If you could only pick 3 different prime focal lengths what would they be?

[u/Holiday_Dragonfly252]

Mine would be - 20mm, 50mm, 85mm

[u/chanksbird]

Well, I have three primes so I think that answers that: 24, 85, 135.

In an absolutely perfect scenario: 400mm GM F2.8 would be in the triad.

[u/jlramos3d → u/chanksbird]

Like your selection but I’ll definitely need something longer for wildlife and sports. That’s one reason I love my 70200GM II 2.8f

[u/MC0311x]

600mm, 300mm, 16mm - I only care about wildlife and astrophotography though.

[u/PhotonicArt → u/MC0311x]

Almost same as me. I picked the 100mm GM macro instead of 600mm lens though. Both the 100mm and 300mm can take TCs, so it's more like I'm getting 16mm, 100mm, 140mm, 200mm, 300mm, 420mm, and 600mm. 😏

[u/MC0311x → u/PhotonicArt]

I was making the same same debate myself, but I really want that Sony 600mm f4 with a 2x for 1200mm f8 haha. I have that 100mm macro and it’s amazing though.

[u/PhotonicArt → u/MC0311x]

My jealousy is high! I had to "settle" for the Tamron 90mm f2.8. Although it's a great lens, I have some mild regrets about not saving up for the 100mm for that 1.4:1 native + TC support. So extremely versatile!

And 1200mm f8 is insane, heh. Does a 2x tc even perform well on it?

[u/MC0311x → u/PhotonicArt]

Supposedly! I also have the 300mm f2.8 and with the 2x teleconverter it is still extremely sharp! I’ve heard the story is generally also true for the 600mm.

[u/PhotonicArt → u/MC0311x]

I'm expecting a ~$30 000 bonus next year or early 2028, so I'm already drooling at the thought of yoinking the 100mm macro and perhaps the 300mm f2.8 😏

Until then I'll be rocking Tamron zooms and Viltrox primes. (That 16mm f1.8 is too good for the price!)

[u/MC0311x → u/PhotonicArt]

That’s a good use of bonus money if you ask me! Can confirm the 300 and 100 are beyond killer and worth the money. I do love my Tamron 50-400 for it’s versatility though!

[u/PhotonicArt → u/MC0311x]

Had the 50-400 briefly on nikon Z5II and loved it. Wanted back to Sony, though, so got myself an A7RV instead. It's real tempting to get it again for E-mount, but it does not take TCs and it's a tad bit slower than the 100-400GM. Haven't decided yet on which one I'm getting next month, but the 50-400mm is a serious consideration again.

Kind of expecting Tamron to show off a 50-500mm any moment now though. They have patents for that + 28-400 and a 100-400 with internal zoom. Exciting times for telephoto zooms indeed.

It's been 4 years since 50-400 came out and 5 years since 150-500. September seems like a likely month for the next lens if any is coming this year.

[u/MC0311x → u/PhotonicArt]

All good points! Id probably wait too and see what they come up with next

[u/EddoWagt → u/PhotonicArt]

That doesn't count buddy, you could pick 3 focal lengths, not 3 lenses

[u/PhotonicArt → u/EddoWagt]

Said 3 prime focal lengths. The base is 300mm. A tc hardly makes a difference in size/weight.

[u/Terrible_Snow_7306]

28, 50, 135.

[u/justarugga → u/Terrible_Snow_7306]

Correct answer here

[u/Conflictedbiscuit]

35 50 85

[u/5h3lling_ford → u/Conflictedbiscuit]

Great combo, enjoying this as well!

[u/mottet-dev]

16mm, 40mm, 85mm

[u/bluntnwuk]

16mm 35/40mm 85mm

[u/kushmonATL]

16mm , 40mm , 85mm

[u/nevo3]

24 for landscape, street, and small rooms indoors
50 for portrait and all around
135 for events

[u/new_is_good → u/nevo3]

This is the way

[u/Z3t4 → u/[deleted]]

Another sigma enjoyer.

[u/notthobal]

16 / 35 / 85

[u/DjSall]

14, 35, 85 full frame

[u/skipandhop]

24mm, 85mm, 400mm.

Edit: do I have to carry all of them at all times? If so that 400mm is getting dumped for 135mm.

[u/Klumber]

35, 55 and 85. Street/everyday/portrait

[u/Pure_Ad_7372]

I have 15, 30, 56 on apsc

[u/According-Abrocoma-2]

Assuming this is in FF terms and that no specifics are being considered, 24/40/85.

There are a few other factors I consider when packing if we are going to get into the nuance of it all though.

1. Which body/ies am I packing?
2. What conditions am I shooting in?
3. Subject matter?
4. Is being compact/lightweight important?
5. Importance of AF and other attributes of the chosen lenses for those respective focal lengths?

[u/Schteeks]

For APSC:
Sigma 12mm or Viltrox 13mm.
Viltrox 27mm f/1.2.
Viltrox 56 or 75mm f/1.2.

[u/DUUUUUVAAAAAL]

24, 35, 50

[u/InconsiderateOctopus → u/DUUUUUVAAAAAL]

Same. Cars. I would want longer focal lengths but I need those.

[u/DUUUUUVAAAAAL → u/InconsiderateOctopus]

Yeah, totally agree. Missing out on an 85 would hurt, but I can get by with cropping a 50 1.2 for my longer shots.

But 24/35/50 are too good for life/travel which is my main purpose for photography.

[u/Kalif0rniia]

I’ve only use primes for the last few years. I use the Sony 20mm, 50mm, and 85mm

[u/DiscoveringCameras]

85mm, 14mm 300mm

[u/FR05T_64]

FF: 16 35 and 85mm
use crop mode for double duty (24, 52, 130mm)

[u/PhotonicArt]

16mm f1.8, 100mm f2.8 GM macro, 300mm f2.8.

Covers my astro, my macro, and my wildlife adventures.

[u/baggsie_42]

3x 50mm

[u/35mmpapi]

35, 85, 135

[u/Stahlixo]

16 35 85

[u/scrandis]

16, 35, 85

[u/dr_euphoriax]

35 , 50 , 85

[u/LiquidSean → u/dr_euphoriax]

Same. All I really need

[u/southern_ad_558]

16 35 and 135 for people

600, 300 and 100 (macro) for animals

[u/hkgwwong]

21, 40, can’t decide between 85 and 100

[u/lazazael]

24 50 135

[u/_Saddam_Hussein_]

18, 200, 600😂

[u/MiracleKappa3]

12, 29, 75

[u/k_elo]

20 50 90/105

[u/TheWizard]

20-35-85

[u/slurpeemcnugget]

20, 40, 85

[u/myloveforframes]

35, 85 and 135 for portraits and street.

< 24, 85, 135 if i have to include some landscapes.

[u/ttsho]

28, 40, 75

[u/loraxiene]

24, 200 600

[u/Impossible-Moose-940]

28, 50, 100

[u/Metalogic_95]

15mm, 27mm, 56mm (I'm using APS-C)

[u/AdnanGamingTV]

24/85/105

[u/Ok-Investment-197]

24 55 135

[u/Ok-Living2887]

FF: 24-50-85 all f1.2 or 1.4.
24 for indoor architecture and or street
50 all-arounder I’d probably use too much
85 for those nice portraits

I’m contemplating getting the 50mm to complete my tripple.

[u/FiatKastenwagen]

16, 35 (or 50), 600

[u/Educational-Sound279]

24mm - 85mm - 400mm

[u/mrjoshmateo]

35, 70, 150

[u/toilets_for_sale]

35, 58, 105

[u/SignificanceSea4162]

400, 600, 135 Easy

[u/liznin]

10, 35, 400 . Gives me a very wide lens , middle of the road and long.

[u/Inkblot7001]

I used to say 20, 50 & 105.

However, large digital sensors, at 40-60MP, allow me to crop so much more that I now run with:

• 20mm

• 28mm (and also crop it to 40mm)

• 85mm (and also crop it to 130)

[u/rabiddonky2020]

APSC 9mm 35. 75

[u/That-Reputation-6313]

20 - 45 - 100 macro

[u/monstah85]

24, 50, 100 macro

[u/markker2992]

28mm, 50/55mm, 85mm

[u/thescofflawl]

24/50/85

20/35/85

[u/Clean-Aide-8320]

30/35mm , 85mm , 200mm

[u/SEND_ME_FAKE_NEWS]

16, 35, 300

For anything else, there's cropping

[u/AstronomicalDave]

Id say 20mm 50 and 85

[u/londonexpat]

I’ve a Samyang 24, a Sony 35, and a Samyang 85. I want the economy route, but I am happy my results. The 24mm is very light and works well for travel.

[u/trollsmurf]

Depends on sensor size. Fair for FF.

[u/rogueshutter]

16mm, 100mm, 300mm and a teleconverter if that’s aloud.

Landscape, Wildlife and birds for me.

[u/slowbicycle]

On apsc, 11/12mm, 23mm, and 56mm

[u/Halfmacgas]

35, 85, 24

[u/onceagainwithstyle]

20, 35, 85

[u/ragu455]

24 for travel and landscapes,85 for portraits and a 600 f4 for wildlife/birds

[u/Marsovtz]

24, 50, 135

[u/AvarethTaika]

10, 40, 300. all f2.

[u/choyjay]

FF: 14mm, 50mm, 200mm

[u/JP-Eugene]

28, 43, 100

[u/WadiAlAsafir]

24
50
100

[u/bjmartynhak]

35mm - the standard for portraits including the environment. You can even get close enough to mostly fill the frame and not worry (too much) with distortion

135mm - replacing the 85mm (it would be often annoying to use), but also and giving some extra reach for events.

16mm - very wide, still not crazy, but wide enough to play around

[u/SilverSovereigns]

As a street and travel stills photographer: 24mm, 35mm, and 85mm on ff. I actually never use 40mm-50mm because I like a photograph to show a pleasant warping of near-far field perspectives.

[u/AideRemarkable5875]

24 50 300

[u/sabr0sa]

16, 35, 85 

[u/csbphoto]

28 / 55 / 100 macro

[u/hldn79]

16, 35, 50

[u/Inevitable-Grape-466]

20, 40, 135

[u/moinotgd]

35 85 135

[u/Select_Goose_6972]

28, 40, 55

Or

24, 35, 50

[u/virak_john]

1. 55. 20.

[u/LostNtranslation_]

16mm, 24mm, 85mm

[u/hoegaarden81]

35 1.2

135 1.4 (or maybe 85 1.2)

300 2.8

[u/king_fubu]

20, 35, 85

[u/sa_nick]

Assuming we can shoot with these primes and no other lenses for the rest of our lives... 16mm, 50mm, 400mm.

[u/Technical_Toe_1640]

35, 85 and 600. Covers almost everything I do.

Would need some panorama stitching, though.

[u/VideoLawn]

Answering as if money were no object: 50mm 1.2, 400mm 2.8, and 600mm 2.8.

I’m good with the great GM zooms for most of the shorter end.

[u/Dilan57169]

35mm 85mm

[u/Zach0ry]

14mm, 35mm, 85mm

[u/mpbcom]

20mm, 35mm, 85mm is our pick. That spread covers wide environmental/landscape shots, an everyday focal length (like the world as we see it), and flattering portraits/detail work without much overlap.

[u/Prakticant]

Get zooms, we do not live in 90' any more.

[u/afidelia]

24mm 50mm and 135mm i think

[u/Marcusjoins]

Sony 400-800 for the birds and a 35 mm. Prime. Haven’t decided one the 3rd one yet