![[Poll] The One Lens to Rule Them All](https://cdn.fstoppers.com/styles/large-16-9/s3/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lenses-copy_jpg.webp)
Ok, so the Lord of the Rings reference is a bit dramatic. But photographers ask this question of each other all the time: "What lens could you not go without?" Imagine that you had to pick one lens for your camera for the rest of your life. Which lens would that be? Could you be completely satisfied with an 85mm f/1.4, or would you grab the 70-200mm f/2.8? Decisions decisions...
In speaking to instructors and photographers from all over the world, this is what I call the "desert island lens" question. It is of course a preposterous situation, but it's interesting to hear the rationale behind choices from photographers of different backgrounds and professions. I put together a short list of some of the most popular lenses, each with their own merit. Any one of us would likely be happy with all these lenses for specific situations. They are all great lenses. But if you had to pick only one, which could you make work for the rest of your photographic career? Let us know in the poll and then tell us why in the comments section below.
50 Prime on a full frame! Jump into DX mode & change it to a 75mm for free! Perfect for low light & the perfect focal length
Wait, What about the 35 1.8?
70-200 f2.8.. But just the Nikon version :-p
The only lens I really could not go without is the one in my eye...
24-70 2.8
so obvious
Canon 35 1.4L
these all are canon lenses so, 50 is sh*t, 85 is long for every day use, 70-200 same, 18-85 no, So we have 16-35, 24-70 and 24-105. 16-35 a would love that-but it's wide for everyday use. 24-70/24-105? my choice is 24-105, it has IS, good quality and range.
I voted 24-70 f/2.8L. The 35L would be a close second.
24-105! Although I would probably say 24-70 if it had stabilization.
70-200 2.8 for me. I don't think I could live without the low f stop, and I love the compression for portraits =)
24-135 f/1.4. If I'm going to be stuck in a preposterous situation, I might as well have a preposterous lens. ;-)
That said, I'd pick a 24-70 for the all-around usefulness, though 70 would be a bit shorter than I'd want.
24-70mm 2.8. Wide enough to shoot landscapes and indoor shots, but versatile enough to zoom in for closer shots of people. Not to mention the 2.8. If the 24-105 had that i would have choosen that one instead.
Uhm, I chose the 50mm 1.8. But I guess it's easy to pick the 24-70 as it covers such a wide range. Then again, it's pretty heavy.
Nikkor 300mm F2.8.... owns portraits and sports.
50mm 1.2 !!!
Never leave home without it :o)
24-70 2.8 is closest to my Nikon workhorse 35-70mm F/2.8D
The 35mm 1.4 would be a nice choice, but I would still pick the 24-70 or the 70-200.
24-70mm f/2.8
Nikon AF-D 50mm f1.4 :)
24-70mm 2.8
I had the 24-70 2.8 but the weight really got to me and I have since switched to the 24-105. A lot easier for myself and my girlfriend to carry around and she gets amazing shots even without that extra f-stop.
70-200 2.8, or as I like to call it: The Equalizer.
Not all men are born equal, but thanks to The Equalizer's girth, everyone knows what a big man I am.
Seriously though, I hate using it for the above reason (I've had more than a few comments!), but God damn I couldn't live without it. I guess it's not about how I look, but how my pictures look. Such a nice lens.
we need a 35mm option, ANY 35mm would be THE option!
please feel free to give me an EF 35 1.4 for free, all my contacts can be found here: www.stefanodruetta.com. thank you!! :D
105 macro from Nikon. amazing portrait, macro capability like none other, VR for low light..
Well mine is not in the list! What about the 85 1.2! It never leaves my camera!
and the canon NP-E 65 for ultra macro!
where is the 35 1.4?
My Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G, properly universal on D3s :)
and no 85mm F/1.2, if I could only use one lens for the rest of my life... why bother with anything else...
135 f/2 L - Already can't detach it from by dslr :)
I voted for the
24-70mm f/2.8 but I wish there was a 17-70mm f/2.8
EF/FX with IS.
Okay guys!! It's time to stop with this "desert island lens" question!! Can we call it something more realistic and relevant like the "space station lens" question? I thing that would be a harder choice!!!
35 f/2.
35mm 1.4
35 1.4
Mamiya 80mm f2.8 AF
35mm f1.4 on full frame, that is the perfect lens for day to day shooting for me!
300mm 2.8 - great for landscape, wildlife, details... and you can abuse it for portraits!
50mm f/1,2
i think 35mm f1.8 made in china would be a choosen one!
24-70 2.8
for the price of the 24-70 2.8 ill get a 14mm 2.8, 35 1.4 and 85 1.4 their are lovely and very cool for my hddslr workflow, and still have room for a nice set of CP for each one of them, but if it comes to only one well 24-105!
I couldn't vote because the 85mm 1.4G wasn't on there.
I voted for the 70-200 because I shoot portraits. Everyday use is done with my phone. Work/Career is just portraiture, so hands down, the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II
A 24-70mm f2.8 could be used for a lot of things up close or far away. Plus its gonna be a bit better for those who own a C-size sensor cause you will gain that extra zoom.
Oh yes where is my 35 1.4L? :|
I love the quality of prime lenses but if I could have only one lens I'd take the 24-70 !
The poll should say 24-70mm 2.8 II. Otherwise the 24-105mm is sharper.
24-70.... great all rounder especially on a full frame