Which Lens?

The most common question I get asked is, “Which Lens?” We all have a kit of lenses, if you’re like me, the kit changes some year to year. For example, the Z24-70f2.8 in the photo above has been replaced with the new Z24-70f2.8II and the addition of the Z180-600. When I head out to shoot, I don’t take the entire locker, just select lenses I feel I’ll use on that shoot. There’s the first answer to the question, “Which Lens?” The bigger question comes when you’re in the field and you need to select just ONE and right NOW! Folks ask me this question as if I have THE answer and THE answer for EVERYONE! I don’t! Let’s set this record straight. No one has THE answer for themselves all the time let alone for every photographer all the time! Ever gone to a restaurant with a group of friends? Everyone has the same menu handed to them, the same selections. There will be those who ask the waitress, “What do you like best?” Or there is the question, “What do you like to eat here?” There is always a variety of answers. Why would one think lens selection is any more cut and dry than ordering off a menu? We all have different tastes, dietary restrictions, budget, that’s life and what makes us all individuals. The same holds true for selecting THE lens for a moment. If you don’t know which lens, you can always rent to see what they see for what you want to see but this still doesn’t answer THE question THE moment you want to go click. It could be that the only right answer comes from within, what your mind and heart, when connected, brings to light for your storytelling. Perhaps just think of AWE, what brings that to the viewfinder when asking, which lens?