On 17/8/06, Keith E., discombobulated, unleashed: >Everything was peaceful in Tiny Town, until Cotty
Be afraid. Be very afraid! >You said in your earlier post your 'one lens' is a 24-70 zoom, >correct? When you only have that one lens, where do you find >yourself using it most often? If it's on 24mm most of the time, >get the 24mm prime. If it spends more time zoomed, you'll >probably prefer the 35mm. The choice really comes down to one >thing - how do _you_ see? Gosh. Lots of questions. Each one then: >You said in your earlier post your 'one lens' is a 24-70 zoom, >correct? Urr, sort of. Actually I wanted recommendations for a 'one lens', and I mentioned what I use now. Viz: ---------original post------------ Hello fellow EOSers, Here's a question to get the list going: What single lens would be your recommendation for a 'If I Could Only Take One Lens With Me' scenario? I have a 1DII and the following: 15mm Pentax 3.5 EF 24-70 2.8L EF 65 MP-E 85mm Pentax 1.4 EF 70-200 2.8L IS 2X converter (yes the Pentax lenses have been adapted and work in M and Av, stop-down metering, for cost and sentimental reasons) My usual single lens for the 'If I Could Only Take One Lens With Me' scenario is the EF24-70 and it's pretty good. However, I miss the respect a prime lens commands, and yearn for something special. I had the EF20 2.8 for a while, but I didn't get on with it at all. An important factor for me is the build quality - not to mention the glass quality! I was not impressed by either in the EF20, and sold it. Canon L lenses are well built (optically and physically), and so are the old metal Pentax lenses (hence why I use some adapted to EOS) - what single lens (preferably a prime) would you recommend that might fit the bill? I would prefer something wide - not as wide as the 15mm, but not longer than (say) 50mm. It could be EF, or it might be something else (adaptable). It could be used for street work, or maybe ad hoc groups and parties. It must be fast (2.8 is too slow), and it must have a decent manual focus feel. Most important of all, it must instil confidence - it must give the photographer a real warm feeling when shooting with it, something almost indescribable. You'd know it if you experienced it. Any offers? -----------end original post------------ I think the key points are in the last para.... And next: >When you only have that one lens, where do you find >yourself using it most often? If it's on 24mm most of the time, >get the 24mm prime. If it spends more time zoomed, you'll >probably prefer the 35mm. Ack. Good point. 24 seems to spring to mind, but then so does 70mm. Not much help. And finally: >The choice really comes down to one >thing - how do _you_ see? Excellent question. If only I knew the answer... I think what I'm trying to find out is - what exactly gets *your* enthusiasm going when it comes to a lens. Daft question - maybe. Everyone has their favourite, even if it's a lens long since shelved from a system far far away (cue John Williams). It's something difficult to describe. With me, it is most definitely the Pentax SMC A*85mm f/1.4 and I will be buried with it. It is all the things one might want from a manual focus lens, a classic. That I have spent time and money adapting it to EOS says something. The pure enjoyment of photographing with it is intense, it makes the blood race. It is an emotional thing, as photography should be - from the heart - instead of surrounded by numbers and formulae. There's no denying the numbers, they are there and an intrinsic part, but there's no denying the emotion as well. And so, having switched a few years ago to Canon, I want to find a modern - and wider - lens that will give me that je ne sais quoi. That emotion and intense satisfaction to use. After all, the lens is the most important part of the process no? The best camera in the world is only hiding without the best lens to see with. Sorry for the diatribe. Wine + midlife crisis and all that. It's either a decent lens or a Harley, I dunno ;-) What I am asking is: -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=====| http://www.cottysnaps.com _____________________________ * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
