If you could have only 1 prime(or zoom) lens? Which?

Prime:

35mm/1.7

50mm/1.5

Only one? Okay. My choice would be the Canon 70-200 <i>f</i>/2.8L IS lens.<p>

 

Why? Several reasons.<p>1. I shoot Canon exclusively, except for large format.<br>2. I'm primarily a portrait photographer, and this lens gives me a good choice of focal lengths for portraits.<br>3. Fast focusing and great in low light and at slow shutter speeds.<br>4. Stops down to <i>f</i>/22 if needed.<p>Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

I'd have a 5d and a 40d and a 24-70 f/2.8 L.

On a 5D, I'm with Jim as far as zooms go, the 70-200 f/2.8L IS. I shoot primarily travel/landscape and I already use it more than the 16-35 and 24-70 combined. If I had to choose a prime, It would likely be in either the 100mm macro or the 135mm 2.0. Why? because that is the focal length at which I "see". -jeffl

I rarely use a 1.6 crop, so my choices are for full-frame:

 

Prime: 24mm 1.4

 

Zoom: 17-40

Well, I love my canon 100macro and use it 99% of the time, yes, and even on my canon 1.6 factor lens, it is very versatile, and I do so much macro work of flowers, insects, etc., but find it very useful also for portraits and many other shots. If I have to back up too much I'll put on my 50 1.8 and if I want to get closer my 70-200 f4, but I almost always have the 100 on my camera and use it most of the time. If I were only having one lens, that would be it.

Not too easy..... but my 300 2.8 and 70-200 2.8.......SIGMA....... never let me down.

Sigma 30 1.4 on 400D. Love it...

 

Zoom - Tammy 17-50 2.8...

Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR. Tack sharp and lightning fast when you put it on a D3.

...but I think the 200mm f2.8 prime is often over looked - especially if you have a 24-70. Very nice lens and so light and compact - yet with a good reach.

either 35mm/1.4 or 16-35mm/2.8.

For Prime----Canon 50 f/1.4

solid built, very fast, very sparp

just got it a few months ago---LUV it!

Id use a 35-70/2.8 for my zoom, and my prime prob a 50/1.8

I really like my 24/70 2.8 it never fails to get me a picture that I can use. my 200-2.8 L has the limitations of a prime and the joys as well.

I'm so surprised by the number of votes for the 24-105 f/4 L. Only because if you read the numberless posts regarding 24-105 f/4 L vs. 24-70 f/2.8 L the majority of the votes are for the 24-70. I own the 24-70 f/2.8 L and have used the 24-105 f/4 L on many occasions and I prefer the 24-70. Even on a 1.6 crop.

 

If I had to have only one prime, it would be my 50mm f/1.4.

Nikon 80-200 f2.8 it just does what I want.

Maybe it's just because its my newest piece, but I absolutely LOVE my nikkor 18-200/

3.5-5.6 VR. It blows everything else I've used out of the water, mainly because I shoot

landscapes and nature from my kayak and the broad range of the zoom means no

time lost to changing lenses and a more pleasurable time on the water. However, the

most pleasurable time is when I get home and see that the VR froze a bald eagle in

flight - tack sharp! Love it!

50mm 1.4.

 

Seems to have worked for Cartier-Bresson. :-)

85mm prime 1:1.8

 

or

 

10-20mm zoom

hmm... I would have to say

 

1.6: 17-40mm f/4 zoom, sigma 30mm f/1.4 prime.

 

FF/Film: 24-105 f/4 zoom, 50mm prime... though I enjoyed using my 28mm f/2.8 today.

Not having any worthwhile zooms, I'd be happy enough with a 20mm on my old T-90. If free to choose any lens, a 20~35mmL would be it.

 

Similarly, my 40mm Zenzanon is the lens of choice for my 6x6 box.

 

-Moo

Ooops! EOS forum. DOH! :)

CANON 24-105 f/4.0L IS

Prime: 35L.

Zoom: 24-105L

IMHO, the best lens ever made for landscapes is the Nikon 17-35 AFS 2.8.

 

A true legend.