How to Choose the Right Lens

Figuring out which lens to buy or even use in a photoshoot can be overwhelming because there are so many options out there for cameras. So I walk you through 3 principles I use to help make that lens choosing process easier!
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[@martyseppala3757]

Hi Luke, great vid!
I have a Z50mm f1.8S currently after watching your channel I am thinking seriously about a f1.2, I like zooming with my feet for sure. The other lens I own are the Z14-30mm f4 I use daily for real estate property pix, and the Z100-400 4.5-5.6 for sports and nature action. This is my new trinity. The cameras I use are the Z62 and Z9.

[@lukewtcleland]

Hey Marty! Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Oh awesome, I highly recommend it. I will say the 50 1.8 is really excellent too. But the 1.2 feels amazing in your hand, and had that extra special quality to it.
Cool! You've got a great set there, I still haven't tried out a Z9 yet, would love to in the future.

[@markusbolliger1527]

You can also change your position with a zoom lens ... It depends on the motif and the situation if a prime is the better choice. I like both, and I use them depending on the task.

[@lukewtcleland]

That's true! Good point.

[@paoloroggero6609]

prime lenses have all the benefits you mentions. There is something however that often is missed regarding this topic. Each focal length has an ideal minimum distance from the subject, for example, if you use the minimum useful distance with a 50mm for a shot of food, let's say, the photo will have a certain degree of distortion but above all the compression will not be ideal as with a 24-70 at 70mm or a 85mm. That said, I love 50mm, I find my best focal lens would be around 55-58mm (no, I don't have a noct🙂)

[@lukewtcleland]

Great thoughts!!

[@dennish4019]

I own a Z9 and finally entered the wedding photography business. I have old F lenses (24-70 and 70-200) with FTZ adapter. Which lens would you buy for the start if you can only pick one to begin with?

[@lukewtcleland]

Hey Dennis, welcome!! :)
If I could only buy one lens it would be the 50mm 1.2. If I couldn't afford that, I would get the 50mm 1.8. Both incredible lenses, and you could shoot and entire wedding with that.
Thanks for watching!

[@dennish4019]

@@lukewtcleland thank you so much for this answer. I also did a review on my current portfolio shots and a lot of them are shot at 70mm on my 70-200.. I think it was often the case that I would have zoomed out more if possible. So I think the 50mm would be better than 85mmm..
One more question:
I have now a dual camera setup with one z9 and one d850. which old F mount glass would you mount on it for the wider shot - 24,28 or 35mm to have the ideal combo?

[@lukewtcleland]

@@dennish4019 Hey Dennis, totally, actually now that you say that, I remember I did the same thing all the time when I used my 70-200 all the time. I would always have it at 70, and want even more.
I agree, I think 85 is too much. I know Nikon has a 58 1.4 for F mount which is a nice length. But I do love 50mm.
That really depends on the vibe you want. I personally think 24 would be too wide to use a lot, so I think it would be between the 28 and 35mm. I always recommend that people rent lenses to test them out. There are some great lens renting companies that are actually quite affordable, especially compared to buying the lens. So that way you can really make sure you like it before you buy. Hope that helps!
L

[@basiltiffani8850]

I only hear people on TH-cam say zoom lenses make you "lazy." I think it's because so much of photography on TH-cam is gear focused. I find that focusing on shooting radically changes how you talk about the tools you use. A zoom is one kind of tool, primes another. I can use either to get all kinds of looks and feels based on what I'm seeing in my head.

[@lukewtcleland]

Totally! But a shovel is a tool, and so is a bulldozer. So it's important to get the right tools so you can forget about them and then focus on shooting.