10 Best Lenses of All Time

My Favorite Lenses Over the Years

In this video, the speaker discusses their favorite lenses over the years. These lenses may not necessarily be the best optical performers but have had a significant impact on their career or hold sentimental value.

Terry Warfield as Guest and Introduction

• Terry Warfield joins as a guest to help with the list of favorite lenses.

• The audience is encouraged to share their favorite lenses in the comments.

• Nostalgia plays a role in lens preferences, as certain lenses remind individuals of specific situations or periods in their lives.

Favorite Lenses and Sentimental Value

• Lenses can represent a time in one's life and hold more significance than just optical performance.

• The first lens on the list is the 50mm f/1.2 G Master, which is loved for its sharpness and bokeh despite being a large lens.

• The Canon EF 24-105 f/4 L IS USM is mentioned as a workhorse lens that exceeded expectations in terms of sharpness and versatility.

• A newer version of this lens, RF 24-105 f/2.8, is discussed briefly but noted for its larger size and price.

Terry's Lens Choice - Minolta 70-210 f/4 Beercan

• Terry's choice is an old school Minolta lens, specifically the 70-210 f/4 Beercan.

• This lens may not be the sharpest but has character and unique swirly bokeh reminiscent of Helios lenses.

• It holds nostalgic value for Terry and remains on his shelf without any intention to sell it.

Timestamps are provided where available to assist with studying the transcript.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses their lens preferences and shares stories about their favorite lenses.

Lens Preferences

• The speaker mentions a lens with nostalgic value, although it may not be the best technically.

• The speaker's number two favorite lens is the Sony 20mm f/1.8, which they had great photo sessions with and enjoyed its field of view for architecture photography.

• They share a story about taking a picture of the Chrysler building in New York City with this lens and being impressed by its performance.

• The speaker highlights how this lens became their go-to for studio tours and values lenses that have helped them along the way rather than collecting dust on a shelf.

New Section

In this section, the speaker talks about another favorite lens - the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 - and explains why they appreciate its compact size and balance.

Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8

• The speaker acknowledges that while it may not be the sharpest tool in the box, they appreciate its small size and lightweight design.

• They mention using it on gimbals and appreciating that its balance doesn't change when zooming in or out, eliminating the need for recalibration.

• However, they note that it feels cheap and plasticky compared to other lenses from Tamron that have received updates.

New Section

In this section, the speaker mentions a giveaway by Tamron for their 20-40mm f/2.8 zoom lens and discusses their experience with it.

Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Zoom Lens

• The speaker mentions that they reviewed this lens in the past and highlights its lightweight design and balance on gimbals.

• They mention the VXD linear motors for precise and fast autofocus, as well as the usefulness of Tamron's lens utility.

• The giveaway is open to residents of the USA and Canada, but Canon or Nikon DSLR users can enter by substituting for Tamron's SP 35mm 1.4 lens since the 20-40mm is only for mirrorless cameras.

New Section

In this section, the speaker provides details about entering the Tamron giveaway and announces when the winner will be announced.

Tamron Giveaway

• The speaker encourages viewers to enter the giveaway using the link in the description below. Entry starts today and closes on December 10th, 2023.

• The winner will be announced by both the speaker and Tamron on December 11th on social media, as well as notified by email. No purchase is necessary to participate.

New Section

In this section, the speaker introduces another favorite lens - the Tamron 35-150mm - and demonstrates its versatility.

Tamron 35-150mm Lens

• The speaker showcases Terry's face being shot with this lens set at approximately 85mm focal length. They highlight its versatility in terms of zoom range from wide-angle to telephoto.

• They demonstrate how it can capture intimate shots while also providing a wider field of view when needed.

• The speaker initially had reservations about the lens due to its variable aperture, but they appreciate that it can be used as separate lenses with different focal lengths.

New Section

In this section, the speaker concludes their discussion on the Tamron 35-150mm lens and its unique features.

Tamron 35-150mm Lens (Continued)

• The speaker mentions using the lens at different focal lengths for specific purposes, such as using it as a 35mm f/2 or an 85mm f/2.8 for video. They appreciate its versatility in meeting various shooting needs.

The Versatility of a Variable Zoom Aperture

In this section, the speakers discuss the versatility of a lens with a variable zoom aperture and its wide range of focal lengths.

The Benefits of a Variable Zoom Aperture

• A lens with a variable zoom aperture offers a wide gamut of focal lengths.

• It covers a range that is traditionally used on a day-to-day basis.

• It provides extra wide capabilities compared to lenses like 70-200mm.

Trade-offs and Considerations

• While the lens is versatile, it is also large and heavy.

• However, the trade-off is worth it as it eliminates the need to carry multiple lenses.

• For certain applications, such as video shooting, having one large lens permanently mounted on the camera can be beneficial.

Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master Lens

In this section, the speakers discuss the Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master lens and its unique characteristics.

The Magical Look of the Lens

• The photos and B-roll footage captured with the Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master lens have a magical quality that is hard to replicate.

• It offers sharpness, high quality, and compactness in its design.

Focus Breathing as a Drawback

• One major drawback of this lens is focus breathing, which causes changes in focal length during focusing.

• While newer cameras have breathing compensation features to combat this issue, it may result in some cropping.

Comparing Two 35mm Lenses: Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master vs. Sony 35mm f/1.8

In this section, the speakers compare two different versions of Sony's 35mm lenses and their suitability for video shooting.

Choosing Between the Lenses

• The Sony 35mm f/1.8 lens is preferred for video shooting due to its lack of focus breathing and its affordability.

• It offers excellent value for money and is compact in size.

• On the other hand, the Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master lens also has breathing issues but compensates with exceptional image quality.

Close Focusing Capability

• The speakers highlight the advantage of the 35mm lenses in terms of close focusing ability.

• The Sony 35mm lenses allow photographers to get extremely close to subjects, creating unique and surreal images.

Unique Characteristics of the Sony 35mm f/1.8 Lens

In this section, the speakers discuss the distinctive features of the Sony 35mm f/1.8 lens.

Unconventional Design

• The Sony 35mm f/1.8 lens has a unique shape and does not fit the form factor of other Sony lenses.

• It has a small front filter diameter compared to other lenses.

Comparisons with Food Packaging

• The speakers humorously compare certain lenses' designs to sliced olive cans or beercans.

Focus Breathing Compensation and Image Quality

In this section, the speakers discuss how focus breathing compensation affects lens performance and image quality.

Focus Breathing Compensation

• Focus breathing compensation helps mitigate focus breathing issues in certain lenses.

• However, it may result in some cropping when used with newer cameras.

Image Quality Comparison

• Despite focus breathing concerns, both the Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master lens and ARRI Signature Prime offer exceptional image quality.

• The compact size of these lenses is impressive considering their high performance capabilities.

Choosing Between 35mm and 50mm Lenses

In this section, the speakers discuss their preferences between 35mm and 50mm lenses based on close focusing capabilities.

Close Focusing Preference

• The speaker prefers the 35mm lens over the 50mm lens due to its ability to focus closely.

• The unique perspectives achieved with close focusing make it a preferred choice for certain types of photography.

Capturing Unique Details with Close Focusing

In this section, the speakers elaborate on the advantages of close focusing and capturing intricate details.

Getting Up Close

• The speaker enjoys getting up close to subjects during photo walks, capturing unique details like bark textures.

• The Sony G Master lens allows for extremely close focusing without sacrificing image quality or sharpness.

Surreal Effects

• By combining wide-angle perspectives with shallow depth of field, photographers can create surreal and visually interesting images.

• The Sony G Master lens excels in providing these effects without compromising image quality.

Timestamps are approximate and may vary slightly.

The Sigma 18-35mm Lens

In this section, the speakers discuss the Sigma 18-35mm lens and its features.

Sigma 18-35mm Lens

• The Sigma 18-35mm lens is considered a mindblowing lens, despite being a crop sensor lens.

• It has an aperture of f/1.8, which is impressive for a crop lens.

• When used on a full-frame camera, it still performs well beyond the typical focal length range.

• There is a desire for Sigma to create an updated version of this lens for E-mount cameras.

The Need for an Updated Version

In this section, the speakers discuss the need for an updated version of the Sigma 18-35mm lens.

Remaking the Lens

• The speakers believe that Sigma should remake the 18-35mm lens with improvements and updates.

• While acknowledging its legendary status, they mention that one drawback is its size and weight.

Personal Experience with the Lens

In this section, one speaker shares their personal experience using the Sigma 18-35mm lens.

Using it with Blackmagic Pocket 4K

• The speaker used the Sigma 18-35mm lens extensively during their time with a Blackmagic Pocket 4K camera.

• They mention that many people followed a similar setup: Micro Four Thirds camera, Metabones Speed Booster, and the Sigma 18-35mm lens.

Support and Limitations

In this section, support options and limitations of using the Sigma 18-35mm lens are discussed.

Supporting Setup

• Due to its size and weight when combined with other equipment, such as a Speed Booster, support systems are often necessary.

• The speaker shares their experience of having the lens and mount supported by a cage on their Blackmagic Pocket 4K camera.

Limitations with Other Mounts

• The versatility and benefits of using the Sigma 18-35mm lens are limited to EF mounts, as other mounts cannot utilize speed boosters or achieve the same results.

The Lens's Impact

In this section, the speakers discuss the impact and importance of the Sigma 18-35mm lens.

Legendary Status

• Despite its limitations, the Sigma 18-35mm lens is considered an important lens in many photographers' journeys.

• Its versatility, fast aperture, and image quality make it highly regarded among users.

The Niche Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 Lens

In this section, one speaker introduces the niche Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 lens.

Unique Features

• The Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 lens is a niche and unique option that not many people may be familiar with.

• It offers a constant aperture of f/2.8 throughout its zoom range from 120mm to 300mm.

Ruggedness and Performance

In this section, the speaker discusses the ruggedness and performance of the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 lens.

Rugged Build Quality

• The speaker describes how sturdy and ruggedly built the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 lens is.

• They share an anecdote about how it survived being struck by a hockey puck without any damage.

Sport Version with Stabilization

• This particular version of the lens is known as the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 DG OS Sport, which includes optical stabilization.

• The speaker mentions that Sigma differentiated their lenses with silver circles during a transition period.

Comparison and Discontinuation

In this section, the speaker compares the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 lens to other options and discusses its discontinuation.

Comparing to Canon

• The speaker compares the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 lens to a Canon 300mm lens, noting that the Sigma option was more affordable and offered zoom capabilities.

Discontinued Status

• While it is unclear if the lens is still in production, the speaker mentions that there may not be much demand for it anymore due to advancements in other lenses and teleconverters.

Unique Shooting Capabilities

In this section, the speaker highlights unique shooting capabilities of the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 lens.

Versatility for Sports Photography

• The speaker emphasizes how using this lens allowed them to capture shots that others couldn't achieve.

• They describe scenarios where they could quickly switch from capturing distant action at 300mm to capturing candid moments at 120mm by panning across the scene.

Weight and Specialized Use

In this section, the speakers discuss the weight of the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 lens and its specialized use cases.

Heavyweight Lens

• Due to its size and weight, using a monopod or tripod is necessary when shooting with the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 lens.

Specialized Usage Scenarios

• The speakers mention that this lens excels in specific scenarios like sports photography but may not have as much relevance in current times due to advancements in other lenses and teleconverters.

These notes provide a comprehensive summary of the transcript, highlighting key points and insights discussed by the speakers.

New Section

In this section, the speakers discuss a sought-after lens and its compatibility with different camera brands.

The Availability of a Sought-After Lens

• The speaker mentions that the Nikon version of a particular lens is no longer available.

• They talk about someone who bought the lens and planned to use it with their Nikon camera by getting it modified at Sigma.

Description of the Lens

• The lens is described as feeling extremely cold, like ice cubes.

• Both speakers agree on its quality and desirability.

New Section

In this section, one of the speakers mentions an honorable mention for their favorite lens and discovers that the other speaker had also considered including it in their list.

Honorable Mention: Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro Lens

• One speaker gives an honorable mention to the Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro lens.

• The other speaker reveals that they were going to include this lens in their own list.

• They both express amusement at this coincidence.

New Section

This section focuses on discussing the features and benefits of the Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro lens.

Features and Benefits of Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro Lens

• The lens is praised for being versatile, serving as both a good portrait lens and a macro lens.

• Its focal length of 90mm at f/2.8 makes it suitable for portraits.

• It offers true 1-to-1 macro capabilities with a focus clutch built into it.

• The speakers highlight its sharpness, especially in the center.

• They mention that while other lenses may have close focusing abilities, this lens provides true macro capabilities.

• The lens has built-in stabilization, although it is noted that it can be noisy.

• The autofocus is also mentioned to be noisy and not the fastest.

New Section

In this section, one speaker expresses that the Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro lens would have been their favorite at one point.

Former Favorite Lens

• One speaker mentions that the Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro lens would have been their favorite Sony lens at some point.

• They express gratitude for being invited to the show and enjoy spending time with the other speaker.

New Section

This section involves a discussion about doing an outro for the show and recalling a previous interaction on another channel.

Doing an Outro and Recalling Previous Interaction

• The speakers talk about doing an outro for the show.

• They recall a previous interaction where one of them did their outro on the other's channel.

• There is some humor regarding remembering the exact words of the outro.