THE ONLY TWO LENSES YOU NEED

For decades, when I shot film starting in the late 1960s, I pretty much utilized three lenses for everything, and I was happy as a clam. I had a 28mm, 50mm, and a 135mm. Used the shit out of them. Now it seems that photography has become so complicated. So many choices, electronics, computers etc. Yeah, I'm aging myself, but like you said, Dee, "less is more". Love your videos! Thanks!

This reminds me of fixed gear riders talk about gear ratios. In NYC it's 49/17 for the city and 49/15 for racing 😅

I’m retired from the life now and I no longer have to worry about what lens to use. I use one camera with one lens at a time, and it is liberating. Two lenses is simply too much choice to be dealing with.

Several years ago, I asked a very experienced photographer what lenses I should take on my first (and only, so far) trip to China. She said one body and one lens, probably a 50mm. I decided that was a bit too limiting and I took two lenses, a 28mm and a 50m. I didn’t use the 50mm that much but it was a great combo. I use my 28mm more than any other lens. My one lens preference today would be a 40mm but 28/50 covers more bases.

This is my exact same combo. For decades I used only a 80mm 2.8 and 50mm 2.8 on my Hasselblad (45mm and 28mm equiv). They were the only two lenses I owned. Once digital became the norm for regular work and everyone had to shoot Canon and I was renting for jobs and using zooms, I felt like I lost the love. I became lazy, I felt like I was interacting with making an image less. I recently dropped all the lenses I have for just those two primes (I hung onto a normal zoom just for occasional video stuff). I have never been happier and feel involved in what I'm making again. And now with focus peaking I rarely even use AF.

AGREED! I only use more for very specific purposes. A 28 & 50 ffe is definitely all you really need though. For Fuji the 18 f/2 and 35 f/1.4 are incredible and by far are my fav Fuji lenses. I add the 23mm f/2 for harsh weather, the sigma 18-50 for travel/hiking and the 70-300 for wildlife and sports but they are NOT necessary at all.

I don’t understand the phone argument like I don’t care if it’s the same focal length as in my phone, I like that focal length. First lens I really liked was a Pentax 28 mm f3.5 and now I’m using it with a speed booster on an XT1 such an amazing combination.

I like watching you Dee. You give a no bullshit presentation. I started out in the 90's with the fixed 45mm on my Yashica Electro 35. I mastered that focal length to the point I could see the scene before I even put the camera to my eye. A couple years later I was able to afford better cameras and lenses got into that GAS. I did try the 28mm but for me and I must stress to you "for me and my style" I found that 35 to 50mm fits my vision. Today I have one canvas (Fuji X-T5) and a very limited choice of paint brushes. The 27mm f2.8 and the 23 & 33mm f1.4's. With all that said go out and enjoy what you have and keep the setup simple so you can concentrate on the moments.

I shot with only a Fuji X100T for about 5 years and it was liberating. I didn't 'miss' other lenses although I did end up desiring a two-lens kit so I could have the option to isolate things. I ultimately went with an XT3 and 23, 35, 50 f2 trinity. For the price and size it makes sense to own all three. Also, I can never decide if I prefer 23/50 or 18/35 combo.

It's personal taste, what combo you choose. I'm never leaving home without my 50/1.4, it's still my #1. After 50 years of press photography, I've learned to handle it. My #2 is a 90/2.5 which is great for concert, landscape and portrait. Maybe I could live without my 24/3.8, if I should, but I get your point. Keep on rolling!

28 50 is absolutely the all time greatest photo combo. Love seeing it getting some love. Video is where I venture into more extreme gear. My thought with video is 2 primary lenses, 2 specialty lenses.

For years, I shot solely with one lens (Yashica DS 50mm f1.2) then adapted it to my X-E1 once I went mirrorless. I’ve only ever purchased one other lens (Fujifilm 23mm f2) and wholeheartedly agree that two lenses is more than enough. At some point, I may swap out focal lengths (I’m talking to you Fujifilm 35mm f1.4) for a taste of something new but will never exceed two lenses at any one time. Thank you for always being unapologetically you and giving a brutally honest perspective on photography as a whole.

I've opted for 24mm instead of 28mm since forever (and I've always been an SLR guy) but in regards to everything else, you're 100% right...

Thanks for this video. I am always trying fight the idea that I am really strong in two focal ranges, but my wallet and my back is thanking you for this reinforcement.

OMG man I have been yelling this for a while now! I shoot 50mm mirrorless and 28mm on my 5D4. You got a new fan!

This combo is all I use for weddings now. Just sold my 85mm equiv. lens as I hardly ever used it. Thanks for the vid buddy.

Thanks for sharing. Worked 7 yrs with only fuji xf35mm (53mm equiv). These days I mostly grab l the xf18mm (27 equiv) or the 27 (41 equiv). The first for extreme image quality, low light and close up capability. The latter when Do not need low light and want the minimum possible weight pack for the fuji. But no other platforms :)

I love your attitude towards photography. After a few years out I’m getting back into it with a Fuji X-T10 and a TTArtisan 25mm. I already have gas for more stuff but I’m gonna keep it chill and have fun taking some snaps!

Perfect ! 28mm & 50mm are my favourites too & I thought I was the only weird one. I feel it’s more to do with the shooting distance people have gotten used to at the start of their photography journey. Starting with a 28mm they naturally will feel the 50mm being the perfect choice or vice versa while some people who stared with either the 35mm or the 85mm will choose the 35/85 combination. Having said this I end up working with almost all focal lengths but frequently I am drawn to the 28/50.

Thanks Dee. I'm a Fuji wedding photographer, 18/2, 35/2 and 90/2 (just for speeches and portraits) -- the only thing I'm thinking of changing, is to go back to the old 35/1.4, which although had slow AF, it had a certain magic that's lacking since I switched to the f2 lens -- and it's not the bokeh in this case, I used to shoot the 1.4 at f2-2.8 most of the time. I only switched to the f2 because I'm in the UK (weather resistance). I wasn't sure whether to switch the 90/2 for a more versatile (and OIS) 50-140, but again I think I would be compromising on image quality. Your videos are always good food for thought. I totally agree with the 28/50 combo though. 35/85 seems to be the norm these days.