:28
This is tough because I undergo phases where different lenses take a front seat. If pressed hard, I would probably choose 55/2.8 micro and 105/2.5 and forego the wide end.
Title: Re: What are the 2 lenses you would choose to use from now on?
Post by: Gil Aegerter on December 05, 2019, 13:56:56
This is tough because I undergo phases where different lenses take a front seat. If pressed hard, I would probably choose 55/2.8 micro and 105/2.5 and forego the wide end.

Good choices!