Other What lenses do you currently have, and plans for the future?

[BasilFawlty]

A post I saw on a Facebook Group inspired me to make this post to ask the group: 1) What lenses do you currently have? 2) Which lenses, if any, do you plan to sell, and 3) what lenses do you realistically hope to acquire in the future? Feel free to make brief comment for each lens explaining why you like it, or why you're selling it, or why you want it.
I'll start:

Current Lenses:

• Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 (EF). My go-to lens for Milkyway and night shots
• RF 14-35mm f/4.0. Recently acquired because I didn't have a good wide angle zoom for landscapes. I prefer it over the RF 15-35 f/2.8 due to size and weight
• EF 50mm f/1.4. (selling) It's an "ok" lens, but going to sell because I recently picked up the RF 45mm f/1.2
• RF 45mm f/1.2 Just got this lens a couple weeks ago. It's not technically optically perfect, but it's really better than I expected at the price.
• RF 85mm f/2.0 Bought this lens at the same time I bought my RF 70-200 f/4. I just wanted another bright portrait lens and have always liked 85 focal length. I also like that it has pseudo-macro capability.
• RF 24-105 f/4 Bought this with my R5. Honestly, this is the lens that is on camera most of the time. If I'm only taking one lens, this is it.
• RF 70-200 f/4 Bought this over the heavier/ pricier f/2.8 version due to size and weight (I hike a lot). I do love this lens and rarely feel I'm missing anything at f4
• EF 135 f/2. I will never part with this lens. Yes, I know the RF version is probably a little better, but this lens is so good that I have no desire to "upgrade" Probably the best bang for the buck EF lens you can get! It renders beautiful backgrounds and is brilliant for indoor shooting like rodeos, etc.
• EF 300mm f/4. What can I say? It's a 300mm and it's f/4 that didn't break the bank! It focuses well on humming birds and renders creamy backgrounds. The IS is older and a bit noisy, but other than that, this is a great back-porch humming bird lens.
• EF 150-600 (Sigma). (maybe selling) I "might" sell this when I finally decide to get the RF 100-500, but then again, I might keep it. Still debating. It's a pretty good lens and pretty bright (f/6.3 at 600mm). It's nice for those times when I really need a bit more reach.
• Various FD lenses I still have a handful of old FD lenses from my film days (50mm f/1.8, 28-70 f/2.8, 100-300). I actually bought an FD-RF adaptor and can shoot these on my R5, but only with manual focus. They are sometimes just fun to take out and play around with.

Lenses on my wish list:

• RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS This is at the top of my wish list. I do a lot of birding and wildlife and have seen too many positive reviews not to want it!
• RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM Why get this lens if I get the 100-500? Well, because sometimes I like to go on long hikes and it would be nice to have a lighter tele lens with decent reach that is less than half the weight of the RF 100-500. It's all about having options.
• RF 20mm f/1.4 L This is a bit pricy but I'd love to have this beast for night sky photography. My Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 is ok, but this lens would be brilliant for shooting the Milkyway.

 

[JackC]

Current lens
RF S 18-150mm
My go to, everyday all round carry
RF 100-400mm
For wildlife
EF S 10-18mm
Mostly for travel landscape and sightseeing
EF S 55-250mm
Would sell but better half keeps saying she is going start photography with my old XS, so keeping it if when this happens

Lens on my wish list
RF 24mm
For night time and aurora

 

[Only RF]

After going into RF I sold all my EF gear. I simplified things by get the two EF lenses equivalents I used most often. Not many decisions to make when I travel.

RF 100-500
RF 24-105 F4
RF 1.4 TC

No real need but perhaps someday

An RF 600 f4 - when I win a lottery.
RF 70-200 2.8 - If I had a need. Since I don't shoot events anymore it's not pressing but that is a nice range.
RF 16-28 2.8 STM. I had the RF 16mm but I rarely used it so I sold it. The range is intriguing but these days with pano tools I can stitch a few landscape flies. I'm more interested in side to side not up and down. It does offer unique perspectives but I never really go into that.

​

 

[JoeTheSnowPlowGuy]

My current lenses for my Canon system:

Most Used:
Tokina Opera 50mm F1.4 FF- This is a wonderful lens. It's build quality is on par with Nikon Gold Ring, Canon L, Pentax *, Sony GM, etc. It's perfectly at home adapted on an R6 II or on it''s native mount 5D. Sharp, sharp, sharp. It's also versatile. I don't get the clinical contrast/sharpness thats sometimes prevalent with modern primes. Toss a Tiffen 1/4 black pro mist on it and images look very nice and edit easily. This lens adapted onto an R6 II earned me a publication and award on 1X.

Canon FD 55mm F1.2 SSC- This lens is a GEM. I absolutely love the images I get from this lens. Yes, it's manual focus, but it has that FD SSC magic that's not describable. At F2 this lens is sharp. I normally shoot it at F2 - F2.8 and wow what an image. Is it perfect? No way. Is that the point? One billion percent. Can I do professional work with it? Darn straight. I have several photographs shot with this lens adapted on an R6 II that have been published on 1X.

Canon RF 70-200 F4 L IS USM- This lens is awesome. Many of the same properties I find in the Tokina I find in this lens. It's razor sharp, but it is not over the top. I haven't added a 1/4 BPM to is because I mainly use it for sports. Some will bemoan the F4 aperture, however I don't. I think in many instances F4 actually benefits the image - you get to see more background and context. For faster moving sports like ice hockey the greater depth of field makes tracking action a touch easier. The one sport I am finding I may need a slightly shallower depth of field is HS wrestling. Sometimes the spectator distance from the mat/wrestlers and the wrestlers distance from me doesn't lend to fantastic subject isolation, but I don't think this would be dramatically different at F2.8 (for the environments I find myself in) and I'd need something in the ballpark of F2 or F1.8. Right now the ROI on a 135 F1.8 isn't there for this use, but may be in the future.

Least Used:
Canon EF 16-35mm F2.8 L IS USM- At one point I used this lens a lot adapted on an R6 II. I put a 1/2 BPM on it and was satisfied. As my style developed I gravitated heavily to the 45-55mm focal range. I also don't think this lens is exceptionally sharp. Compared to the Tokina Opera or RF L (Heck even the FD 55) it doesn't add up, which isn't unusual for a wide angle zoom of its age. This lens is very unremarkable for my style when paired with the 5D.

Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM- This lens, for me, is purpose driven. I only use this lens if I want to be compact. I hardly use it any more, typically opting for the Tokina or FD. If I had an R8 or RP (My father and I got my mom an RP and 24-105 F4-7.1 STM. Gotta say, insane value for $750 brand new on Amazon.) I might use it more. I've thought about selling it, but as 50mm is my bread and butter it doesn't hurt to keep it around as a back up.

Canon RF 85mm F2 STM Macro- This lens used to be my magic lens. Heck, maybe I should give it another shot. This lens is super sharp. It makes beautiful images. BUT, I don't like the color this lens provides. Editing the images to my look is difficult. To me this lens leans magenta and cool. I am much more of a warmer shooter. Normally I'd say this is correctable in post, but for some reason I can't get images to look the way I can with the Tokina, FD SSC, or RF L. This one might be sold. The autofocus can also be a bit spotty- it likes to hunt even with the limiter use. For me it's macro capability is negligible.

Special Use:
Pentax-M SMC 50mm F1.4- This is a gorgeous lens. It's not sharp wide open, but it produces nice results. This was my go to 50mm before I added the FD SSC. Sorry Pentax, the SSC has that certain je ne sais quoi. Now, this lens is more contrasty. So, I suppose it has its place. I've made some bangers with this adapted on an R6 II, I just prefer the FD SSC.

Pentax-M SMC 100mm F2.8- Now this lens is a banger. It's sharp at F2.8. It's easy to use. Colors are excellent albeit different from SSC or RF L. I use this lens for stage type (think music) when I want to get some close up portraits. That being said, it's sat in my bag unused for a while. I just have much more use for a 50mm.

Pentax-M* 300mm F4- This lens might be getting some use soon. I know this sounds crazy, but I might try it for wrestling. Yes, it's manual focus, yes it's 300mm. But, that could produce some absolute bangers using good zone focusing technique and the insane focus peaking ability of the R6 II. It could also be a huge failure. Might have to find out.

I keep the Pentax lenses around because I want to pick up a K-1 at some point. I have a K-50 that I absolutely love shooting with, I just want full frame. I think Pentax color science is hugely underrated. Their * lenses are very nice. I have a DA* 16-50 SDM that currently needs a new focus motor, but when paired with the K-50 produces some bangers.

As for image editing in post- no, it is not always possible to produce the same final colors and warmth/feel/soul/whatever you want to call it, with any lens. The SSC, Tokina, and RF L are all similar enough to be difficult to perceive a difference. The SMC, EF L, and STM lenses have their own look/feel. Basically what I'm saying is I can put together a gallery of images shot with the SSC, Tokina, and RF L that all look similar enough for consistency. The SMC lenses would look different no matter what I do to the images.

Also, note on the Tokina. If you need a 50mm and are fine with adapting, buy this lens over the Sigma Art. It's weather sealed, built like a tank, and the optics are insane. I picked mine up in excellent condition from KEH for $500. This lens is a Pentax DA* 50mm F1.4. Pentax and Tokina had a research or collaboration, some kind of partnership in 2018 when this lens was produced. The lens is made by Tokina I think under license from Pentax, but I can't know for sure. I believe the formula is the exact same and the difference is in the lens coatings and assembly factory - Japan for Pentax; Vietnam for Tokina.

Ok, thanks for reading my TedX talk.

 

[THXGEEK]

• RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM – my primary, sitting on the back deck, lens (good light)
• RF200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM – birds & critters far away
• RF70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z - my secondary, sitting on the back deck, lens (bad light)
• RF24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM - my primary every day, knocking around lens
• RF15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM - landscapes & cityscapes
• RF24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM – my 2nd every day, knocking around lens
• RF135mm F1.8 L IS USM - mostly people, pets and inside shots (pubs, museums, ect)
• RF85mm F1.2 L USM - mostly people, pets and inside shots (pubs, museums, ect)
• RF50mm F1.2 L USM - mostly people, pets and inside shots (pubs, museums, ect)
• RF35mm F1.4 L VCM - mostly people, pets and inside shots (pubs, museums, ect)
• RF24mm F1.4 L VCM – mostly astro and landscapes, cityscapes
• RF100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM – tiny things up close

What's next? I'd like to try out a tilt/shift lens. We'll see.

 

[PKM-UK]

Lenses in regular use -

RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM
RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM

EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
(Control Ring EF-EOS R Mount Adapter)

In general terms -
Wide/ bright - Landscapes, historic buildings/ interiors, museums/ artefacts, travel.
Long - Wildlife, distant subjects.
EF Lens very rarely used. No current plans to sell/ buy.

 

[David Stallard]

Hate to be a grinch BUT - be very careful posting what you have on line, few years ago there was a spate of home thefts after people had done the same thing. Friend of a friend type thing.

 

[RickyRed]

My wish Sigma RF 150-600 F 3.5-6.3.
Used this lens in EF plus 7DII

 

[BasilFawlty]

Current lens
RF S 18-150mm
My go to, everyday all round carry
RF 100-400mm
For wildlife
EF S 10-18mm
Mostly for travel landscape and sightseeing
EF S 55-250mm
Would sell but better half keeps saying she is going start photography with my old XS, so keeping it if when this happens

Lens on my wish list
RF 24mm
For night time and aurora

How do you like that RF 100-400?

 

[JackC]

How do you like that RF 100-400?

I really like it. I do most of my wildlife shooting in good light and the weight-balance seems good for me with the R7.

 

[thomhir]

Just sold nearly all EF lenses and RF primes ... whats left is

RF 14-35 F4: Love that for indoors, urban pics, and some landscape
RF 28-70 F2.8: Urban pics when flexibility (focal length), weight, and the will to change lenses is zero
RF 70-200 F4: Evolves into my favorite lense. For everything.
RF 50 F1.8: Still around, need to figure what it is good for
RF 100-400: Niche lens for details (landscapes) some birding
and
EF 100 F2.8 Macro (from 1990): For Macro only, also niche

Whats next? Selling the 50? New? Nothing in sight.

I think I found my setup for the R6 ... for the time being

 

[BasilFawlty]

Just sold nearly all EF lenses and RF primes ... whats left is

RF 14-35 F4: Love that for indoors, urban pics, and some landscape
RF 28-70 F2.8: Urban pics when flexibility (focal length), weight, and the will to change lenses is zero
RF 70-200 F4: Evolves into my favorite lense. For everything.
RF 50 F1.8: Still around, need to figure what it is good for
RF 100-400: Niche lens for details (landscapes) some birding
and
EF 100 F2.8 Macro (from 1990): For Macro only, also niche

Whats next? Selling the 50? New? Nothing in sight.

I think I found my setup for the R6 ... for the time being

Nice spread!

 

[BasilFawlty]

• RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM – my primary, sitting on the back deck, lens (good light)
• RF200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM – birds & critters far away
• RF70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z - my secondary, sitting on the back deck, lens (bad light)
• RF24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM - my primary every day, knocking around lens
• RF15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM - landscapes & cityscapes
• RF24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM – my 2nd every day, knocking around lens
• RF135mm F1.8 L IS USM - mostly people, pets and inside shots (pubs, museums, ect)
• RF85mm F1.2 L USM - mostly people, pets and inside shots (pubs, museums, ect)
• RF50mm F1.2 L USM - mostly people, pets and inside shots (pubs, museums, ect)
• RF35mm F1.4 L VCM - mostly people, pets and inside shots (pubs, museums, ect)
• RF24mm F1.4 L VCM – mostly astro and landscapes, cityscapes
• RF100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM – tiny things up close

What's next? I'd like to try out a tilt/shift lens. We'll see.

I’d say you have all the bases covered and then some. Wow nice collection.

 

[JCBigler]

My RF Lenses:

RF24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM
RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
RF100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
RF16mm f/2.8 STM
RF35mm f/1.8 IS STM
RF50mm f/1.8 STM
RF85mm f/2 IS STM

Sirui 35mm T2.9 1.6X FF Anamorphic
Sirui 50mm T2.9 1.6X FF Anamorphic
Sirui 75mm T2.9 1.6X FF Anamorphic
Laowa Argus FFII 35mm f/0.95

Helios M44-2 58mm f/2 in M42 mount, but I have an M42 to EF adapter and use the Canon EF-EOS R control ring adapter with it. It's not the sharpest lens in the bag, but it sure has a cool look with the right background.

There's not many lenses that I feel I want, other than the RF85mm f/1.2L USM, and some of the ungodly expensive super telephoto lenses that I'll never be able to afford. At this I'm kind of more interested in lenses that do a specific thing (low light) or have a special character, like the anamorphic lenses, or the vintage Helios. The next one I buy will probably be one of the Helios 40-2 85mm f/1.5 lenses.

​

 

[506ABN]

A post I saw on a Facebook Group inspired me to make this post to ask the group: 1) What lenses do you currently have? 2) Which lenses, if any, do you plan to sell, and 3) what lenses do you realistically hope to acquire in the future? Feel free to make brief comment for each lens explaining why you like it, or why you're selling it, or why you want it.
I'll start:

Current Lenses:

• Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 (EF). My go-to lens for Milkyway and night shots
• RF 14-35mm f/4.0. Recently acquired because I didn't have a good wide angle zoom for landscapes. I prefer it over the RF 15-35 f/2.8 due to size and weight
• EF 50mm f/1.4. (selling) It's an "ok" lens, but going to sell because I recently picked up the RF 45mm f/1.2
• RF 45mm f/1.2 Just got this lens a couple weeks ago. It's not technically optically perfect, but it's really better than I expected at the price.
• RF 85mm f/2.0 Bought this lens at the same time I bought my RF 70-200 f/4. I just wanted another bright portrait lens and have always liked 85 focal length. I also like that it has pseudo-macro capability.
• RF 24-105 f/4 Bought this with my R5. Honestly, this is the lens that is on camera most of the time. If I'm only taking one lens, this is it.
• RF 70-200 f/4 Bought this over the heavier/ pricier f/2.8 version due to size and weight (I hike a lot). I do love this lens and rarely feel I'm missing anything at f4
• EF 135 f/2. I will never part with this lens. Yes, I know the RF version is probably a little better, but this lens is so good that I have no desire to "upgrade" Probably the best bang for the buck EF lens you can get! It renders beautiful backgrounds and is brilliant for indoor shooting like rodeos, etc.
• EF 300mm f/4. What can I say? It's a 300mm and it's f/4 that didn't break the bank! It focuses well on humming birds and renders creamy backgrounds. The IS is older and a bit noisy, but other than that, this is a great back-porch humming bird lens.
• EF 150-600 (Sigma). (maybe selling) I "might" sell this when I finally decide to get the RF 100-500, but then again, I might keep it. Still debating. It's a pretty good lens and pretty bright (f/6.3 at 600mm). It's nice for those times when I really need a bit more reach.
• Various FD lenses I still have a handful of old FD lenses from my film days (50mm f/1.8, 28-70 f/2.8, 100-300). I actually bought an FD-RF adaptor and can shoot these on my R5, but only with manual focus. They are sometimes just fun to take out and play around with.

Lenses on my wish list:

• RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS This is at the top of my wish list. I do a lot of birding and wildlife and have seen too many positive reviews not to want it!
• RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM Why get this lens if I get the 100-500? Well, because sometimes I like to go on long hikes and it would be nice to have a lighter tele lens with decent reach that is less than half the weight of the RF 100-500. It's all about having options.
• RF 20mm f/1.4 L This is a bit pricy but I'd love to have this beast for night sky photography. My Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 is ok, but this lens would be brilliant for shooting the Milkyway.

EF 16-35mm f4 L, EF 24-105mm f3.5-5.6 and EF 100-400mm f4 L MII w/2X MIII.
I use these on my R7 with control ring adapter.
This setup covers everything for me including "Macro with the 100-400MM.
I sold my 100mm L macro as it never got used. If I need higher magnification I use my FLM 100mm f4 on the Canon Auto Bellows.
I have about 16 R, FL and FD lenses I use as the mood strikes me. Especially the FL 58mm f1.2 for portraits.
All lenses are used on my R7.

 

[RobAmy]

My gear

RF 15-35 f2.8
RF 24-105 F2.8 Z
RF 70-200mm F2.8 Z
RF 85mm f1.2
RF 100-300mm F2.8
RF 400 F2.8
RF 1.4x & 2x extenders