If I only had one lens…
by Mark ~ November 15th, 2007. Filed under: nature photography... my back would be in much better shape. There is no way I could choose a favorite. I know there are many suggestions in how limiting yourself to using one lens, perhaps if only for a day, can expand your creativity, help you really learn that focal length. 
While I do think that is a worthwhile exercise to try, I could never do it for very long. I also see suggestions from time to time to ‘bring only the lenses you plan to use’ in the field. Again, great advice for your back, but personally I feel a bit incapacitated. It will also guarantee that I will encounter a great subject that is perfect for the lens I decided to leave at home.
Perhaps I am a bit too scatter-brained in my attraction to various subjects and details. I don’t bring a boatload of gear, but often just bring my backpack which is pretty stuffed. I can have a 12-24 wide angle lens on, and the next minute want to change to 400 mm to photograph basically the same subject, or portions of it. Lately I have also been using my 24-85 much more frequently. I think I have neglected the ‘normal’ range a bit in my photography. My 70-200 is a workhorse landscape, macro, telephoto lens. On the rare occasion where I can truly concentrate on specific subjects – such as birds – I admit it is a bit of a relief to only carry my one long lens.
I don’t do a lot of street or travel photography – and for those cases, I can see where you might sacrifice options for mobility. For my back’s sake, I should probably try to limit myself more often and just suck it up if I miss something. But of course, there is always a good supply of ibuprofen nearby as well.
November 16th, 2007 at
Boy, this hits home, Mark! I understand. Personally, for most of my shots, I use my 18-70mm; however, there times when I force myself to use only one lens, but I still take them all … just in case!
I find that if I constrain myself to that one lens, I really do start to look at things differently. One of the most useful lenses is my 90mm macro lens. I can go all the way from 1:1 macro, to portraits, to landscapes. It, of course, requires that I move around a bit, as it is not a zoom lens. I have to ‘zoom’ with my feet.
Lovely shot of the waterfall, BTW!!!
November 16th, 2007 at
Great post Mark, if I was shooting people or occasions along with nature it would be my 17-55, but I find myself using my Sigma 150 macro for a lot of different images these days.
Boy it would be hard to pick just one, but those two are always in my pack
November 16th, 2007 at
I did injure my back heavily about three weeks ago, after a photo shoot in the woods trying to capture those little fungi.
So, the cure would be just carrying one lens. That will be a hard cure.
November 16th, 2007 at
I generally carry just two lenses; a 35-70 and a wide angle. However, I often carry a 2X tele-extender for some distance and a set of screw on diopter lenses for macro stuff.
November 16th, 2007 at
I like occasionally just dealing with one lens. If I had to absolutely pick one focal length, I’d go with my 500mm f4.0 allowing use of teleconverters and extension tubes. With that lens I can do wildlife (including small birds), close-up flower work (with entension tubes) and even landscape extractions. My favorite one-lens kit is a Canon 28-300mm L lens that I use for landscapes, some macro, and even larger wildlife. For straight walk-around, nothing is better than a simple 50mm f1.4!
November 16th, 2007 at
Interesting topic. I typically carry my Canon 70-200 f/4 IS- it is a workhorse. I also carry a 50mm 1.8 for everyday use. I am now searching for a better “ranged” lens- and am thinking about getting the Sigma 18-50 2.8 Macro- it has gotten pretty good reviews. I have also started carrying a Canon G9 camera on my belt- I have found it to be more convenient than carrying the SLR everywhere with the various lenses. I can also use my Speedlight on the G9. Interesting blog- I look forward to reading more.
November 17th, 2007 at
When I was still using my old analog SLR I also carried a lot of heavy stuff with me under the assumption I might need this and that – in order to be always prepared.
In the meanwhile I use a Fuji prosumer camera, a thing between a pocket and an SLR and it has only one lens, from inbuilt macro to a 300mm tele. So this reduces the baggage to a wonderful small bag that can be taken anywhere and hidden even under a sweater. In most cases it is all I need. And that is exactly the point.
Today’s consumerism has gone so far that we always think we need to have everything and need to take everything with us. Do we really? Do we always need the largest, the most expensive, the most sophisticated tools in order to be creative? Do we really have to compete with the techniques your fellow photographer uses in order to be on equal level?
We have gone so far, that we risk health, being even robbed or assaulted only because we NEED all that stuff?
It might be a bit different if I shoot for my profession exclusively but even then it is doubtful whether I need everything that’s on the market. The one or other tool may be an aid for my work but even an expensive multiple equipment does not guarantee success if I don’t have a vision!
November 17th, 2007 at
Well put Petra, certainly words I need to keep in mind.
November 17th, 2007 at
Petra, great post, and one that I too need to keep in mind. My family and I recently had a house fire that destroyed almost everything in the house. My camera equipment survived because they were in bags in a cabinet- so the smoke and water didn’t get to them. Anyway- the fire, although horrifying, we could live with. None of my family was hurt. We still have our friends and family. We had insurance. And it was almost a relief to be rid of so much stuff that we really didn’t need anyway! One of my friends told me that he was jealous that I was able to get rid of my stuff. I recently read a verse in I Corinthians where Paul recommended that “each look after the wealth of others”. In other words- instead of trying to enrich myself- I need to be seeking to help others.
Unfortunately, it is easier to say then do. Habits die hard. I do think that unchecked consumerism is a waste of health and resources. I certainly need to be wiser. \
Thanks again Paul, for your wise post.
November 17th, 2007 at
Sorry, Petra, I called you Paul at the end of my previous post- that’s what I get for quoting Paul in a post.
November 17th, 2007 at
Although I still enjoy some basic nature photography, I’ve recently switched over to a standard digital camera & I’ve also gotten back into painting. No longer do I lug all of the usual gear everywhere I go. I take some basic snapshots of interesting subjects & then, if I want a close up, etc., etc., I’ll just paint it based on the snapshot.
If only the Wizard of Oz had that magical, all-in-one camera lens in his bag! You know, the one that weighs about 2 ounces & fits in the palm of your hand?
November 17th, 2007 at
Daniel – LOL – no harm done actually!!!!!You could call me worse than that!!!!
November 20th, 2007 at
In a perfect world we would have a single lens that can do it all, and do it all perfectly. Maybe someday someone will invent one. With the rapid pace of advancements in modern technology, who knows?
November 24th, 2007 at
Hey Mark
Speaking of lenses, that reminds me of an old promise I think you made, a few years back, concerning a certain 200-400mm zoom?
I have the same dilemma .. I find my 28-80mm isn’ t wide enough on the D2x, often, so I have the 12-24. Then I have the 70-200m (awesome lens) .. and the 500mm .. and I’d LOVE a 300mm f2.8. Like I need more gear!
Speaking of dealing with back issues though, try carrying that gear plus a week or 2 food, a tent, clothes, sleeping bag, stove, etc .. then come back talking about your back!
Cheers
Carl
November 24th, 2007 at
Hey Carl, I appreciate you hiking out of the snow drifts, kicking the rat-driven generator to fire up your internet access just to remind me of that.
And I would get me one of them sherpas instead of doing the crazy stuff you do.
November 25th, 2007 at
hey Mark
Yeah, a sherpa would be nice. Each year I think they’d be alittle nicer.
I notice you cleverly side-stepped the issue of my lens.
Cheers
Carl
November 27th, 2007 at
I would love to have an all around universal lens that shot wide angle and was able to zoom in with maybe some IS functionality. No doubt this lens would be expensive. Seems to me though with the technology available it would be possible to make a 12-250 mm
September 20th, 2008 at
I can survive with just 2 lenses but I like to have all of mine.