Just for fun.. rank your lenses

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Using whatever criteria you see fit, rank your lenses from 1 to x. Feel free to include lenses you don't own anymore. Commentary highly encouraged!

I'll start! My camera is a Sony A700, and you'll notice most of my lenses are third party. I built my lineup with value in mind.. I was willing to make sacrifices vs OEM glass to get more capabilities for much less money. This is why I shoot a brand with in-body IS.

#1 - Sigma 30mm f/1.4
This one is easy as I simply have more fun with this lens than any other, and it has the bokeh of a lens twice its price.

#2 - Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8
Most used lens for day to day shooting and easily the best value in my bag when combined with in-body IS. Build quality is somewhat lacking, but AF is quick (A700's powerful focus motor helps here, I hear it's not so good with in-lens focus motor) and it is a good optical performer.

#3 - Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6
If this list were just about Disney shooting, UWA would be #1 for me. In the real world, though, I struggle mightily to find the time to give this lens the attention it deserves.

#4 - Sony 50mm f/1.4
Like all these old 50mm designs, it's not very good wide open so I try never to go below f/1.7, but it's small and light and pretty fun to use when I need a bit more reach in low light. Also a good portrait lens.

#5 - Sigma 105mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro
Sharp and fun to use for macro, but I don't have time for deliberate macro shooting lately. Plus the bokeh is only so-so, and the AF is painfully slow and prone to hunting so I rarely use it as a short tele.

#6 - Minolta 70-210mm f/4 (the Minolta "beercan")
I bought this as a stopgap, hoping to be able to replace it with a 70-200/2.8 quickly, but unfortunately not. It has good sharpness, color, and bokeh, so for what I paid it is a great value for an f/4 constant tele, but slow AF and bad CA make it irritating for me to use. Hoping Santa brings a replacement!

 

[annnewjerz]

Since I sold two of my lenses recently, I only have three to comment on. I think I need to make sure that changes in early 2010.

1. Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (Nikon Mount)
It was love at first click for me when I purchased this lens in March. There are a million things I love about it, but for now I'll just name a few. First, it wasn't insanely expensive, somewhere around $375 which comparatively speaking was downright cheap. Second, it's a good focal length. I can use it as a walkaround lens and not feel too limited. Not too long, not too wide---it's juuuust right. Third, it's got some dreamy bokeh, even when it's stopped down a bit. Fourth, having the f/1.4 has come in handy a bunch for Disney already and I was only there for 2.5 days! The fifth reason that I love the lens may be in my head, but I feel like the color and contrast that this lens produces on photos straight out of the camera is awesome.

2. Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6
I have a real love/hate relationship with this lens. One day I love it, the next day I hate it. After walking around WDW a few weekends ago without even bringing the 18-200, it makes me question whether or not I need it at all---especially after I purchase the Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 (which I plan to do in early 2010). I love that the lens is convenient. I love that's it's lightweight (in relation to the range that it covers) and that my copy has no problem with lens creep. I don't like how "slow" the lens is, with the minimum/maxiumum/whatever aperture being f/5.6 on the long end. While I can still get nice separation with f/5.6 between a subject and the background if they are spaced far away from eachother, it's hard to get an isolated subject with this lens when fully extended.

3. Tokina 11-16 f/2.8
This lens only comes in third because of the fact that I have barely touched it yet and therefore, have no idea whether or not I'll love it or it will sit in my bag for months on end. This lens was definitely the most difficult of all the lenses that have passed through my hands to get. I sat on a waitlist for a few weeks and spent almost as much as my 18-200, but I'm sure it'll be worth it in the end. It's definitely a specialty lens and is not for everyone, but based on the shots I took with it in WDW and the fact that it's f/2.8, I think it'll be a keeper. I'm really looking forward to using it more in December.

The lenses I sold (Nikon 50mm f/1.8 and Nikon 60mm f/2.8) were both really great also, but with the addition of the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 and the lack of macro shooting I did in the 7 months I owned the lens, I didn't need them anymore and they funded the Tokina.

Next up, the Nikon 80-200 f/2.8, which I'm sure will rank pretty high up on the list.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Most of my lenses are used for different purposes. But I'd have to say I hold strong on my #1 choice.

#1 - Sigma 30mm f/1.4
Ditto to the above- I have so much fun with this lens! I really didn't realize I'd love it so much. The colors are beautiful, the bokeh is awesome and the DOH and low light capabilities are great. Focal length is perfect (wouldn't buy the 50mm).

#2 - Canon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 (#1 for versatility)
Great quality lens for the versatility. I love what I get from this- and it's an awesome walkaround vacation lens. (although I'm planning on buying the Canon 24-105 f/4L within the next year so that may replace this as a walkaround).

#3 - Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro (#1 for macro situations)
I go between 1, 2 and 3 with this lens. When I use it- I'm in love with it. It's sharpness is amazing, and I LOVE macro photography. I'm consistently impressed by the images I get from it. I just don't use it as much because it's less versatile- but I would never get rid of it (unless someone bought me the f/2.8L! ).

#4 - Canon kit lens, 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
Umm... because I don't use it? It's just a backup. I liked the quality of the images I got from it, I just like the 18-200mm so much more.

On backorder and to add to the list later... Tokina 11-16 f/2.8.

 

[WDWFigment]

#1 - Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8
I think I've made my feelings about this lens known in the past, but I'll extol its virtues once more. WDW is the perfect location for ultra wide angle shooting. 11mm isn't 10mm, but it's really wide, and I love having the f/2.8 for dark rides and interiors (and I think it helps "future proof" the lens as higher ISO camera bodies make it even more useful for dark rides). On our past two trips, at least 50% of my top shots have been taken with this lens. I don't really care about real world photography, so it doesn't bother me that I can't find real world uses for the lens.

#2 - Nikkor 18-200mm VR
The Swiss Army knife of my bag. This lens is actually on the decline for me, as I want a 80-200 f/2.8 and already have better options in the middle of the focal range and at the wide end. Still, you can't beat this lens' versatility, and if I were to go to WDW with only one lens, it would probably be this one. The UWA is nice, but my fiancee isn't too wild about the unintentional distortion I produce on her when taking portrait shots with it.

#3 - Sigma 30mm f/1.4
This lens is one that's on the rise for me. For the same reasons stated above, I love it. I really need to work on incorporating it into my daily non-dark ride use more. This is typically the lens Sarah uses, so I haven't seen as much action with it as I would like recently.

#4 - Nikkor 12-24mm f/4
I love UWA lenses, this was an UWA lens, so I liked it. It ranks lower because it doesn't compete well with the Tokina. I bought this about one month before buying the D90, and I got it because the Tokina wouldn't autofocus with my D40 (which probably wouldn't have been a big deal). I sold this lens for more than I paid for it or the Tokina, so I guess all is well that ends well.

#5 - Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
This lens came with my D90; initially I planned on selling it to recoup some of the cost of the D90, but I fell in love with it. I like the focal range for walking around more than the Sigma 30, but the bokeh isn't as nice. Overall, still one heck of a lens, though.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'll stick with the lenses that I've used in the last year.

#1 - Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS - This is easily my favorite and most used lens. I love the focal range. I love the AF speed. I love the wide aperture for subject isolation. I use it primarily for people shots - portraits, kids at play, soccer games, etc.

#2 - Nikon 200-400 f/4 VR - I use a friend's on his camera during a soccer game last year. I loved it. It's a bit big and expensive and it was hard to get used to the zoom being backwards. If Canon made a lens like this, I'd order it today and figure out how to pay for it tomorrow.

#3 - Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 - This is my favorite indoor lens or general purpose moderately low light lens. It was tied with my 70-200 for most used until I got the 24-105, with which it now splits time. I like it a bit more than that lens, but it is close.

#4 - Canon 100-400mm f/3.5-f/5.6 - I rented this lens this summer. I'm not a fan of the push/pull design, although I understand it's purpose (better for tracking rapidly moving subjects). I liked the extra reach and relatively light weight. The optics are reasonably good for a lens with this focal range and price. It could stand to be updated to a newer IS. I'll probably by this lens this spring if things go well for me at bonus time.

#5 - Canon 24-105 f/4 IS - I got this with my 5DM2 as a kit lens. It's lighter than the 24-70, has longer reach, and is stabilized. It isn't as good optically (particularly with barrel distortion on the wide end), but it is good enough. I gets a lot of use as a walk-around lens.

#6 - Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 - I played with a friends for a while shooting a model house. It's a really cool lens. It would be higher on my list except for the fact that I don't shoot wide that often. If Canon made a lens like this, I'd probably buy it and I might do more wide shooting.

#7 - Canon 85mm f/1.2 - I rented this last Spring. It is one of the ultimate portrait lenses. I really liked it. I didn't rank too highly because it is quite expensive compared with how often I think I'd use it. It is also awkward to use and slow to focus. I'm going to save money and get the Canon 85mm f/1.8 instead.

#8 - Canon 17-40mm f/4 - This is a decent lens for it's range but not great. Canon just doesn't do great wide zooms (except the TSE lenses). I'm not much of a wide shooter, so that hasn't bothered me. I have been experimenting more with wide shots, so I am getting more use out of it.

#9 - Canon 50mm f/1.8 - At $75, I can't complain too much. It's definitely a piece of plastic, but it's survived for a decade so I guess it's strong enough. The bokeh is somewhat ugly (hexagons). I use it when I need something with a really wide aperture. Basically, it gets used on dark rides and weird situtations like that. It is one of my least used lenses.

#10 - Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro - This lens isn't at the bottom of my list because there is anything wrong with it. I just don't shoot that much macro. You'd think that after buying extension tubes, a close-up filter, and a ring flash, I'd know that I don't shoot enough macro to justify something like this. If I ranked lenses by pictures/dollar spent on the lens, this would have the worst ratio of the year because it isn't cheap like the 50mm and I didn't use it that much.

Lenses I plan to purchase in the next year include:

Canon 85mm f/1.8 - Primarily for portrait use to get a little more subject isolation than the 70-200 f/2.8. 70mm to 100mm seems to be the focal range I use most when shooting portraits, so this should do nicely.

Canon 24mm TSE - I've always wanted a tilt/shift lens. I want it as much to help me visualize better as I do for the shots I expect to get. I sometimes think I should get the 17mm instead, but I think the 24mm will be a more useful focal length.

Canon 100-400mm - Listed above, but as a rental. It would be great if they upgrade it before buy it, but I'm tired of waiting. I used it a lot on my trip. It's not so much money that if I have to replace it in a year or two I'll be bitter.

Canon 400mm f/2.8 - This has always been my dream lens. Expensive as it is, it will probalby always remain a dream. I put it on my list of possibilities because I'll probably never be in a better position financially to buy it, but I still find it unlikely that I'll pull the trigger.

One other thing to add - video. Now that I've been using the 5D for some video efforts, if affects how I see my lenses. It hasn't led me to any different conclusions yet, but it changes the mix a little. For example, my current set of lenses tops out at 200mm, which is pretty short, especially for full frame. However, having 21 megapixels gives me a lot of room to crop/zoom. That's not pracitcal with video, so I'm more interested in a longer lens than I otherwise would be.

I also love the effect of shallow DOF video. It's no different than the appeal with stills, it's just that it hasn't been achievable with video until now. The problem is that it's almost impossible to do with moving subjects because the focusing demands are too high. Having a smooth, precise focus ring will help. You honestly don't get that on AF lenses, so I'm now contemplating manual focus lenses, which I never did before.

Video is a different ballgame and it makes you rethink a lot of things.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I find it interesting that everyone with an APS-C sized sensor seems to really like their 30mm lens, which is very similar in focal length to the "standard" 50mm lens for film and full frame cameras. Oddly, I've never cared much for that focal length. I always seem happier further to the extremes. I just don't seem to compose well at that focal length. Maybe I should take a few outings with just a 50mm and see if I can get past that.

 

[WDWFigment]

I find it interesting that everyone with an APS-C sized sensor seems to really like their 30mm lens, which is very similar in focal length to the "standard" 50mm lens for film and full frame cameras. Oddly, I've never cared much for that focal length. I always seem happier further to the extremes. I just don't seem to compose well at that focal length. Maybe I should take a few outings with just a 50mm and see if I can get past that.

I'm not too wild about the 30mm focal length, except for dark rides. I'd rather have 50mm. Recently, I have been thinking a lot about getting an 85mm. I like perspective compression and other "stuff" you get from longer focal lengths, though. I also like the distortion produced by the UWA. I guess maybe I just like distortion?

 

[VVFF]

I find it interesting that everyone with an APS-C sized sensor seems to really like their 30mm lens, which is very similar in focal length to the "standard" 50mm lens for film and full frame cameras. Oddly, I've never cared much for that focal length. I always seem happier further to the extremes. I just don't seem to compose well at that focal length. Maybe I should take a few outings with just a 50mm and see if I can get past that.

I agree actually. I have been debating if I eventually want to get the 35mm Canon L or the 50mm Sigma F1.4 When I look at my pictures, I either generally shoot at the widest I have 17mm or the other end, 55mm. So I actually think I might favor the 50mm. It may be limiting for some applications but I think its more fun to shoot at a 85mm equivalent than a 50mm. Heck, I've even used my 100mm for some general purpose shooting and love it for that.

Anyway, I've really only used two lenses significantly enough to rank them for me right now its

1. Canon 100mm F2.8L Macro. Love the IS and the quality of this lens. Very fun to use and great as we approach winter as I can still find interesting things around the house to shoot. The image quality is amazing with great corner to corner sharpness. Oh and did I mention the Bokeh is to die for? I've also found it quite good at candid shots outdoors and portraits if enough room is available. Sure 160mm doesn't seem practical but I guess I just got use to it. Unfortunately I could still use some more length to shoot wildlife. I've manages some success at the 160mm equivalent but I tend to scare the animals away at that distance still.

2. Canon 17-55mm F2.8. I'm not entirely satisfied with this lens. The built quality is just ok. I've cleaned it out a few times for dust(just cause it bothers me, not because it actually needed it) and at 17mm my copy is fairly soft in a few corners. I may send this in to Canon to see if it is a centering issue that may be fixable but It doesn't bother me provided I don't need something in focus in the extreme upper left corner. And, as I mentioned before, I usually favor the 55mm end of this anyway so It's not all that common that I run into this issue.

I will give a small shout out to the Tokina 11-16mm F2.8. I had this for a day before I decided to sell it because I determined I couldn't justify it at the time. It was a good lens but I thought the bayonet mount felt cheap compared to Canons which bothered me a bit. Obviously the zoom range is limiting which I didn't mind that much. My main issue is that I'd REALLY like it to be 1mm wider. After using it I was tempted to go to the 10-22mm Canon and still am a bit undecided. Each has their pros and cons and I'll probably end up with one of these two later.

 

[Suburbanmom]

1. Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR - My baby. My precious. The lens I love the most. The clarity is amazing and the bokeh is drop dead gorgeous. Worth every penny.

2. Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 - My fororite indoor lens and the one I keep on at all times. The 70-200 is too long for indoor studio shots, so this is the one I use for that purpose. The bokeh is creamy and the AF is fast. Again...worth every penny.

3. Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 - I gave this lens it's first full work-out last week at Disney World. I have NEVER shot this wide before and it took some getting used to. I don't know that this lens will get daily use, but it is a valuable member of the lineup. I do some real estate photography for local realtors and this lens is wonderful for interiors.

4. Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 VR - A good sturdy lens that hasn't seen much action since I acquired the 70-200. I do use it at Lake Erie because of its lighter weight and extra reach. It's great on the beach for the sailing pictures I take all summer. Paired with the the high ISO abilities of D300, I can still get good distance pics indoors.

5. Nikon 50mm f/1.8 - I don't use it very much, but pull it out when there is a need for extremely low light shooting. It always take me a little while to adapt to the focal length.

6. Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 - Hasn't been off the shelf for a loooonnnggg time.

 

[spinetnglr]

#1 - Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8. by far my favorite lens that I own. I bought mine used from Craigslist and if something awful happened to this lens I wouldnt hesitate spending the money to replace it.

#2 - Nikkor 50mm f1.4. This is probably then lens I use most if I dont have the 17-55 on the camera.

#3 - Nikkor 10.5mm f2.8 fisheye. Another Craigslist bargain find. I dont think I would have this lens if I had not been able to purchase it for more than $200 less than what they sell for new. I love using this lens even though it is pretty much a specialty lens. When the occasion presents itself that a fisheye is suitable its a really fun lens to shoot with.

#4 - Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6. I really like this lens alot. I bought it at the same time as the 17-55mm used. Prior to this lens I had the Nikkor 80-200mm f4-5.6 VR as my long lens. I probably would not have purchased this lens but the guy selling the lenses accepted my offer when I told him I was interested in both. I like the extra reach this lens has over the 80-200mm and dont miss the VR. I think I get better results with this non VR lens than I did with the VR. I gave my 80-200 to my son figuring I wouldnt use it much having the overlap in focal lengths.

#5 - Nikkor 35mm f1.8. I purchased this lens in September and haven't used it a whole lot. I did use it some last week in Disney but wish I had carried the 50mm with the 1.4 aperature instead.

#6 - Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens. This lens I keep mounted on my D40 and use that camera when I want to snap some quick pics and dont want to get the D300 out.

This past May I rented the Nikkor 300mm f4 and really liked the shots I got with it. Its not a lens I think I would own however. Its very large and heavy and with my smallish hands its not one I could hand hold and expect good results. All the shots I got with it that I liked I had used a tripod.

There are not a lot of lenses that I am lusting over at the moment. If I had to come up with one that I really wanted it would be the Nikkor 28mm 1.4 but since this lens was discontinued and when you can find one they are $2000 and up I think it will continue to be just a dream. I would also like to add a medium length prime macro to the lineup of lenses I own but at this point I havent looked into which I would go for.

 

[oregondaddyof2]

2. Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6
After walking around WDW a few weekends ago without even bringing the 18-200, it makes me question whether or not I need it at all---especially after I purchase the Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 (which I plan to do in early 2010).

Hey Anne... If you decide that this lens just does not have a room in your bag, you let me know... I would be willing to take it off your hands ...

 

[jann1033]

i sold some of my lenses recently that were gathering dust but i'll list the few i still have
1) tamron 17-50 f2.8 non is...i like everything about this lens, very little to no ca, decent length , pretty good all around lens, nice weight, great warranty. might be slightly cheapish looking but I'm not out to impress anyone with my kit... sometimes it's actually an advantage for the guys with huge $$$$$ lenses to think you are a goof. they just ignore you and you can go about your business
2) phoenix 100mm macro. my "don't knock it till you tried it lens"( actually i had done a lot of research on it pre-purchase and it was rated really good, no longer being made). nice and sharp, love love love the length. build like a toy so light to carry and i hate the fact it is 2:1 unless you use the filter for 1:1 which is awful to use but something has to be wrong with it. and for the $100+ price it was probably an even bargain with the 50mm f1.8
3) canon f4 70-200, my favorite lens for color and quality but if my hands are the least bit shaky i need at least a monopod so it is number 3 just cause i don't use it as much as i would like. but it is a great lens, just wish my hands were steadier
4) canon 50mmf1.8 really don't use it much since i got the tamron but mine is great over f18 so that is nice for some shots. super light so i don't even notice it's in my bag so why not take it along
5)28-135 IS canon mine is not a bad copy but ehh, don't really use it much if ever. decent length, stinky in anything close to low light, might sometime take it along if i think i will be in a situation where i can not change lenses

i'm really pretty happy with my set up right now so can't really think of a lens i want unless someone drops a ton of money in my lap and i can get an is version of the 70-200 f2.8 but i think that weighs a ton so maybe not. or maybe get a 50( or 55?can never keep that one straight)-250 (canon) IS just so i can take it for shaky hand days and eventually i'll probably get the canon 100mm macro but none are really priorities right now

 

[Quicklabs]

Nikkor 24-70mm 2.8. Hardly ever leaves my camera. It will always be a better lens than I am a photographer. I don't care how much it weighs. I love it.

Nikkor 80-200mm 2.8. My new love. I need some time with it. But I was smitten from the very first picture I shot of Grace with this lens.

Sigma 150mm 2.8. A great lens, which I use mostly for macros. Needs a better photographer who can do it the justice it deserves.

Nikkor 18-200mm. It doesn't get much use anymore since I got the first two. But it's still a great travel lens. I go back and forth on whether to keep or sell.

Sigma 30mm 1.4. I should use this more often. I've always been happy with the results.

Nikkor 50 mm 1.8. A close runner up to the dirty thirty. Wish the bokeh was nicer. I used this for some candid portraits for a brochure at work, and the boss was very happy!

Sigma 10-20mm. My least used lens. I'm going to take it to Disney with me next week and give it some time out of the bag.

 

[Chikabowa]

Fun questions!!!

#1: 70-200 f2.8 VR I would run into a burning building to save this piece of glass. I love everything about it - the feel of the images, the quality of the images, the compression, the bokeh, everything. I love this lens.

#2: 50mm f1.4 It's probably one of my least used lenses lately, but I still love it. WYSIWYG with this lens along with the control of light. I love it.

#3: 85mm f1.4 My favorite portrait lens. The 50 used to be my favorite portrait lens until I went full frame, then it became the 85mm.

#4: 60mm f2.8 Macro I don't do a ton of macro work, but when I do, this lens is awesome.

#5: 24-70 f2.8 It's my most used, but least loved lens. Total work horse, but I'm never in love with it.

I've got a bunch of others too, and I've rented a handful, but these are the ones that I use 99% of the time, so it's not really worth reviewing the others.

 

[Khokhonutt]

I only have 3 lenses, but here's how I'd rank them:

#1 - Minolta 70-210mm f4 (the Minolta "beercan")
I love, love, love, this lens. It's always performed well for me. A Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 is on the wishlist, but probably won't happen for a while.

#2 - Tamron 28-75mm f2.8
This is my 'kit' lens. I keep it on the camera all the time for general shots. Either the Tamron or Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 is on the wish list to complement it.

#3 - Sigma 30mm f1.4
I just got this one and haven't had a ton of time to play with it, but am hoping to put it to good use soon.

 

[pointandshoot]

Tough call

1) Canon 70-200 f2.8 L IS - I like everything I shoot with it but its weight does keep it in the bag more than in daylight. Sport, portraits, whatever. Nice lens.

2) Canon 50mm f1.2 L - Fast becoming a favorite. Shallow depth of field rocks with great color and contrast. Takes time to learn but it is worth it. Pricey for a 50mm.

3) Canon 100-400mm F3.5-5.6L - This lens surprised me. I have used it at air shows and it was stellar. Same with nature and wildlife. It goes to the zoo with me. It is my most used lens and the reason I bought into Canon gear initially. It gives me a telephoto with quick focus and IS for a decent price. Nikon had an older 400mm zoom with slow focus or the 200-400mm with a big price tag and weight. Push pull not an issue for me.

4) Canon 24-105mm f4.0 L IS - Stays on my camera most of the time. Not as good as the 24-70mm f2.8 but I prefer primes in that range over a fast zoom so I choose it. Good all around lens. I like the extra reach.

5) Canon 16-35mm f2.8 L - Lightly used and waiting for a 5D MKII to buddy up with. As good as my beloved Nikon 17-35mm f2.8.

6) Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro - It has not found its mojo in my kit. A bit slow for any sports shot but that is not its purpose. I expect when I get my lighting gear it will be highly used and get more love.

 

[Gdad]

Nice thread idea Code- Here's my take.

1. Nikon 28mm f/1.4 AF - Wide- Fast- Extraordinary- I use this lens all the time- It’s my go-to lens for my kids- for my life. The wide focal length suits my shooting style- it sings wide open- it does everything I need. If I could only have one lens nothing else would even get a thought.

2. Sigma 50mm f/1.4 HSM - Smooth- Fast- Awesome- When I was shooting a DX camera the Sigma 30mm was far and away my favorite- and I like this one even better. The focus is speedy and accurate- colors are excellent. The 50mm focal length never did much for me on DX but since going full frame I have really started to enjoy it.

3. Nikon 180mm f/2.8 AF - Small- Subtle- Powerful- The funny thing is that I don’t use this lens as much as I probably should- and I never have- but when I do it always just blows me away. For what it offers- it’s an extremely inconspicuous package that doesn’t intimidate or draw attention for candids and street photography.

4. Sigma 12-24mm f4.5-5.6 HSM - New- Interesting- Fun- 12mm is beyond wide on a full frame sensor or film and I am very intrigued by the possibilities this new lens has to offer. This is the only zoom I really use all that much.

5. Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S - Bright- Fast- Smooth- With this lens I say ‘smooth’ in the way it feels. The manual focus gears are so well made it just feels good in your hand. If you have ever judged manual focus by the way it feels to manually focus an AF lens then you should reconsider.

6. Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.4 - Smooth- Fast- Precise- My only ‘modern’ manual focus lens- this one has a Leica M mount for Rangefinders. Small and exceptionally well constructed- it’s always a pleasure to use, tack sharp wide open and the bokeh is smooth as silk.

7. Nikon 105mm f/2.8 AI-S Micro - Smooth- Deliberate- Manual focusing macro goodness- after having the Nikon 105/2.8, 105/2.8vr and the Sigma 150/2.8 Macro I finally found one that never ever EVER focus hunts. Geared for easy fine tuning- a lot of turning goes a little ways.

8. Nikon 35mm f/1.8 AF-S - Fast- Light as a Feather- This lens is a blast to use on the little D40- what fun!

9. Carl Zeiss 80mm f/2.8 C T* - Nice- Different- Stubborn- A way WAY different animal that belongs to the Hasselblad. The lens contains a leaf shutter and is controlled by linked shutter-speed and aperture dials all on the lens barrel. We are still getting acquainted but my appreciation is growing.

10. Zuiko 28mm f/2.8 & 50mm f/1.8 - Small- Compact- A couple fun lenses I picked up cheap to go with my OM-1 that I like the feel of- they have me thinking about a Zuiko 55mm f1.2

11. Nikon 20mm f/2.8 AF - Small- Wide- This was my wide angle before I got the Sigma. I think it still has a place in the lineup especially considering how small it is. A lot of fun and wide enough to pretty much shoot from the hip if you stop it down a few notches.

12. Nikon 18-200mm AF-S VR - This lens is great for taking in the canoe or kayak because it is so light weight for what it does on DX and while I would not want to drop it in the river- well- better that setup than some other things.

 

[spinetnglr]

Nice thread idea Code- Here's my take.

1. Nikon 28mm f/1.4 AF - Wide- Fast- Extraordinary- I use this lens all the time- It’s my go-to lens for my kids- for my life. The wide focal length suits my shooting style- it sings wide open- it does everything I need. If I could only have one lens nothing else would even get a thought.

3. Nikon 180mm f/2.8 AF - Small- Subtle- Powerful- The funny thing is that I don’t use this lens as much as I probably should- and I never have- but when I do it always just blows me away. For what it offers- it’s an extremely inconspicuous package that doesn’t intimidate or draw attention for candids and street photography.

7. Nikon 105mm f/2.8 AI-S Micro - Smooth- Deliberate- Manual focusing macro goodness- after having the Nikon 105/2.8, 105/2.8vr and the Sigma 150/2.8 Macro I finally found one that never ever EVER focus hunts. Geared for easy fine tuning- a lot of turning goes a little ways.

8. Nikon 35mm f/1.8 AF-S - Fast- Light as a Feather- This lens is a blast to use on the little D40- what fun!

Jeff .. I was hoping you would weigh in on this thread.

1. I am finding that I am starting to really like shooting more wide than tele. Ever since I have seen some of your shots and have read up this lens its been a dream to own one though I doubt it will ever happen for me because of the cost. I love what you do with this lens.

3. & 7. Thanks for your input on these ... when it comes time for me to consider another lens I think it will probably be a medium prime.

8. I just acquired this lens in September and havent tried it on the D40 ... Thank you for this input .. I am going to Atlantic City NJ tomorrow for a real quick trip to celebrate birthdays with two friends by doing a little casino time. I may have a few hours early in the day to get out and shoot a few shots and am now considering travelling really light with only the D40 and 35mm.

 

[kevrab]

1. Nikon 70-200 f2.8---just a great lens. Built like a tank
2. Nikon 300mm f/4---I've had this lens for 12 years. Great for sports. Sharp as a tack.
3. Nikon 60mm macro cause I love macro photography
4. Nikon 85mm f1.8---nice portrait lens and ideal basketball action lens
5. Nikon 16mm fisheye---great glass
6. Nikon 20-35mm lens--I love this lens but it's so old it's dying a slow death. Losing sharpness and contrast. Like losing an old friend
7. Sigma 17-35mm f2.8-4---decent lens, gets real noisy in low light conditions though

 

[zackiedawg]

Tough call for me...here's the best I can do (all with a Sony A300 currently, likely with a Sony A550 in the near future):

1. Sony SAL 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 - Mainly because it's my default lens, go-to lens, walkaround lens, vacation lens, and all purpose swiss-army knife lens. Solid, great color, reliable, and sharp...never lets me down.

2 (tie) - Sigma 30mm F1.4 - Sharp as a tack, great bokeh, plenty fast...just what I needed. Having worked in backwards, starting with a 50mm F1.7 and moving to the 30mm F1.4, I'd have to say I DO prefer the 30mm focal length on APS-C to the 50mm - It gives me wide enough perspective at the 45mm crop to get most things in the shot I need, and I can always manually zoom with my feet if I want it closer. The 50mm is sharp and lovely, but you can only go so far back sometimes, and it just doesn't feel wide enough to me.

2 (tie) - Tamron 200-500mm F5-6.3 - My birding and wildlife lens - gets a ton of use, always reliable, great color, great detail and sharpness at all apertures, and quite sharp and usable at 500mm.

4. - Tamron 10-24mm F3.5-4.5 - newest addition, and loads of fun. Center sharpness excellent, all around sharpness stopped down, excellent distortion control, no flare, good color, good contrast, and just totally fun with the weird UWA perspectives and shooting technique required. The only reason it isn't ranked higher is because I specifically bought it as a specialty lens, and it doesn't get used as often as the others ahead of it. When it does get used, I love it.

5. Minolta 50mm F1.7 - Good, sharp, fast lens. Just doesn't get much use anymore since I bought the Sigma 30, which is a little faster and a lot wider, and much more useful. Though the 50mm paired with my ND400 filter will still get some use, because I'm not going out and buying another ND400 at the Sigma's filter size!!

6. Sony 18-70mm kit lens - I know nothing at all about it. Never came out of its box! My camera came with the kit lens (not sold body-only), but I also purchased the 18-250 and Tamron 200-500 at the same time. The 18-250 went right on the camera out of the box, and the kit lens is 100% unused in original packaging in my closet. I'm hanging onto it because when I sell my A300 body, I can pair it with a perfect kit lens for the next buyer.