Feel good lenses

[Les McLean]

I'm sure I'm not the only one, and curious to know, do you look on some of your lenses with more affection than others?

For me, I think it's my 135mm f2 lens that feels good when it clicks onto the camera, while a 24-105 F4L lens I had, even though a stellar performer, left me cold.

Similarly, a 50mm f1.4 feels good, while a 120-300 f2.8 is just an efficient workmanlike bit of glass.

It's not down to brand or price, don't really know what it is, or do I need to get out more? :cuckoo::cuckoo:

[trencheel303]

My Sigma 10-20. I'd take it to bed if I could...

[grumpybadger]

I know what you mean Les. For me, it is my 500/4 - its now an old friend and loyal travelling companion.

[AndyWest]

I love my OlympuS Zuiko lenses and the Voigtlander Ultron. Theres probably a register for people like us!! :lol:

[Dman]

I can't seem to fall out of love with my Sigma 30mm. I toyed with the idea of selling it last week but we ended up closer as a result.

1. Kids
2. Sigma 30mm
3. Wife

The 50mm 1.4 is another cracker, if I had a FF camera I think it would be a dangerous relationship.

[Ste Manns]

My Helios 58mm f2, Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm f3.5, and Tamron 35-80 SP. :)

[EdinburghGary]

85mm f1.4 all the way. If I were a lens, I would want to shag it.

[AndyElliott]

85mm f1.4 all the way. If I were a lens, I would want to shag it.

Surely if the lens was a person, you would, if you where a camera, you want to stick it in your flange :thinking:

[AndyElliott]

Mine are my Zuiko 300/2.8 and the 14-35/2... Mmmmm.... Nice....

[Fuuudge]

85mm f1.4 all the way. If I were a lens, I would want to shag it.

http://imgzen.us/images/00302094108550616245.gif



I loved my 35mm f/1.8, really regret selling it.

[smooth]

85 1.2 for me.

I just can't WAIT to get it back. It's a beast - I loose a stone everytime I take it out but it is just awesome. I hope the lens doctor is finished performing surgery on it soon ...

[Andysnap]

Sigma 24-60mm f2.8. I know its only moderately cheap and no longer produced but its sits so well on the camera and in my hand and takes super sharp images that I can't bear to part with it. I was going to sell it last week, even took pics of it to put on here, but couldn't bring myself to let it go.

Andy

[RichardtheSane]

My 300mm F4 is right there.

[Nod]

I like the feel of the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 and the Sigma 12-24. Both balance very nicely on the front of the D700. On the D70, I prefer the Nikkor 70-300 VR. Quite like the feel of the 8mm fisheye on either body too. Can't say any of them give me any sort of even quasi sexual thrill though!

[Canon Bob]

I seem to have a habit of caressing the 85/1.2 before I mount it :love:

Bob

[Livin The Dream]

It's got to be my 135mm 2f too the results wide open are just fantastic it's so dreamy all round. One day i'll get myself an 85mm 1.2 which i know will also be something special. The few times i've handled one it gets the lens lust working over time.

[davetucker]

Like EdinburghGary, I have an unhealthy attraction towards my Nikon 85mm 1.4, but hey thing get worse when I bring out my new Nikon 24-70mm f2.8, well you know:naughty:

[Spiritflier]

I don't really have a 'special' lens although I'd be loathed to part with my 24-105mm. I would however, be very reluctant to part with my old 40D. I shot my first 'proper' wedding with it and it's been so reliable and never given me a reason to doubt what I'm doing. It looks as good as the day I got it and I sometimes feel guilty for relegating it to 'second camera status'. :)

Cheers,
Si

[smooth]

I seem to have a habit of caressing the 85/1.2 before I mount it :love:

Bob

:lol: can I come and caress yours while mine is at the doctors?

[orac]

Another vote for the 85mm 1.2
Nothing else comes close.

[Les McLean]

85 1.2 for me.

I just can't WAIT to get it back. It's a beast - I loose a stone everytime I take it out but it is just awesome. I hope the lens doctor is finished performing surgery on it soon ...

I seem to have a habit of caressing the 85/1.2 before I mount it :love:

Bob

Might have known this thread would degenerate very quickly :)

I somehow don't have the same feel for my 85 f1.2, more shock and awe than affection.

[Canon Bob]

As an analogy, the 300/2.8 is my wife, the 85/1.2 is my mistress and the 24-105 is my sister....if that makes sense.

Bob

PS...poor wording in my earlier post although I should have been more careful after EG's lusty enthusiasm

[Trixster]

My 70-200 f4 IS feels good, such a quality piece of workmanship.

[AliB]

I've just had a divorce :'(


.................followed by a menage a trois with the three Nikons :naughty: and I'm really rather liking that lothario that is the 105mm and looking forward to a dark and dingy encounter with the new 50mm f1.4

And I LUST after the 85mm f1.4. :whistling:

[EdinburghGary]

And I LUST after the 85mm f1.4. :whistling:

Sloppy seconds if you want it? :D

[purpleclouds]

300 2.8.. it's my workhorse and takes pictures that make me happy :D

[daugirdas]

85mm f/1.8, 100mm macro USM (maybe I should get the L version then?) and Tokina 12-24mm. Coincidentally, they are fairly light, accurate and very sharp.

Nifty fifty had the worst rejection reaction - I got rid of both mk1 and mk2 almost immediately.

[malla1962]

300 2.8.. it's my workhorse and takes pictures that make me happy :DThink im with you on this one, 300f2.8 then my 500f4.

[Davec223]

My zeiss 50mm f1.4 planar, just something about it makes me feel warm inside.

[AliB]

Sloppy seconds if you want it? :D

yeah but yours got damaged *** you is too rough! :D

[specialman]

Ancient 85mm f/1.8 AF pre-'D' version - amazing AF, amazing bokeh and just sharp as hell. That and my SB800 are essential tools....

[infra_dread]

My best "feeling" lens has to be a Nikkor SC 1.4 50mm, that has to be at least 20 years old. The precision of the focusing and aperture rings beats anything made recently and it feels like it is carved out of solid steel. The fact that it still works on my Nikon DSLRs as well as my SLRs is an added bonus. It even works with my infrared cameras, giving a fantastic soft focus feel to the images.

[Chris L]

35mm on a full frame would be my number 1 so for me it has to be my 35 f/1.4

[Raymond Lin]

They all feel good, 16-35, 24-70, 135, 50.

Depends what i am shooting with, but the 135 feels the best.

[kevshore]

It has to be my nikon 300mm 2.8. Then my 85mm 1.4, followed by my baby. The 200-400mm f4.


Kev.

[dod]

Nikon 70-200 F2.8

[..MD..]

24 - 105 Love mine to bits.


md

[Liam]

My 400mm f5.6, has to my favorite as its super light and looks nice on my 40D :D

I also like the 80mm f2.8 on my Mamiya as its sooo sharp it hurts.

[Laudrup]

My 300mm f/2.8 IS would be my choice. People in a better position get out of the way when they see it, if only they could see my (poor) keeper rate :D

[foodpoison]

It would be my 24-60 but the focussing is slightly off, it front focusses which is extremely annoying so I have to use it in manual.

The 10-20 is amazing. It's so sharp, a pleasure to use and always has my dinner ready when I get in.

[micloi]

Nothing compares to my 'magic drainpipe', love the feel of old canon metal especially when it is so damn sharp wide open and balances perfectly with my gripped 7D :)

[Crazy Dino]

Despite weight, fell in love after properly using my 70-200 2.8 last night.

Nom Nom Nom!!!

[pete.rush]

Was the 300mm f4 IS, went everywhere with me, but now I have its bigger brother, the f2.8 IS .........but there's still a soft spot for the f4 and until easy jet makes carry out luggage dimensions bigger for hand luggage, it's coming with me again to Portimao in March for the WSB's because I ain't sticking the 300mm f2.8 in the hold......

[EdBray]

24L TSE MkII for me, I love this lens, I much prefer it to the 17L TSE which I bought a couple of weeks ago.

[TommyPhoto]

As I've very recently just got it I'm going to have to say the 24-70. It is built and feels like a tank and I can certainly see why it's called "The Brick". It looks right, feels right and generally balances very well with the camera itself. And it's giving me some very pleasing results.

:canon:

Tom N.

[irw1]

It'd have to be the Nikon PCE Micro 85mm f/2.8 for me! :love: It looks awesome, with it's crazy square edges and those twiddley knobs, is built like a tank, is PIN sharp and has the most balanced & accurate manual focus ring ever! :D

(We're a sad lot really aren't we?!) :lol:

[Les McLean]

(We're a sad lot really aren't we?!) :lol:

I thought I was bad enough , but can see I'm in a minor league compared to some here ;) :naughty:

[Ajophotog]

Sorry but this thread is sick, all this talk of lens caressing is just so immature and you should all just grow up.

But as you ask the MP-e 65 with it's weight and solid built is just pure joy :D

[TimSandhu]

I agree, this thread is just wrong...

While we're on the subject, the Nikon 85mm 1.4 floats my boat because it's got personality but the 70-200 2.8 is a whopper.

But we all know that it's the personality that counts right?

[Joe T]

Try using a 400 2.8 and see if you can love anything else afterwards.... :D

[GaryK26]

My first girl was an 18-55 kit lens....It was all new to me and boy did she feel good :woot:, but I soon discovered that she was very limiting. We only went as far as kissing.

Then came Tammy, the 17-50....I had had my first experience with girls, but wanted more. Sure, the first was certainly a great introduction and I will always remember. Now I wanted to step up a bit and so started my first "real" relationship. We spent a good year together and she sure made me feel good. :love:

Time passed and again I found myself wanting more, but I just couldn't let Tammy go. I got myself a quality bit on the side. :banana: She, my 70-200 f4, offered me something extra all encased in a sleek and sexy new colour. She knew the ropes, could stand up for herself and certainly made me buzz when I saw what she could do.

I grew older, my tastes more refined and decided to ditch Tammy in favour of a well rounded, quality lady. OK, so being f4 she may not be as "young" as Tammy, but she is not far behind Tammy's 2.8. The 70-200 f4 remained to this day, but I spent less and less time with her, favouring 24-105. OK, so she doesn't go as far as my bit on the side, but I figured that I needed a real quality lady that I could depend on. Flaxible without being flambouyant. Reliable and trustworthy. :love::love::love:

A few very minor flings thrown in for good measure, but nothing of note or duration.

For now, I am a happy man. My 2 girls keep me happy. They offer me different things and don't encroach on one another too much.

Who knows what the future brings? Maybe one day I'll score with a real classy 24-70 2.8, an 85 1.4, but they always seem to end up with the guys who have their own company's, money to splash, fast cars and everything that goes with it!

[chilliz]

I`m quite liking my 17-40L at the moment. :love:

[ryanyboy]

200 f2. But she's a big lass and I can't handle her for long. Still she's good while it lasts.

I'd be lonely without her.....

[IanFlaherty]

The 70-200mm L is in a whole other league to the rest of my lenses and I suspect that would apply to any of the white L lenses; simple design, sturdy as hell and produce pictures that could split an atom they're so sharp.

The 50mm f/1.4 is nice, but I don't like the focus ring.. I dunno if it's just mine, but it's a bit loose and not as smooth/solid as the 70-200's.

The kit lens is a bit bargain basement and obviously compromised and I'm not keen on the Sigma 24-70mm design and 'coating'.. it's so un-Canon-like and not in a good way.

[blue max]

Why do you all think of lenses as female?

Anyway, rule of thumb - if you don't use them flog 'em, er sell them.

Surely any lens with a red ring is... - doh!

Graham

[Rovers_Andy]

300 f/2.8 for me :love: then the 400 for when some extra length is required :naughty:

[Les McLean]

Anyway, rule of thumb - if you don't use them flog 'em, er sell them.


Graham

Is that a references to females or lenses ;)

[Gaz81]

My 24-70L... hmm. Very nice with my 5D!

[CT]

500mm f4L. Expensive high maintenance bitch, but always delivers! :naughty:

[mho]

my 400 2.8 L IS

and

135 f2

[woof woof]

I see that I'm not the only one...

Sigma 12-24mm.

When I have another lens on my camera it feels like adultery. Right now there's a Sigma 50mm f1.4 on my camera and even though it's in it's bag and not being used I feel the urge to put the 12-24mm back on.

I always thought that I was just a little odd in this respect so thanks for making me just one of the many odd people.

[dseered]

Well I have not long been in from todays Wedding and my 70-200 2.8 just makes me smile, its amazing !

[jayeshpp]

24-70 2.8 and now my 80-200 2.8, amazing...!

[Rob_Ashton]

I love my 85 1.2... personally I find it a tad short for a lot of stuff I do... still use it anyway though lol

Need to get another 70-200 2.8...

[eccles]

Minolta 200mm F2.8 HS G. A 20 year old piece of photographic magic. Some say it's the finest 200mm prime ever built. I haven't tried any other 200mm primes to prove or disprove that, but the Minolta's build quality, beautiful colours and sharpness are legendary for those who have encountered it.

[Bendihossan]

My EF 24-105MM F/4 L IS USM rarely comes off the camera but I bought an 85mm f/1.8 recently and I'm fast falling in love with it!

[dinners]

I'll ingore my L lenses and say my Canon EF-S 17-85 IS USM.

Yes I've got better but when it was all I had to work with - it delivered and reminds me of my values.

I'm talking tripod/landscape here so speed wasnt an issue but when I look back over my photographs I'm always amazed at how many of my favourites were taken using this lens.

Great little walkabout lens for a crop camera.

[Lightstalker]

My oldschool Canon EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM, bloody great workhorse in clubs!
Would love the 16-40mm MKII version but just have other lens priorities *cough 85mm f/1.2L*. :)

[susie]

The 135 f/2 is creeping up on the 70-200 2.8IS as a favorite, I've been doing some indoor sport this winter and its superb in sports halls.
Must admit when I got my paws on the 85 1.2 for a few minutes that was one sexy lens - one day I would like to get one but I need to know it will get plenty of use before I could even think about buying it!

[B1ts]

Les, yes, you need to get out more mate, and apparently you are not the only one lol....

[ShrubMonkey]

Canon 50mm 1.4, shooting @f8-f11 or playing with D0F @f1.4+, fantastic!

[existent]

canon 10-22mm. I rarely take it off the camera. :thumbs:

[Arkady]

My 17-35 f/2.8...a close second is my 28-70 f/2.8...

I so-ooooo missed them during the last 6 months...

[Jelster]

I had a fleeting affair for a week with a 300 f2.8 that left me wanting.....

I wanted to fall in love with my Sigma 24-70 f2.8 but can't, although there is something about my 70-200 f4.

Steve

[68lbs]

I wanted to fall in love with my Sigma 24-70 f2.8 but can't

Me neither... I hate the thing! Never use it any more and prefer to use my legs and a Canon 50mm f/1.4

[Snapper73]

Has to be my Nikon 14-24mm f2.8, it just does weird and wonderful things. :nuts:

[Naboo32]

Definitely my new 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII :thumbs:.

I just know that I'm going to get superb, sharp images with as much bokeh as I (usually) want, at distances that my other lenses can't match and also because of the joy of shooting hand-held at 1/10th of a sec (with the VRII on) and still getting sharp images :eek:. This lens is bionic :D!

[Nifkin]

My Sigma 30mm; whenever I'm out with it I can't wait to get it home and whip its hood off :naughty:

[ThomasB]

My Helios 58mm F/2, cheap as chips, built like a tank and as artistic as van gogh.