Lens collection dilemma

[Adam Lewis]

Right, here's the kit at the moment:
18-55 kit IS
28-105 USM
50mm prime
200mm prime

This is what I plan to do:
28mm prime
50mm prime
50-200 IS HSM
200mm prime

Does this sound like a good idea?
The thing is, I never use the kit lens, I used it for like 3 days, and haven't had it on since, I simply don't bother: if 28 isn't wide enough, I step back.
The 28-105 is good... But I tend to only use it either at 28mm or between the 70-105 range, where it isn't that great optically. Which makes me wonder, why do I need the 29-69 or so, especially seeing as I have my 50mm prime which, naturally has a wider aperture.
The other thing is that the 50-200 IS HSM is a better performer according to reviews, and covers my usual distance fine - perhaps I would go higher than 105mm if I could? I'm aware the HSM in the lens isn't ring type, so it will not be as speedy as the canon 28-105, but I'm not too concerned about that.

The kit lens + 28-105 *should* by the looks of eBay fetch me at least £100, if not more as they are both in perfect condition.

Is there a flaw to my proposal? Something I'm not taking into account? Have I already made up my mind but just need reassurance?

--- I should also mention that regardless I am selling the 18-55 kit. I have no use for it.

 

[Paul Lange]

Are you talking about Canon here? I can't really help if you are other than to say dont get too hung up on making sure your lenses cover all the focal lengths from 50 to 200mm. IHMO and if it were I, I wouldn't bother with the zoom lens initially and just wait and see if I can get along with the primes you mention. I hardly ever use my zoom lenses and when I do I tend to only use them in their sharpest focal length and aperture range. But that is just me so may not work for you.

 

[Pete Askew]

I would take the same approach as Paul. Otherwise your logic sounds good to me.

 

[Hamish Gill]

My experience, for what its worth

I recently bought a 28mm 1.8 for my nikon. Ive not used my 24-70 since.
The lenses I now use - 28 1.8, 50 1.4, 85 1.4, 70-200 2.8

 

[Adam Lewis]

That's actually a pretty good idea Paul, but then I'm without any lens that has autofocus (though not essential - is helpful),
Hamish, do you think that without the zoom you'd be missing something?

What I might do then, is see how I manage with just the 28 & 50 & 200 . Though I do honestly think ill miss the versatility of the zoom and the 50-200 range for that matter!. It's sort of a catch all see, and is a handy lens you can just whack on the camera and be more or less fine with most situations?

 

[Hamish Gill]

Not so far
the ultimate test will be a wedding ... ...
But so far, my experience has been one of gains ... Look at this http://www.realphotographersforum.com/people-portraits/10015-joy-liam.html
the 28 1.8 Nikon is a wonderfully sharp lens! The 24-70 is exceptional, but the 28 just pips it at the same fov ... It just renders nicer! It's also a lot lighter!

I realised that the 28mm fov worked for me when I noticed I rarely zoomed with my sony rx100.
for shooting people it's a dream!

so like i say, so far, all good without zoom ...
its a leap of faith I think...

 

[Lesley Jones]

I used to worry about my kit. A bit. But then I'm female and I never really did get into what was actually available. When I only had the film SLR I got by with three lenses for well over 20 years. I had really wanted an extra wide prime, but I waited for nearly 25 years before buying a 17mm second hand from someone at work.

I would still like to use film, but frankly, with the zoo I just can't afford it and it would only increase my scanning back log. So for the moment I use a DSLR with the one short kit zoom and I'm happy. It's nice to walk around without a heavy bag on my back and I know if I come across a suitable subject, I will never have the wrong lens on the camera

- - - Updated - - -

Not so far
the ultimate test will be a wedding ... ...
But so far, my experience has been one of gains ... Look at this http://www.realphotographersforum.com/people-portraits/10015-joy-liam.html
the 28 1.8 Nikon is a wonderfully sharp lens! The 24-70 is exceptional, but the 28 just pips it at the same fov ... It just renders nicer! It's also a lot lighter!

I realised that the 28mm fov worked for me when I noticed I rarely zoomed with my sony rx100.
for shooting people it's a dream!

so like i say, so far, all good without zoom ...
its a leap of faith I think...

With tongue firmly in cheek, but to quote a famous photographer - sharpness is a borgeois concept.

I left a forum where some members were into the latest of everything. One guy had nearly 30 lenses the last time I looked. He bought one of the latest Leicas too and to be honest I found the sharpness of the images was a distraction...

 

[Hamish Gill]

I might well have more than 30 lenses Lesley

but don't get me wrong ... It's not just sharpness I like ... See links to lenses below... It's overall rendering that appeals! The Nikon 28 1.8, as far as ultimately sharp lenses go, works well for me!
my sony rx100 has lovely creamy transition to oof.
my summarit is not sharp, but wonderful in every way!
... I could go on!
Its about right lens for job, right lens character for job!

 

[Adam Lewis]

Well in that case, I shall take up both yours and Paul's advice and see how I go without then.

And I know what you mean Lesley, but if and when I go out to the streets, ill have the 50mm attached, which should do me fine for people (and will make me get closer!) and if I decide that day that other subjects are speciality of the day, ill switch to the 28. Only 1 extra lens then, and they're only small anyway

 

[Larry Bolch]

Match your kit to what you shoot. Each item should solve a definable problem. All too often people buy lenses without really thinking through what their purpose should be. Look over your images and analyze what would have made each one better—if anything. If a pattern begins to emerge, then you will soon see what you need. When shooting, be aware of any lens that seems to lack function—which you already have done with the kit lens. However, before you off-load it, try a day of shooting with it alone. You may discover it anew.

Of course, that is if you are a Real Photographer. If it is just about the joy of EAS—Equipment Acquisition Syndrome—buy what ever lights your fire.

 

[Adam Lewis]

Words of wisdom there larry
I use the 50 1.8 for video but of course it's very useful for low light photos, and with it being a small (in size) lens, it's perfect for street (I do also have a 50 2.8 pancake which is much smaller, but I'm just going to clean it up and flog it). I use the 28mm end for whenever space is limited. And the 70-105 range when I can be one end of room and subject at the other, or I use it with macro filters to get a higher magnification (achievable with the 50-200 if I get it).

It is slight EAS, I do lust a lot, and I get in phases of loving something, and truthfully, my 28-105 bores me now, and it's not that good of course! Lol so it is upgrading nevertheless.

 

[Lesley Jones]

I might well have more than 30 lenses Lesley

but don't get me wrong ... It's not just sharpness I like ... See links to lenses below... It's overall rendering that appeals! The Nikon 28 1.8, as far as ultimately sharp lenses go, works well for me!
my sony rx100 has lovely creamy transition to oof.
my summarit is not sharp, but wonderful in every way!
... I could go on!
Its about right lens for job, right lens character for job!

That doesn't count Hamish because you collect cameras. This gentleman had two bodies of the same, or similar model and over 24 lenses for those alone. Then the move to a Leica and the collecting started again. Don't get me wrong - he has every right to enjoy his hobby as he sees fit, but this Equipment Aquisition Syndrome makes me sad

 

[Hamish Gill]

Do I collect cameras? Or am I a sufferer of GAS? (gear acquisition syndrome - same as EAS, just funnier)
There is a fine line id say... I love buying things! I bought an olympus xa and Nikon fe10 yesterday... Do I need them? No! Can I justify buying more cameras? So why buy them? It's probably a case of GAS.
i can justify the purchases - I've wanted to try an xa for ages (Brian shoots a lot with one and I like what he does with it)
The FE10 has an led based matched needle style meter which appeals for low light use.

I wonder if your pal on the other forum could justify his lenses?
would "because I want to shoot that focal length with this camera" not be enough ...?

im just playing devils advocate here of course, I saw plenty of people come and go through the shop who looked to be buying large quantities of this or that ... But largely speaking they were sound enough folks ... And at least they weren't spending it on crack or whores ...

- - - Updated - - -

... The thing I disapprove of is buying of kit for kudos. Larry conciders the faster lenses jewlery ... I think in some cases he is right. Some folks buy stuff so they can say they have it, but don't use it. That's what is sad!

 

[Adam Lewis]

Both lenses listed last night, already got 13 watchers
Anyway, on the 28mm hunt, is there any recommendations? Or any brand I should stay well clear of?
I see a lot of Hanimex? Sirius? Soligor? Helios? There's a 24mm Sigma super-wide II ?

I thought I'd ask 'cos I trust you lot, and your opinions are always appreciated

 

[Paul Lange]

I suppose it depends on what you want. If you are looking for a sharp contrasty lens then have a look on some technical review sites like DPR, Photozone or SLR gear and then you could try searching for a lens group on Flickr to see if you like the general rendering of the lens. If you want a more artistic look then go for an older obscure lens. I have a lens that it terrible, its blurred, fuzzy has loose elements inside and it is perfect for figurative work as a result.

 

[Adam Lewis]

See the problem I get is I find forum threads on google for particular lenses and some have great views, and others have awful thoughts on the same lens model. And then there's confusion over who made the lens as opposed to the label placed upon it, and somehow it making a difference.
I'm basically aiming for a sharp-enough contrasty lens. If truth be told I really like the look of my pentacon prakticar 50mm , and there are prakticar 28mm's out there, which makes me think that surely they'll be similar if not the same? Which is be fine with.
I didnt think about Flickr, I shall gander over the next few days

 

[Hamish Gill]

You have to read exactly what they are saying and compare them.
"wonderful lens for dreay portraits" from one person with mean a "very soft wide open" from another.
if you want sharp and contrasty look fr 'multi-coated' and buy a lens hood.

 

[Adam Lewis]

I found some Pentax forum which has a 'find a lens' style feature, and people review their lenses and the system gives an overall score for the lens based on the inputs. Good job I looked, I was bidding on a lens which only had a score of 4 out of 10, and the reviews were dreadful.
The sigma 28 mini-wide got a score of around 8, whereas the sigma 24mm super-wide II was getting like 9, and the AF version an incredible 9.6 (the extra for the AF). I began bidding on a manual one, got up to £35 inc postage, but the adapter is £14 too, so nearly £50. I just won an auction for £57 for an EF fitting AF version of it. So for the extra £7 I've got auto focus and don't need an adapter.. I don't really think ill use auto that much, if it all, but it's a steal considering there's buy it now options out there for £80/£100 and even more.
It's perfect condition apparently, no dust, fungus, mist and so on.. It's coming 1st class, so hopefully on Wednesday at latest it'll be here and I can show you lot.

£57 was a bit more than I expected to pay (I am tight as hell), but when you consider it's a wide-ish lens (obv not for me on APS-C), with a decent aperture of 2.8 . And it has AF and in mint condition inside and out. I took the plunge, I just hope it pays off

 

[Andy Boardman]

If your on Canon gear Adam, have you thought about getting an adapter to use Nikon lenses ?? I have got myself one & use old Nikon AI/S lenses on my gear now, you can get some real good bargains & it takes you back to basics as the metering is a no goer so you have to work at it & YOU LEARN MORE as you use it.

 

[Adam Lewis]

I have yes Andy, however that's more adapters again, it was cheaper to get an EF mounting lens than another lens + adapter.

Anyway the lens arrived today, but there's a problem. I get 'Error 01' when using any aperture other than 2.8 (maximum). Also the AF makes a grinding noise and stops moving.
The lens is perfect condition, however it's a tight squeeze when mounting? I think the aperture pin on camera body is too big / small for the lens part, but I don't understand the problem with the AF?

I'm considering sending it back, however it's a super nice lens,
Will I use smaller apertures?
I'm not bothered by the AF anyway, it only reaches 5ft before hitting infinity! Lol

Any thoughts?


-----
Scrap that, I sorted the AF problem, I cleaned the lens contacts (even though they were clean anyway) and it fully works now, it's just dead loud by nature of the gears within I think, won't be an issue anyway.
Error 01 says that the lens contacts need cleaning , which obviously they definitely don't now.

So why would I be getting a lens contact cleaning error when using an aperture other than maximum? Could it need re-chipping maybe?