Every once in a while, someone will ask for others' opinions about what lenses they should keep/get for their M-cameras. I remember a funny saying (pardon my language): "Opinions are like assholes, everyone's got one." Everyone will try to pitch in with good intentions, but you end up with wide variety of answers. Ultimately, the best answer can only be answered by the person who asked because you should always do what makes you happy.
It's got me thinking, though. I started out with only a 50mm lens and I was happy. I concentrated on the content and I learned to know my lens really well. Of course, there were time I wished I could go wider or longer, but only seldomly.
It's got me thinking, though. I started out with only a 50mm lens and I was happy. I concentrated on the content and I learned to know my lens really well. Of course, there were time I wished I could go wider or longer, but only seldomly.
Inevitably, I acquired more lenses of different focal lengths. Can't complain, because every new lens inspired me to shoot more and challenged me to try to see the world differently. It does add a bit of variable or uncertainty when shooting... "Oh look, maybe I should go wider?" "Ah, I wish I could change to 90mm for this shot, but I don't want to waste time change lenses every time I see a shot for a different focal length."
For people without many lenses, they may think that's a good problem to have. But sometimes it does feel a little like distraction. I have these lenses: 28, 35, 50, 90. I slap on the 35'Cron when I'm going with a single lens during the day, and 50'Lux at night. If I'm carry a bag, then it's the 28-50-90 lineup.
Many have said similarly: "Limitation, in Art, breeds creativity." They argue that using one single focal length for force you to be more creative in capturing a scene it may not be perfect for. Maybe, you'd have to lie on the ground to capture the tree in full, or something like that. It's all true. But I'd say: I do shoot with one single lens, an image at a time ;-) It's all about self discipline. If I'm going out with 3 lenses, I simply choose to start what I think is the best lens for the situation, then only change lens when necessary or location changes. Self-imposed limitation, I guess.
For people without many lenses, they may think that's a good problem to have. But sometimes it does feel a little like distraction. I have these lenses: 28, 35, 50, 90. I slap on the 35'Cron when I'm going with a single lens during the day, and 50'Lux at night. If I'm carry a bag, then it's the 28-50-90 lineup.
Many have said similarly: "Limitation, in Art, breeds creativity." They argue that using one single focal length for force you to be more creative in capturing a scene it may not be perfect for. Maybe, you'd have to lie on the ground to capture the tree in full, or something like that. It's all true. But I'd say: I do shoot with one single lens, an image at a time ;-) It's all about self discipline. If I'm going out with 3 lenses, I simply choose to start what I think is the best lens for the situation, then only change lens when necessary or location changes. Self-imposed limitation, I guess.
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