Favourite lens

[kenoh]

OK guys, question time just for fun and maybe for GAS supression on my part...

They say the lens is the heart of the camera, so leading with heart over mind, what is your favourite lens and why with pictoral examples.....

 

[Hughmac]

GAS suppression - this'll just make you want to buy more

OK, my favourite of the moment (you know favs change from one purchase to the next), is a manual focus Samyang 12mm f/2, because I have learnt to photograph better landscapes with it and immensely enjoyed the experience.



Allhallows Radar Station by Hugh Russell, on Flickr

My 2nd favourite is the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 10.4-37.1mm f/1.8-4.9 which is mounted on a Sony RX100, and which a very kind gentleman on this forum introduced me to



Winter Foliage by Hugh Russell, on Flickr

Of course, I have to mention the old SMC Takumar 55mm f/1.8 manual lens that has given me such good bokeh fun...



Thistle (Explored) by Hugh Russell, on Flickr

Sorry, I think I've gone overboard on this one

Cheers

Hugh

 

[kenoh]

GAS suppression - this'll just make you want to buy more

OK, my favourite of the moment (you know favs change from one purchase to the next), is a manual focus Samyang 12mm f/2, because I have learnt to photograph better landscapes with it and immensely enjoyed the experience.



Allhallows Radar Station by Hugh Russell, on Flickr

My 2nd favourite is the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 10.4-37.1mm f/1.8-4.9 which is mounted on a Sony RX100, and which a very kind gentleman on this forum introduced me to



Winter Foliage by Hugh Russell, on Flickr

Of course, I have to mention the old SMC Takumar 55mm f/1.8 manual lens that has given me such good bokeh fun...



Thistle (Explored) by Hugh Russell, on Flickr

Sorry, I think I've gone overboard on this one

Cheers

Hugh

That Samyang is well tasty! Which one is that?

The lens on the Sony is fantastic isnt it. You should poke the person who introduced you to that in the eye. They may have set you on a course to GAS...

 

[Hughmac]

That Samyang is well tasty! Which one is that?

The lens on the Sony is fantastic isnt it. You should poke the person who introduced you to that in the eye. They may have set you on a course to GAS...

This Samyang e mount lens, exactly the same as the Rokinon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samyang-F2-0-Manual-Focus-Sony/dp/B00MTXXSAK - I bought it new (not on Amazon) for about £200.
Each lens described has an example posted underneath.

Should I ever run into my benefactor I will shake them by the hand and thank them personally; I do not admit to having a GAS problem.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[tcphoto1]

My Canon Canon 100/2.8 IS Macro pays the bills.

 

[kenoh]

This Samyang e mount lens, exactly the same as the Rokinon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samyang-F2-0-Manual-Focus-Sony/dp/B00MTXXSAK - I bought it new (not on Amazon) for about £200.
Each lens described has an example posted underneath.

Should I ever run into my benefactor I will shake them by the hand and thank them personally; I do not admit to having a GAS problem.

Cheers

Hugh

GAS is only a problem if you make it a problem....

Cool i am off to look at the Samyang.. see if it offers anything over the 15mm voigt... cool...

 

[The Bad Guy]

Canon 85mm f1.2L USM MkII

 

[kenoh]

View attachment 681981 My Canon Canon 100/2.8 IS Macro pays the bills.

My word that is a fine looking sandwich. Great image. I so need a macros lens longer than 50mm....
[doublepost=1483701961][/doublepost]

Canon 85mm f1.2L USM MkII

View attachment 681988

Lol... if Canon offered a fixed lens 85mm f1.2 camera you would be first in line eh?

You are a master when wielding this glass...

 

[steveash]

Some GAS relief: I once owned a large selection of lenses, assuming that if I were to make a living from photography I would need something for every situation. In fact I found that a good 24-70mm f2.8 on a 35mm camera will do it all. I generally keep a 70-200 f2.8 in the bag but very rarely use it.

As I become more specialised in car photography, I have found that I could happily live with a 50mm (or equivilant) lens alone. I know it sounds boring but thinking about the shot rather than the gear has helped me grow.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

My (current) favourite is a 35mm Summilux; portable, powerful, incredibly sharp, and absolutely wonderful in low light.

 

[kenoh]

My (current) favourite is a 35mm Summilux; portable, powerful, incredibly sharp, and absolutely wonderful in low light.

Oh yes, I used my 35mm Summilux (pre FLE) last week in Loch Lomond on my Sony as not used it like that for a while and it reminded me how much I love that lens... The 50mm lux is less "emotional"... more clinical.


DSC09183.jpg by Ken OHagan, on Flickr

DSC09185.jpg by Ken OHagan, on Flickr
[doublepost=1483706439][/doublepost]

Some GAS relief: I once owned a large selection of lenses, assuming that if I were to make a living from photography I would need something for every situation. In fact I found that a good 24-70mm f2.8 on a 35mm camera will do it all. I generally keep a 70-200 f2.8 in the bag but very rarely use it.

As I become more specialised in car photography, I have found that I could happily live with a 50mm (or equivilant) lens alone. I know it sounds boring but thinking about the shot rather than the gear has helped me grow.

Not boring at all... right tool for the job... loving your portfolio BTW...

fantastic pictures!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Yes, I love what you can get into the frame with the 35mm; a wonderful, forgiving lens.

As it happens, I also have the Summilux 50mm and find that I use it a lot less often.

 

[kenoh]

Yes, I love what you can get into the frame with the 35mm; a wonderful, forgiving lens.

As it happens, I also have the Summilux 50mm and find that I use it a lot less often.

I like the 50 focal length. Guess I am a 50 kind of guy... I like the subject separation but the draw on the 35 is so much more appealing. Maybe a pre-asph 50 would be a good idea for me... hmm.... here we go

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I like the 50 focal length. Guess I am a 50 kind of guy... I like the subject separation but the draw on the 35 is so much more appealing. Maybe a pre-asph 50 would be a good idea for me... hmm.... here we go

I would have thought that I would have used the 50mm most of the time - as that is what I had started out with.

Actually, around three to four years ago, an opportunity came up to buy both Summiluxes together, - they were "used" but in truth, virtually 'unused' - almost brand new - and I jumped at it, not knowing when the opportunity would arise again.

And, to my surprise, I have found myself using the 35mm, almost exclusively, even though I carry the 50mm in the camera's case, as well.

I love the quality and size, and low light capabilities of these lenses.

 

[kenoh]

I would have thought that I would have used the 50mm most of t time - that is what I started out with.

Actually, around three to four years ago, an opportunity came up to buy both Summiluxes together, - they were "used" but in truth, virtually 'unused' - almost brand new - and I jumped at it, not knowing when the opportunity would arise again.

And, to my surprise, I have found myself using the 35mm, almost exclusively, even though I carry the 50mm in the camera's case, as well.

I love the quality and size, and low light capabilities of these lenses.

Don't want to stoke anyone elses' GAS fire... but yes they are out of this world arent they?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Don't want to stoke anyone elses' GAS fire... but yes they are out of this world arent they?

Yes, they are, agreed, and I absolutely love them.

My first SLR was a gorgeous Pentax MW Super, a lovely, neat small camera, but - in recent years - I had found the SLRs too massive, bloated, and - frankly - too heavy to lug around.

I wanted something small, solidly made, but of a superb build and optical quality, which could deal with the low light of our northern latitudes. And, the Summiluxes do that exceptionally well.

 

[steveash]

Not boring at all... right tool for the job... loving your portfolio BTW...

fantastic pictures!

Thanks, that's very kind of you. To be honest (the GAS is building up again here) the lenses I like the most are ones I do not currently own and would rarely find use for - the Canon 135mm f2 and Fujiblad HC 100mm f2.2 Both very sharp with beautiful rendering but a little too long
for my needs. Both fine portrait lenses but I'm not much cop when it comes to capturing people.

 

[someoldguy]

For my 5D2 , the 24-105l . Pretty much lives on the camera , does everything well .

For my M9 : Either the Tri Elmar 28-35-50 . Not really a zoom , but somehow 3 focal lengths in one package. Got it used about 10 years back before the prices went insane . Hated it for film , but it's great on the M9 .

OR my circa 1970 35/2 . Had it since ,I guess , around 1980 .

 

[kenoh]

Thanks, that's very kind of you. To be honest (the GAS is building up again here) the lenses I like the most are ones I do not currently own and would rarely find use for - the Canon 135mm f2 and Fujiblad HC 100mm f2.2 Both very sharp with beautiful rendering but a little too long
for my needs. Both fine portrait lenses but I'm not much cop when it comes to capturing people.

lol... you have some great shots of the blonde lady on your 500px page! so you are good with people!
[doublepost=1483713688][/doublepost]

For my 5D2 , the 24-105l . Pretty much lives on the camera , does everything well .

For my M9 : Either the Tri Elmar 28-35-50 . Not really a zoom , but somehow 3 focal lengths in one package. Got it used about 10 years back before the prices went insane . Hated it for film , but it's great on the M9 .

OR my circa 1970 35/2 . Had it since ,I guess , around 1980 .

Oh yes the Leica MATE lens. Nice. Friend of mine got one as a set with a used M240 last month and he is having a ball with it. I told him he should have just got a Summicron and the M240 but he knew best.

Nice leading lines in the 35/2 image.

 

[Cheese&Apple]

The love of my life is a Nikon 500 f/4...somewhere close to the Mrs.

~ Peter

 

[steveash]

lol... you have some great shots of the blonde lady on your 500px page! so you are good with people!

She's a professional model; I just had to press the button!

 

[Hughmac]

GAS is only a problem if you make it a problem....

Cool i am off to look at the Samyang.. see if it offers anything over the 15mm voigt... cool...

I think this one is APSC rated, so maybe not so good for you

Cheers

Hugh

 

[kenoh]

I think this one is APSC rated, so maybe not so good for you

Cheers

Hugh

I could get a new A6000 to put it on...
[doublepost=1483720278][/doublepost]

She's a professional model; I just had to press the button!

You do yourself an injustice sir...

 

[Hughmac]

I could get a new A6000 to put it on...

Up until the RX100, I had plans to save up for a new A6300 for GAS's sake, but I think I'm sated for a while longer.
However, you could buy the Samyang and use it in crop mode - it's very sharp, good colour rendition, f/2 aperture and lightweight. What more could you ask for?

Cheers

Hugh

 

[kenoh]

Up until the RX100, I had plans to save up for a new A6300 for GAS's sake, but I think I'm sated for a while longer.
However, you could buy the Samyang and use it in crop mode - it's very sharp, good colour rendition, f/2 aperture and lightweight. What more could you ask for?

Cheers

Hugh

Good call...