I have one lens that when I put the camera on a tripod and take time to get things right, always amazes me with the results, compared to all my other lenses. It just has a look that none of my other lenses have.
I am talking about my Nikon 24PC lens, now sadly discontinued.
What is your favourite lens and why?
My favourite lens is the one that is attached permanently to my Leica Q3. It is 28mm and f/1.7. Because the Q3 has a 60MP sensor, I can crop the images — quite drastically. It is the same lens that Daneland uses, though he mostly uses it minimally cropped. Although amazingly ersatile, this lens still requires me to take care where I stand for the shot I want.
I am quite happy not to be carrying around multiple lenses, though there are occasions when a longer, or shorter focal length with the Canon R6 is more appropriate. Of those that I have for that camera, my favourite is the RF24-240 mm, but I am also very fond of using the uncropped RF16mm, and often go out with it alone.
The lens that I almost never use is the RF50mm.
David
Like David the RF 24-240 is one of my favorite lenses.
The perfect walkaround (*) when you want to travel light and want some reach😎
(*) for Canon R serie users 😁
My Nikon 28-400 comes a close second, as it replaces a bag full of lenses, and the image quality is no slouch.
The RF24-240 is amazingly cheaply priced (€1000 RRP, and often discounted by 20%) and the image quality is excellent.
David
My favorite lens is the Tamron 35-150 / 2.8-4 VC due to it's versatility, and the image quality is more than acceptable:
pbase.com/joemama/image/173379729/original.jpg
That said, it's AF, while excellent (albeit not the fastest) on my 6D2, but not so great on my R. Ironically, while I did mount it on my R5, I never really tried it out more than a few test shots. Even more ironically, I just ordered an RF 24-105 / 4L IS to use on my R5 to replace my favorite lens! Crazy, right? Well, I do gain a bit on the wide end, which, I admit, is pretty useful, but I do lose a bit more on the long end, which I use quite a bit, so a net minus, there. I also lose a bit of speed (a full stop at 35mm, to the same at 105mm). What I gain is a smaller and lighter lens with superior image stabilization (probably 2-3 stops more when paired with my R5).
My plan was to get a Z7.2 or A7.4 with the Tamron 35-150 / 2-2.8. However, that combo is really expensive for a one-shot purchase (I only own Canon), and neither of those cameras represent a "last camera" (whereas the R5 does -- not that there won't be better, but it's past my "good enough" point) and it's a bit larger and heavier than what I typically carry (not by much, though, but smaller and lighter is appealing, despite the drawbacks). So, I'm going to wait at least another year to go that route for the following reasons: 1) Lower price, 2) Maybe Nikon and/or Sony will release a "last camera" in the interim, and 3) Maybe Canon will stop being a++++++s and let Tamron make that lens for RF mount for me to use on my R5.
But we'll see how the RF 24-105 / 4L IS works out as a workhorse lens to replace the Tamron 35-150 / 2.8-4 VC. I'm hoping it's a wash, but, when used in combination with another body and my other lenses, comes out ahead. I mean, duh -- why pay money for something if you don't think it will put you ahead of what you already have? It's just that I was thinking I should have bitten the bullet and gone with the A7.4 + 35-150 / 2-2.8. But never having used Sony, I'm hesitant to roll those dice for that kind of money, especially not knowing how the AF, size, weight, and balance will be as a primary "workhorse" setup, always wondering if the Z7.2 would have been the better choice in the end, and knowing that as soon as I do it, Canon will let Tamron produce the lens for RF mount (seriously, Canon -- WTF?!).
Anyway, here would be my ideal "last" camera/lens setup:
R5 x 3
RF 14-35 / 4L IS (II) -- the current version is a bit soft at 35mm and has a bit much CA
RF 35-150 / 2-2.8
RF 120-300 / 2.8-4
RF 35 / 1.2
RF 70 / 1.4
The last three lenses in the above list will likely be made by Sigma, and, of course, only matter IF CANON LETS THIRD PARTY MAKE RF LENSES!!! As for an RF 14-35 / 4L IS II, yes, it will be made, but likely not for several years. Maybe the same time Canon let's third party make RF lenses (for FF). Oh, if you can't tell, I'm a bit disappointed with Canon's "Apple wannabe" attitude with respect to licensing out the RF mount.
Mine is the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 SA mount zoom, mainly for it's constant f/2.8 throughout the zoom range and it's match to my 1.7 crop Sigma camera.
I also have a few M42 screw-mount lenses, the best of which is the Asahi Lens Co./Pentax "Takumar" SMC 24mm.
Those old Pentax screw mount lenses were indestructible.
