Double Lenses

MarkBarbieri

Semi-retired
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Aug 20, 2006
Messages
6,172
For those of you in multi-camera families, what lenses are such a good value that you have more than one in your family? We don't have any yet, but we've debated getting the new version of the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 and keeping the old one because we both consider it our favorite lens.
 
I am kind of partial to 50mm primes- I have two right now- I think I had four or five at one point 1.2, 1.4, AF, MF, Sigma.
 
Different strokes...50mm has always been one of my least favorite focal lengths. It's not wide enough or long enough.
 
We have two 18-55's (Pentax DA AL and a DA AL II). I originally purchased the first for the DW's camera. After she dropped it and I thought, broke it, I bought her the updated AL II version. A photographer friend was able to easily fix the lens so I took it when I purchased my DSLR. I have overlapping lens ranges because the wife likes light and I heavy. She has the DA 50-200 and I have the Sigma 70-200. I also have an older manual Tamron 70-210. Most of my lenses are overlapping ranges not necessarily the same lens.
 

Different strokes...50mm has always been one of my least favorite focal lengths. It's not wide enough or long enough.

Likewise, I have had 2x 80-200/2.8 and 2x 70-200/2.8vr lenses. I tried really hard to like that range zoom and it just never worked out.
 
I have two 135mm primes. A minolta 2.8 which is great because it's fast and compact. Then I have a 135mm STF. Amazingly sharp lens - manual focus. I have resisted several times buying a 135mm f1.8. Something about that focal length that I just love in a prime.

DH and I each have our own 18-250mm. And 50mm (1.4 & 1.7). DH pretty much has the 18-250 glued to his camera. I still like it for some travel when I don't have room for more than the camera and one lens. Since it's not a lens I normally reach for I do think about selling mine though and just sneaking his when I need it. ;)
 
The only lens that I would certainly double up on right now (but don't have the $$ for it) is the Canon 100mm f2.8L IS macro. It is one of the nicest sharpest lenses I have ever used. Much better sharpness than my 70-200 f2.8L IS, just not quite as versatile being a prime.
 
At one point I had 2 50mm primes, a 1.8 and a 1.4 both Nikkor. I eventually gave my son the 1.8. Same with the 70-300/80-200 telephoto lenses. I had purchased the 80-200mm VR 4-5.6 right after getting my D40. When I purchased the 17-55 2.8 from Craigslist the guy also had a 70-300 ED series which he gave me for a little bit of nothing extra. Turned out I liked the 70-300 better than the 80-200VR so I passed it along to my son also. Right now I dont have any doubles but am wanting a faster telephoto. When I do finally get a faster one I will probably still keep that old 70-300 for when I want to go light.
 
Different strokes...50mm has always been one of my least favorite focal lengths. It's not wide enough or long enough.
I have Nikon's 50mm f/1.8, and my wife is getting one for Christmas, though she doesn't know it yet. I felt as you do when I shot film, but on a DX-format camera it makes a nice little portrait lens. As I have a D300 and my wife shoots with a D70, it makes sense to have them. I'd love to eventually have an 85mm f/1.8 (or f/1.4), but for the now the 50 will suffice.

Scott
 

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