The misconception that you need every possible focal length to succeed is costing you thousands in unnecessary gear purchases. Building the perfect lens kit isn't about owning everything - it's about finding the focal lengths that define your unique creative vision.
Coming to you from Martin Castein, this practical video challenges the common approach to lens collecting by suggesting you start with a single prime lens, specifically a 50mm. Using a fixed focal length forces you to move physically to compose shots, leading to more thoughtful and creative image-making than relying on zoom lenses. This limitation paradoxically expands your creative possibilities by making you solve compositional problems through movement and perspective rather than just turning a zoom ring.
Your most-used lens isn't necessarily your best lens for creative work, and this distinction matters deeply for developing your style. Many successful image-makers throughout history have primarily used a single focal length. Rather than attempting to cover every possible scenario, these artists found the specific focal length that matched their vision and mastered it completely. This focused approach led to instantly recognizable styles and consistent creative output.
The process of building a lens kit should be intentional and personal. Rather than copying what others use or trying to cover every possible scenario, start with that single prime lens and really learn its characteristics. Only after thoroughly understanding how you see through that focal length should you consider adding a complementary lens that fills a genuine need in your work, one that naturally extends your creative vision. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Castein.
If one is truly into collecting and using lenses, focal length is just one criteria. If I'm doing portraits with my 8x10, I generally want a 14 to 16-inch lens. But in that defined range, a Petzval is different than a Tessar, a Plasmat is different than a Cooke portrait Lens, which is different than an Imagon, Verito, or Rapid Rectilinear.
But I suppose that's an issue with modern lenses. Other than focal length and maximum aperture, they're all designed to look the same, perfect with no personality. Stepford lenses...
As an event pro, I use almost every AF prime Samyang makes, and each has earned a place in my cabinet. Except maybe the 45, as I’m partial to the 35 instead.
That said, were I a hobbyist, I could easily be satisfied with 24, 35 and 85 primes and a tele zoom.
Trite.
I've made a bunch of money over the years with a 70-200 f2.8 or a 24-70 f2.8 hanging off the front of my camera. I have a "nifty" 50 f1.8 that gets some use at times. Mostly freelance PJ work, but I also venture into other areas and this is still basically my kit. In the end use what you have or what you need to get the shots you want...
100% agree with you. I have no patience to this talk about what lenses should I use! Every time the same thing, or 35mm and 50mm or you're not a photographer. Please…
The title is great! I have about 12 lenses for my Nikon Z cameras. I chose just one to take with me to Puerto Rico for some street photography. I can't wait to just take pictures. (And not be swapping lenses!)
Collecting lenses is better than looking at my photos.
Same, honestly.