One Lens Challenge for Landscapes?

In another thread on this forum, Chris Chamberlain mentioned that he has only one lens, and has used it for six years! In looking at the images he's posted, and the prints I have seen, his results are a perfect example of understanding and using a piece of equipment to its fullest.

So, this got me to thinking that I should challenge myself by using only one lens for a period of time. How about you?

Here's the challege:

Pick one lens from your kit and use it exclusively for some period of time. The period of time should be chosen such that you will be able to really wring as much from that one lens, and yourself, as you can.

If all you have are zooms, pick a single focal length and use it exclusively.

Preferably, you should choose a focal length that you have not used extensively in the past.

No welching allowed!

After your 'one lens' challenge period is over, look carefully at what you have produced and then ask yourself some questions...

1. Which types of scenes look best, and which types of scenes weren't really well suited for my lens of choice?
2. Did my seeing change or improve?
3. Would I repeat the 'one lens' challenge with another lens/focal length?

I have five lenses in my 4x5 kit. All I have to do is pick one, and have at it! The challenge should be fun...and enlightening.

How about you? What are your thoughts?

--P

On My Fuji panoramic camera, I have just one lens, and have never desired anything other than it. It's great to walk around and find compositions that work with just the one lens.

On my 4x5, I have only 2 lenses... wide and long. Again, I don't have any desire for anything else.

I'm a firm believer that limitation breeds creativity.

I think it sounds quite interesting. Think I'll pick something at one end or the other of my zoom and see what happens. My time frame will be two weeks. I'll let you know how that turns out. Thanks, Preston, for an interesting challenge.

Since I've been shooting with a fixed lens camera for 9 years (the sum total of my photography experience) I think I need to reverse the process to get a reasonable comparison. I'll need to buy an interchangeable lens camera and a few lenses (my plans for the near future) and see whether it improves my photography. I'm sure I will be adding a few wider angle landscapes, a few telephoto landscapes and lots of wildlife photos to my repertoire so I'm sure I will improve my variety if not my quality.

Interesting idea. Since I've been in a creative slump lately maybe I'll give it a go. I have a 35mm 1.8 prime that I rarely use and it would be the obvious choice. However, what if I happen upon the scene of a lifetime and don't have the proper lens? Or, since I feel I am in a slump maybe it would be best to have the entire kit just in case I get inspired.
Man, I don't know.

I shot with a fixed lens Fuji 645 as my main camera for a couple of years. Maybe it's just me, but I don't really think it improved my photo eye. I would come on scenes in travels to places or in light situations that would probably not be repeated and often wished for wider or longer perspectives. What I did think was helpful was my 4X5 days when I had three lenses to pick from but only a handful of loaded sheets to expose. Some of my personal favorites were from my 4X5. Unfortunately I've gotten older and my knees, back and patience just aren't up to the large format gear. I'm all digital now.

I also played with a handful of old MF folders. I think they were the most fun cameras I've used, though maybe not the best for good photos. I've just started looking at getting a 6X9 folder again as a second "fun" camera so may joun the challenge in a round about way.

I have been preaching that concept for years. I went six years with one lens and only made contact prints. I tend to only go out with one lens, its usually one of my prime macros. All lenses have a sweet spot, it takes time to discover it. The "single lens therapy" is what I call it and I believe it can help photographers, especially ones in a slump.

I started shooting in the 70's with a used Nikon F and a 50mm lens. That lasted for many years, as it was all I could afford. I was jealous of the guys who had several lenses (all primes back then), but looking back, I think having only one lens probably was a good thing as it allowed me to concentrate on learning to see for that one lens. Anyway, I took your challenge this morning and went out with just one (28-70). I left it on 28mm and actually used my feet to zoom in or out as needed. Enjoyed the freedom of it.

So far, I have never believed that being creative has anything to do with equipment -- either too much or it or even too little of it. So I would love to hear why folks think that restricting oneself to a single fixed focus lens or a single zoom range is going to improve their photography.

I would never limit myself to one lens because of the opportunities I might miss. I generally carry two with me at all times and if im not carrying 80 lbs on my back hiking some distance I might add one more. But If I could only shoot with one lens it would be the canon 24-105. Having said that I have been using the Canon 14mm L2 for almost all my recent work. So in a way I have sort of done this assignment. I love the 14 and I guess could live if that is all there was in life.

I would have another couple of lenses too, If I could afford what I want! I do have an 80-400 that I have not used in years. It was damaged and even after repair, has never been quite up to par. So I have a nice paper weight now. I have been wanting to upgrade to full frame for some years now. For various reasons, that has not been doable. I have not added any more DX lenses to the line up because I don't want to spend any money on a lens I won't use with a new camera. The new 70-200 is something I'd love to get, but the 2400.00 price tag is kind of steep. The lucky thing for me is that the 18-70mm I have is a pretty verstile range for landscapes, so I have gotten away with it. Some may disagree, but I would not sacrifice more than half my focal length in order to have 2 more mm on the short end. But that just suits my style I guess. More and more lately, my burning desire to upgrade is waning. I can't afford what i want, and I'm not willing to spend 4-5 grand in a settle for less situation. So, I'm seriously considering the new D7000. I'll probably hold out through summer and see if Nikon does something to close the gap with the 5dII. If they don't don't, I'll make a decision. The problem for me is I want to make bigger prints and a jump from 10 to 12 mp isn't enough. So I hope Nikon gets the message, I'm here by putting them on notice

Thanks Preston, for the mention!

Chris

Roger--

I've been shooting with 6x9 folders for the past year. I have a 1914 kodak Special and a 1937 Voigtlander Bessa. The Bessa is a ton of fun! Very compact and well built. I only shoot b&w so I carry colored filters. What I suggest is either a Bessa 6x9 or a Mess Ikonta. The Mess Ikonta has an uncoupled rangefinder that works well. The Super Ikonta has a coupled rangefinder, but the viewfinders are very dark and hard to use. The antistigmat lenses (3-element) have less flare and are a bit easier to work with. If you go with a 1950s vintage, the lenses are coated (Voigtlander color Skopar.) The cameras are reasonable on eBay, but ask the seller to guarantee it is light tight on the bellows. Zeiss & Voigtlanders have generally held up well.

As for the one lens deal, might be fun for some, but I work the opposite way. I previsualize an image, then figure out what gear I need to take it. I have done a lot of shooting with the Bessa and Kodak Special (and a 1959 Brownie) this past year, all are equiv. 50mm normal lenses. The creative part for me was how to get around the challenges of using 75 yr. old gear. I did get some very nice shots. I'm now shooting with a ~150 yr. old Derogy lens on my 4x5.


Kent in SD

Kent, Thanks for the good folder advice! I have wondered about the 3 element lenses and that helps. Both of the 645 folders I picked up on eBay previously had light leaks and slow shutter speeds, so was discouraged. I'll probably go with a 6X9 from Jurgen Kreckel (certo6.com). He replaces the bellows when needed and CLAs the lenses and they are still relatively reasonable.

So I would love to hear why folks think that restricting oneself to a single fixed focus lens or a single zoom range is going to improve their photography.

Anil - For some people it may not work. For others, removing the distraction of too many choices will both let you think about images more clearly and force you to consider things you hadn't before. The Online Photographer article above also suggests shooting B&W film so that color isn't even an option, and you're forced to focus on the light - again limiting choices and options, or forcing you to think differently.

A lot of people probably wouldn't get anything out of that. But I bet a lot would.

FWIW, I'd think you'd want to go to a single focal length - not a range; And maybe set the camera on B&W. Some folks have mentioned not wanting to give up on certain zoom related lengths, etc. But that's the entire point - it's not to somehow make the images you're taking now a little better. It's to force you into a less comfortable zone, to do something different, learn more about how the camera sees a scene, and hopefully learn something.

Good idea, Preston, even if Chris' one lens is a zoom! As long as I can remember, the 50 mm lens has been the standard, and referred to as such (in the 35mm and fullframe digicam world). However, my pick would be a 21mm, since I like my ZE21 so much. For my 4x5 work it would be my Rody 90mm.