One Lens for a Day

I carry only one lens most of the time

I started this as a way to make me think more about the possibilities that were around for the lens I had with me and ended up picking only one lens before leaving the house almost everytime I take the camera out now.

They are, but I regularly use my DA14/2.8, A50/1.2, sigma 30/1.4 and occasionally my A50/1.7 and FA50/1.4

None of my zooms can replicate what these can do.

On a typical shoot I'll take my zooms, sigma 135-400 DA* 50-135, DA10-17 and 30/1.4 and 50/1.2. Couple of bumbags with teh larger zoom cases clipped to them amkes for easy carrying, plus two lenses are on the bodies.

I have thought about just taking one lens out as an experiment or an exercise, and that would probably be the the A50/1.2 @f/1.2, but other than that I can't see the point of handicapping oneself. A zoom can be viewed as many primes in one.

If I go out with a film camera I usually just take a 40mm or 50mm...

I've been fairly happy just shooting FA50 on my K-x before although more recently I've been swithing a lot between FA35 and the wide end of the Tamron 17-50...

DA21 may have to be added to the collective...

Good idea Bernard, we'll try that next time.

When Gary Winogrand was asked if he was afraid of missing a shot when re-loading his Leica he replied, "Nothing happens when I'm re-loading"

In the real world stuff does happen when you're reloading ( or changing lenses )

I always take two bodies, each with a complimentary lens attached. Telephoto and wide angle for example. I used to miss a lot of cool shots with only one body and having to change lenses.

Pretty much very pro photographer I've seen while out on shoots has two bodies and complimentary lenses attached.

I think resricting lens will be a great way to learn and develope skills I dont yet have. Was thinking on trip to go just manual and then just 1 lens.
A while back I resricting my photo taking to just my iphone for a week. I know sounds daft but having to think more to get an aceptable image learnt alot about composition.

I find the more lenses I take out the more I have to think.

I tended to use an MX with 40/2.8 or 50/1.4 in the old days, as well as a rangefinder with fast 35mm lens, so tend to do the same with a K7 and Kr now: either a 24/1.8 or 35/2 attached or a 40DA if really going small. Most of my shots are low light and/or indoors, so these setups suit me well.

The 18-250 'lives' on my k5 (finally replaced the k200) and I love the simplicity it offers. I know a lot of people highlight its limitations but some of my favourite shots have been taken with it.

My primes, both AF and manual, tend to come out for special duties when I know they will do a better job, low light or portraits for example. Think I will force myself to live with one for a day though and see what happens - every day's a school day...