It’s time to open up your favorite photo gear catalog and pick a page! My question to you is this: If you could only have one lens for the rest of your days, what would it be and why?
The reason I ask is because the bittersweet decision says a lot about a photographer and their style. When I’ve asked other photographers it’s helped me to understand more about them and the art of photography. For instance, those that want a simple 50mm lens tended to be more practical and versatile in their approach. While others hooked on wildlife photography long for a coveted 600mm unit of the finest quality. Other’s still insist on a wide angle zoom or telephoto zoom. I’ve also found that it forced those I asked into truthfully evaluating what was important to them. What type of photography was paramount in their mind if they were faced with such a choice.
Sure, it’s hypothetical. But exercises like this, I feel, help stop my quest for the next-best-thing and really simplify. What is the minimum I need to enjoy photography. The rules are simple for this mental drill.
- Price is no object. The sky’s the limit and this includes telescopes on the top of Mauna Kea. 🙂 It can also be a lens you already own.
- Please specify a particular lens. Yes, I know there will be new lenses in the future, but let’s just deal with what’s available today.
- Most importantly, let us know why you chose the lens you did.
For me, it’d be a Canon 28-300mm L. I already own this lens and it has been a super lens to use while traveling. While I can nit-pick about what needs improving, all in all, it has been a solid performer once I’ve learned its limits. And I admittedly love zoom lenses when I don’t have space to pack multiple prime lenses.
Your turn! Use the comments below to let us know which lens you’d pick and why.
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