What is your favorite lens?

<p>What’s your favorite lens? And why? Let me be more specific. I know most of us do a variety of types of photography, and we favor different lenses for different purposes. But, I’m talking about a lens you really enjoy using and appreciating the results you get from that lens, for whatever purpose. What is it about that lens that makes it your favorite? All those years I shot 35mm film, I used a 24mm f 2.8 pre Ai Nikkor for everything except portraits, and I used the 105 pre Ai Sonnar f2.5 for portraits. The only time I use the 50mm f 1.4 that came with my first Nikon Ftn camera was in low light situations doing non-flash candids/documentary stuff. Now, with digital, I have to confess I only have two modern lenses: the original 18-70 that came with my D70, and the 18-105 that came with my D7100. I like the 18-105 for indoor natural light candids because it is very sharp wide open and all focal lengths, and it has VR. For everything else though, I still really like the 18-70, so I guess it would be my favorite lens. Mine is sharp wide open at all focal lengths, and it is sharp enough on the edges stopped down a bit, for landscapes. The 18-105 being not as sharp at the edges. Both lenses are good for portraits wide open and throw the background out of focus nicely when shooting wide open at 70-105mm. At this point I haven’t felt the need to get an expensive f 2.8 zoom lens. If I was a pro, I probably would though. Most of my camera use is doing portraits in a documentary style using natural light and environments, or landscapes when I’m out in the woods. I do use a 50mm AF sometimes for portraits at f 2-2.8. I have several manual AiS lenses just for specific purposes.</p>

<p>The 35. I always gravitated to f=35mm when using wide angle zooms. It matches my visual view , so my basic FX DSLR kit has the 35/1.4.</p>

<p>This is a bit like asking a plumber which is their favourite wrench.</p>

<p>When I started out I couldn't afford expensive glass, but happened to come across a Zeiss Jena S 75mm f/1.5 lens exceedingly cheap and in great condition. To be honest it was pretty poor wide open, but sharpened up a lot on stopping down. It quickly became my favourite lens simply because I liked its angle-of-view. But then I only had two other lenses, and one of those was a 58mm "standard" that came with the camera.</p>

<p>Now I have a collection of lenses that cover about every photographic eventuality I'm likely to encounter - and I no longer have a favourite among them. Although the lens I use most is the neat little 28-75 f/2.8 Tamron SP zoom, because it's compact, light, flare resistant and pretty darned sharp. I still wouldn't call it my favourite lens, just the most convenient and versatile. And I admire the fact that Tamron's designers resisted the temptation to make an impressive-looking but average-performing lens and squeezed high performance into a small and lightweight barrel. Sigma would do well to take a leaf out of Tamron's book - 82mm filter diameter as standard indeed!</p>

<p>Besides, modern lenses don't have any intrinsic attractiveness or character. They're just lumps of similar-looking plastic, metal and glass that do a job, and in most cases do it efficiently and effectively.</p>

<p>I've got too much lenses, but I like them all for their own specific reasons - I feel each one brings something to the table. Absolute favourite.... I'd say it's the 35mm f/1.4 AiS. It's got a myriad of optical flaws at its wider apertures, it's ho-hum at f/2.8 and then suddenly at f/4 and 5.6 it does get fabulously sharp. And starts degrading already at f/8 - so it has very narrow bands in which it delivers two distinct different characters. I love the flawed optics wide open, it's atmospheric and moody. Yes, the modern AF equivalents are technically and theoretically loads better than this lens. But they just lack character and this lens has too much of that. It's more likely I get a second one than that I'd sell it.<br>

<br /> Runner up: 105mm f/2.5 (I've got the later design) - a classic for all the right reasons. Small, affordable and amazing performance. It keeps me from wanting a 85 f/1.4, and my bankaccount doesn't mind that.</p>

<p>It also happens to be a pairing of primes which I can work with really well without missing other focal lengths too much. Got a 35mm and 90mm pair for another system, and find that it's just a pairing that suits me really well, at least in daylight.</p>

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<p>I have a collection of lenses that cover about every photographic eventuality I'm likely to encounter - and I no longer have a favourite among them.</p>

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<p>Same here - the one that's on the camera that gets the job done is the current favorite. Looking through the bag of lenses that I actually use (as opposed to the few that are sitting on the shelf), the one that has been with me the longest is the AF-S 300/4 that has been with me for a little over 9 years now - all the other ones have been acquired much more recently. And the oldest one in the bag is a Leica-M Summicron 90/2 that was purchased 27 years ago. Only my 105/2.5 Ai that - sadly - spends most of the time on the shelf nowadays is "older" and has been with me longer: more than 35 years.</p>

<p>With my d810 my favorite is the Nikkor 105 2.8 VR Macro. Great lens.</p>

<p>-O</p>

<p>I have a D300 with a Nikkor 70 - 200 f/2.8, a Nikkor 17 - 55 f/2.8, a Tokina 11 - 16 f/2.8, and a Sigma 30 f/1.4. The 17 - 55 is my hands-down favorite. Good quality. Good range. Good low light capabilities.</p>

<p>Back in my film days with my FE, my go-to lens was a Nikkor 50 f/1.2. I'm big into available light.</p>

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<p>"What is your favorite lens?"</p>

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<p>On a 35mm film camera, the 35mm f/2 Nikkor was my favorite until I replaced it with the 35mm f/1.4 shown mounted on a Nikon F2 in the attached image. The 35mm f/1.4 is now my favorite because I can use it to capture the majority of the images I need when shooting general subjects.<br>

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<p>Assuming you mean lens used on a Nikon, definitely it's the 24mm PC-E. It does things my other lenses can't! My favorite lens of all I own is my Ross Petzval, made in 1845. (Use it on 4x5.)</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p><div></div>

<p>In the Nikon line, a Nikkor 50/2 H.C converted to AI. I formerly used it on a D200 before I gave that camera to my grandson, and now I use it on a Fuji X-T1. I use the Metabones Speed Booster which, with the usual 1.5 multiplier for an APS-C camera, gives the lens the field of view of a normal 50mm lens on full frame with the added advantage of an extra stop of light for focusing.. Why do I like the lens so much? It's hard to say - I just seem to prefer the pictures that I take with it to those taken with my other lenses. It's probably a combination of a number of lens characteristics that I find pleasing. Plus, I like manual focus, and the split image focusing with the Metabones and the f/1.4 make manual focusing extremely easy.</p>

<p>Sigma's 35/1.4 camps out on my FX body. Really like that lens. The backup DX body is usually sporting the Nikon 17-55/2.8. </p>

<p>As Rodeo Joe says, this is a bit like asking your favorite wrench. You may have one you love the most, but if it is a British Whitworth your grandfather carried on his motorcycle, or the worn down 12 millimeter wrench that came with your first Peugeot, it may not get much use.</p>

<p>In the "completely irrational" category, one of my top candidates is a beat up old pre-AI 28/3.5. One of my least favorite lengths and a lackluster performer on film, which I bought some years ago simply because it was too cheap to pass up. On DX digital it is lovely, though if you asked me specifically why I couldn't explain it. </p>

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<p>Again, Like Rodeo Joe says....Well, this changes allot for me. I have way to many lenses and bodies as well. Of late I have been using three bodies and all three have a lens married to them for the time being.<br>

My D7100 has my Tokina 12-24 F/4, D7200 Sigma 30F/1.4 Art, D750 has my Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED. These are perfect for my type of photography. Truly I am enjoying my UWA lenses right now. Next week, who knows. </p>

<p>As I was suspecting, there are lenses that "do the job" and there are lenses that people like because they have "character." I've often compared lenses to the brushes a painter might use. Each one has a certain character and utility. Certain situations do best with certain lenses in the hands of their owner. Its not a matter of which one is ultimately better, but which one fits my needs for this particular purpose.</p>

<p>It depends on what system I'm using. All time favorite would probably be the 70-200mm f4L, razor sharp, fast focus, best beauty photos I've ever taken were with that lens (plus the cheap price doesn't hurt ;) )<br>

<br />On Nikon I'd have to go with my newest acquisition and say the Tamron 35mm 1.8. This thing is ridiculously sharp, and the focus speed isn't too shabby either. Close 2nd would be the 85mm 1.4D (never got to use the G, I imagine it's even better)</p>

<p>My favorite lens is my AF-S 17-35mm / 2.8.<br>

It brings the landscapes that I hold dear into my living spaces when I have prints made. I have printed more photos taken with this lens than any other. It makes quality images and has great sentimental value for me. I have resisted the 14-24 for years and years as the 17-35mm still does everything I want.</p>

<p>Too many favourite lenses. Specially with Nikon I don`t have a favourite one... my most used ones are the 1.4 standards.</p>

<p>Nikon makes such good lenses without giving a focal length it's hard to pick one. However, one that always delivers great results on film or digital is the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 AI-s. One of my favorite lenses made by anybody. </p>

<p>Lately I have been reaching in the bag for my 50mm Nikkor f/1.2 AI to use with my D7000.<br>

I love the sharpness and crisp shots I get with it especially in low light. </p>

<p>Since I favor wide angles, my favorite is the 28mm and is my first choice for a walk around lens. My second favorite is the 20mm. Third is a 90-105mm for street photography.</p>

<p>I mentioned earlier that the 105 2.8 VR Nikkor was my favorite. That comment was in reference to my d810 camera. With my d7100, the 17-55 2.8 Nikkor by a mile.</p>

<p>-O</p>

<p>Before buying a new FM in 1979, I used my father's Canon rangefinder, usually with a 35mm (non-Canon) f/2.8. Along with a Vivitar 283, which covers 35mm, my favorite for indoor and outdoor.</p>

<p>So, I bought my FM with the AI 35/2.0, the only lens I had for it for some years.</p>

<p>Some years later, I bought a used AI 35-70, which was often set for 35. For low light situations, I would still use the 35/2.0. Even though I don't use it as much now, I still have to say that the 35/2.0 is my favorite. (If I could have afforded the 35/1.4, that might have been the one.)</p>

<p>Thanks for all your responses! Not surprising that most of you favor the pro-level lenses as their most used/favorites, such as the f 2.8 wide angle zooms and the f 1.2 or 1.4 primes (older and newer). </p>

<p>Like most of you my favourite lenses are the ones I consider most appropriate for the task at hand, that said I know that I almost yearn to find a good excuse/reason to drag out the Lensbaby edge 80 and 50 double optic (sadly happens quite rarely). Similarly my little Voigtlander 58/1.4 Nokton.</p>

<p>Least favourite Nikon lens 50/1.8 G</p>

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<p>Thanks for all your responses! Not surprising that most of you favor the pro-level lenses as their most used/favorites, such as the f 2.8 wide angle zooms and the f 1.2 or 1.4 primes (older and newer).</p>

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<p>Yes, it is fascinating to read of peoples favorite lenses. This past week I have been shooting my Pentax ME SUPER with my favorite Film lens. The SMC 28 F/2.8. Pretty much the only focal length I use for film. </p>