If you stand in a field, focus on a tree half an acre away, and slowly walk forward, thinking of your focal point, adjusting your settings, stopping at intervals to take a series of photographs, effectively covering your depth of field, you’ll only need one lens! For a more professional photographer a variety of selected lenses serves as the only professional option. I’ve heard photographers say ‘it is all about the lens’ and not so much to do with the body. Do they not consider AF, this auto focusing is done in the camera body not the lens, it is electromagnetic not optical.

However the lens does do allot of the work when you press you finger down to take a picture. I think when people say it’s all in the lens what they mean to say is, ‘it’s all in the price of the lens’.

The biggest mistake an amateur photographer can make is to buy an expensive, high quality hard body and then buy a cheap large zoom lens. Mostly because you will not get the most out of what your camera body can do. In short both the lens and the body are equally important in the digital SLR age.

I use a Canon, a Nikon and a Fuji Film body. To be honest, I am one of those rare people that has not chosen ‘a side’. It would be great if I could interchange my Canon Lenses with my Nikon lenses. there are independent lenses such as Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, and Vivitar which have compatible mounts, depending on the model.

Lenses as you know, are not only to do with focal length but are complex and varied. The varieties of lenses are fairly incredible; Macro, APO, process lenses, zoom lenses, fish eye, stereoscopic, soft focus, infra-red, ultraviolet, swivel lenses and many more. With all the variety of lenses it is not surprising that people yearn for one lens that can incorporate a variety of functions.

What do you need the lens for? What is your subject and what kind of photographs are you wanting to take? A sports photographer would do well with a telephoto, a product photographer would have in his series of lenses a macro. But if you are anything like me you want them all, financially however you have to narrow it down a bit. So where would you start? Below are Lenses I have either used and liked, or would like to try.

In my incredibly large camera bag I would put:

1. A short range zoom lens, or a standard lens

Its best to start with a small, light and convenient lens to travel with. The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM lens is a good lens to start with. If you use Nikon, possibly the
Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens.

I would like to try out the The Tokina 16.5-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AT-X DX mostly because it has so many mixed reviews on the internet.

2. Wide-angle zoom lens

A lens with a wide field of view.There are a variety of wide angle lenses on the market, generally I look for a 28mm, but other choices are the Canon EF 17-40mm, which is a moderately priced wide angle zoom lens. Also the Nikon AF 14mm f/2.8 D ED. It is a bit pricey, but worth it and is definitely one of the best in the Nikon category.

3. Zoom lens

Focus is essential when shooting with any zoom lens. Zoom lenses commonly have a large range, starting from a mid wide angle and ending in a moderate telephoto.

A fast zoom lens has a wider aperture and low f stop, allowing you to play with a better depth of field. They often are expensive and heavy. I use my Canon 24-70mm f/28 USM lens frequently, especially for city shots, where I focus on my subject and blur out the background.This lens has a good reputation and I have heard from fellow photographers some people use it as a good standard lens.

Alternatively if you are not a Canon user, the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 has had very good reviews.

4. Macro

From life size to ten times life size! (1:1 to 10:1). Macro lenses have optimised resolution and are normally 35mm 50 ~ 60mm in focal length. The Sigma AF 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM APO has received good reviews and has a HSM (Hyper-Sonic Motor) which ensures a quiet & high-speed auto focus. I would enjoy getting to know this lens.

I have used the Nikon AF-S Micro 60mm F2.8 G ED to take photographs of morning dew in the Malaysian rainforest and I was impressed with the auto focus and you can shoot as close-up as 0.185m.

5. Telephoto

The telephoto is often unnecessary, unless you are a wildlife photographer, sports photographer, need to take photos of speed, or need the extended focal field. Canon 200/2.8L is a telephoto lens that is recommended by most dealers. Nikon 200-400mm f/4 super telephoto would be an interesting and expensive lens to experiment with. It weighs over seven pounds and you have to place an order with Nikon (as they do not sell them readily). This lens is for professional sport photographers.

I thought I would add the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS USM to my list. Since I am adventuring into the highest price range.