There is a current “Show us your camera” thread, and there had been an earlier one back in 2020, and whilst some people posted lens info in that older thread, and some camera pics in the current one include lenses, I don’t recall seeing a thread dedicated to lenses, even though arguably in terms of image quality lenses are more important than the remainder of the camera. So, thinking of interchangeable lens cameras, this is an invitation to show what you use, or have used, and maybe give some idea of what is good or bad about them.
To kick off, these are my current lenses, all Canon EF fit, which I now use on my Canon R mirrorless camera (via an EF-RF adapter):
Sigma 12-24 f/4.5-5.6 DG. Wideangle zoom, great for landscapes etc, significantly less costly than Canon’s equivalent.
Canon 24-105 f/4 L IS ii. My ‘stock’ lens, standard zoom, this is what I take for general purpose use. Image stabilisation makes it easily usable handheld.
Canon 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS ii. Bought for, or at least justified by, a safari holiday. Although of course better on a tripod, the mk ii image stabilisation aids its usability handheld, though on the safari in an often moving vehicle a high shutter speed was necessary anyway. Its camouflage cover was not primarily for camouflage - after all in a moving jeep the lens is unlikely to be the main cause of being noticed -but because I do not want to carry something that immediately informs as to value and identity, and that is wherever I go. Something I haven’t tried yet, but have high hopes for, is astrophotography using this lens, e.g. for nebulae.
I also have another and very interesting lens, though not used for some time:
Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6 DO. Remarkably compact and relatively light - prime considerations in my choosing to buy it - this lens is one of only two (I think) Diffraction Optic models Canon produced in EF fit (the other was a 400 prime, and now in RF fit they have a 600 and an 800). However, despite having read good reviews of its performance I was always disappointed with the sharpness of images, so eventually sold it. The buyer complained there was a problem, claiming to be familiar with the lens, and provided enough supporting info for me to take seriously, so it was returned. I sent to Canon for repair - and it came back performing better than it ever had! My original thought was to evaluate which of this and the 100-400 to keep after the safari, but still haven’t done so. Whilst the latter is sharper and with a longer maximum, it is much larger and heavier so less likely to be carried unless for something very specific - on the other hand having found how good it is to use I don’t want to let it go! In essence I just have to decide whether or not I’m actually going to get any more use out of this 70-100 DO and if not dispose of it.
There are knock-offs on the infamous auction site.
