One lens under 2k?

Splinters

As the title suggests, if you could have any lens at all under 2k what would you go for? Im going to be making a new purchase in a few months and my head is spinning with different options.

Obviously I know peoples answers will depend on what they shoot, their needs etc but Im just trying to keep this as open as possible. I suppose its similar to the age old desert island gear question but with a specific upper price limit.

So what lens? And Why?

Splinters

By the way it can be one you already own.

Haha sorry Im probably not making this very clear. Essentially what would be your favourite lens for under 2k and why?

mloc

My Nikon 24-70 2.8 AF-S.

Effects

Canon 85mm 1.2L

pixbyjohn

My Nikon 24-70 f2.8 its my most used lens for walkaround, landscapes and portraits.

I have a 10-20, 105 f2.8 VR Macro, 70-200 F2.8 VR but the 24-70 is on one of my D700 cameras 100% of the time.

magicbastarder

is it a 'if you could only use one lens what would it be (budget 2k)?' or 'if i handed you 2k, what lens would you buy to add to your system?'

if the former, 35mm f1.4.

DaireQuinlan

Helios 44-2. Best thing is it'd only set you back a tenner or so, leaving the other €1990 to get a ticket to somewhere completely cool and take tons of shots

cnocbui

My Zuiko 180mm f2

Because it's awesome.

magicbastarder

actually, my OM zuiko 90mm f2 macro takes some beating.

gloobag

Canon 85mm f1.2. It's served me very well for the year or so that I've owned it

85 1.2 seems like a fairly specialist lens. I'd imagine if you had that focal length and relatively slow to focus lens on your camera 24/7 you'd get frustrated rather quickly? (unless you're a portrait photographer with oodles of space at your disposal?).


I'd go with the Canon 24-105 IS L. Has been a perfect all-rounder for me and has yet to let me down. IS is hugely beneficial in my opinion and the lens allows you to do all sorts of different bits and bobs comfortably enough without sacrificing much on the image quality side of things.

pullandbang

16-35 f2.8 L (Canon) especially if you marry it to a full frame.

Promac

pullandbang wrote: »

16-35 f2.8 L (Canon) especially if you marry it to a full frame.

I'd be the same. Found a 2nd hand 20-35 recently and its a lovely range on a full frame. I had the 16-35 and a 24-70 on loan one day and much preferred the wider range.

Splinters

Cheers folks, some very interesting suggestions. The 85 1.2 L is one of the potentials I had in mind so reassuring to see it being mentioned. Id imagine its quite specific in its uses but people who own it seem to really sing its praises.

gloobag

Splinters wrote: »

Cheers folks, some very interesting suggestions. The 85 1.2 L is one of the potentials I had in mind so reassuring to see it being mentioned. Id imagine its quite specific in its uses but people who own it seem to really sing its praises.

It is very specific in its uses, but what it does, it does very well. If you're shooting natural light portraits and staying in between the f1.2 to f2.0 range, it's probably the best out there.

Splinters

Sounds like something Id have great use for alright, just have to wait a few months now to get it

jcf

The Canon 85mm f1.2 L or 135mm f2 L

Splinters

Im liking these continous mentions of the 85 1.2. I was doing a few sums there and I think I might be able to stretch for a second new lens too, possibly the 16-35 but I wont get my hopes up quite yet. Does anyone know if Conns rent out the 85 1.2?

gloobag

Splinters wrote: »

Im liking these continous mentions of the 85 1.2. I was doing a few sums there and I think I might be able to stretch for a second new lens too, possibly the 16-35 but I wont get my hopes up quite yet. Does anyone know if Conns rent out the 85 1.2?

I would imagine they do if they have it in stock.

I'd also highly recommend the the 135mm f2. One of Canon cheapest L lenses but also one of the best imo. Super sharp and lighting fast AF.

The 35mm f1.4 is also particularly excellent.

To be honest though, any of the L series primes will probably blow you away if you try them out. I own 5 of them and I'd struggle to say which is the best. They're all excellent for different reasons (although the 85mm f1.2 will always have a special place in my heart for some reason ).

I don't think I could ever go back to a zoom lens after changing to an all prime setup at the start of the year. I love my wide apertures way too much.

Are you using a full frame or a crop sensor?

Splinters

Crop at the moment but Im taking out a decent size loan in the summer to do a big gear upgrade when Im in the states. Going to go for the 5D mkIII and at least 1, but hopefully 2 L primes. I have the 70-200 L IS at the moment which was my first venture into L glass and I must say I love it. Ive heard it a few times that the L primes are considerably sharper again so I cant wait to give them a try.

The Snipe

I love my 200mm 2.8 L Its amazing as is the 16-35 2.8. I'd love to try the 85mm 1.2