So how many lenses do I actually need?
Derek Smith • 9 June 2021
So, how many lenses do you actually need?
This blog post was prompted by an F-Stoppers article about lenses for interchangeable lens cameras.
For many photographers one lens, the 24-70mm equivalent focal length zoom lens will be sufficient to cover most genres of photography, from nearly macro, close-up photos, to landscape, and portraiture. A possible disadvantage might be the variable aperture of this zoom lens, constant aperture lenses are usually available for most camera systems at extra cost, but are larger, and heavier than the variable aperture versions. Some camera manufacturers offer the choice of a standard “kit” zoom lens, or a constant aperture zoom lens at a higher cost when purchasing a new camera, buy the constant aperture zoom lens, you will not regret it.
What lens should I purchase next?
To answer to this question, a photographer will need to analyse the type of photography of interest.
Prime lens - For portraiture, street photography, or low light situations, such as social gatherings a prime lens (fixed focal length) may well be the perfect answer. How to choose the correct focal length when buying a prime lens? This is where the zoom lens is most helpful, look through a selection of your favourite photos, and ask yourself what is my favourite topic of photography? What focal length do I use most often? Many photographers use a 50mm equivalent focal length prime, the “nifty fifty”, often quite inexpensive, especially in a f/1.8 version. For my personal needs I prefer a 35mm equivalent focal length, very useful indoors at social gatherings, environmental street photography, and portraiture. My 35mm equivalent lens is wedded to an elderly range finder camera, and is always with me on trips, usually tucked in a pocket!! A dedicated portrait photographer might well choose the 85mm equivalent focal length lens, very flattering for portraits, rendering the background suitably blurred, ideal for studio, and outdoor locations.
Macro photography – For close-up photos of the natural world, a macro lens is very useful, before splashing several hundred pounds on a dedicated macro lens though, see how close the zoom lens will get to the subject, also consider an inexpensive set of extension tubes. On an APS-C sensor Sony camera I achieved reasonable results with a 90mm equivalent focal length lens, and extension tubes. Typically, a macro lens will have an equivalent focal length of around 100mm thus giving the required magnification, and 1:1 ratio ensuring that the subject is the same size, or greater in the viewfinder.
Telephoto lens – Usually building on from the standard zoom lens, a 70 – 200mm equivalent focal length zoom, is ideal for travel, and landscape photographers. For dedicated wildlife, and bird photography a longer equivalent focal length of up to 600mm may be more useful.
So, what is in my camera bag?
I have a dedicated camera bag containing my Olympus OM-D E-M5 iii camera, with a 12-40mm Pro lens, constant aperture f/2.8 (equivalent 24 – 80mm), and a 40 – 150mm Pro lens, constant aperture f/2.8 (equivalent 80 – 300mm) as well as a 2 times teleconverter. This camera, and lens set is fully weatherproof, with 5 axis in body stabilisation, and provides an equivalent focal length range of 24 – 600mm, most of my general photography needs are covered with the one camera body, and just two lenses
In another bag I have my dedicated portrait lenses the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (equivalent 60mm focal length), and the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 (equivalent 112mm focal length) the Olympus 17mm f/1.8 (equivalent 34mm focal length) and lastly the Olympus 60mm f/2.8 macro lens (equivalent focal length 120mm) and two camera bodies the elderly Olympus PEN E-PL7 rangefinder camera, and an Olympus OM-D E-M10 iii.
So how many lenses do I need?
This blog post was prompted by an F-Stoppers article about lenses for interchangeable lens cameras.
For many photographers one lens, the 24-70mm equivalent focal length zoom lens will be sufficient to cover most genres of photography, from nearly macro, close-up photos, to landscape, and portraiture. A possible disadvantage might be the variable aperture of this zoom lens, constant aperture lenses are usually available for most camera systems at extra cost, but are larger, and heavier than the variable aperture versions. Some camera manufacturers offer the choice of a standard “kit” zoom lens, or a constant aperture zoom lens at a higher cost when purchasing a new camera, buy the constant aperture zoom lens, you will not regret it.
What lens should I purchase next?
To answer to this question, a photographer will need to analyse the type of photography of interest.
Prime lens - For portraiture, street photography, or low light situations, such as social gatherings a prime lens (fixed focal length) may well be the perfect answer. How to choose the correct focal length when buying a prime lens? This is where the zoom lens is most helpful, look through a selection of your favourite photos, and ask yourself what is my favourite topic of photography? What focal length do I use most often? Many photographers use a 50mm equivalent focal length prime, the “nifty fifty”, often quite inexpensive, especially in a f/1.8 version. For my personal needs I prefer a 35mm equivalent focal length, very useful indoors at social gatherings, environmental street photography, and portraiture. My 35mm equivalent lens is wedded to an elderly range finder camera, and is always with me on trips, usually tucked in a pocket!! A dedicated portrait photographer might well choose the 85mm equivalent focal length lens, very flattering for portraits, rendering the background suitably blurred, ideal for studio, and outdoor locations.
Macro photography – For close-up photos of the natural world, a macro lens is very useful, before splashing several hundred pounds on a dedicated macro lens though, see how close the zoom lens will get to the subject, also consider an inexpensive set of extension tubes. On an APS-C sensor Sony camera I achieved reasonable results with a 90mm equivalent focal length lens, and extension tubes. Typically, a macro lens will have an equivalent focal length of around 100mm thus giving the required magnification, and 1:1 ratio ensuring that the subject is the same size, or greater in the viewfinder.
Telephoto lens – Usually building on from the standard zoom lens, a 70 – 200mm equivalent focal length zoom, is ideal for travel, and landscape photographers. For dedicated wildlife, and bird photography a longer equivalent focal length of up to 600mm may be more useful.
So, what is in my camera bag?
I have a dedicated camera bag containing my Olympus OM-D E-M5 iii camera, with a 12-40mm Pro lens, constant aperture f/2.8 (equivalent 24 – 80mm), and a 40 – 150mm Pro lens, constant aperture f/2.8 (equivalent 80 – 300mm) as well as a 2 times teleconverter. This camera, and lens set is fully weatherproof, with 5 axis in body stabilisation, and provides an equivalent focal length range of 24 – 600mm, most of my general photography needs are covered with the one camera body, and just two lenses
In another bag I have my dedicated portrait lenses the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (equivalent 60mm focal length), and the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 (equivalent 112mm focal length) the Olympus 17mm f/1.8 (equivalent 34mm focal length) and lastly the Olympus 60mm f/2.8 macro lens (equivalent focal length 120mm) and two camera bodies the elderly Olympus PEN E-PL7 rangefinder camera, and an Olympus OM-D E-M10 iii.
So how many lenses do I need?
Cardinal Beetle
Photo By: Derek Smith
Sony NEX 3, Sigma 60mm with extension tubes.
Alan
Photo By: Derek Smith
Olympus 12-40mm zoom at 25mm, and f/2.8
Egret
Photo By: Derek Smith
Olympus 40-150mm zoom with x2 telconverter, at 300mm f/5.6.
Broadbank
Photo By: Derek Smith
Olympus 17mm lens
Louth Photographic Society
Good Morning All Last week we held our AGM and presentation night, it was well attended and the night went very well. Members filled all the posts, and we had all the reports from the various officers, all is well with our club, and we can expect a good year ahead. This week, Wednesday 13th May, Steve Dixey is the speaker coming to our club for the first time, Steve specialises in coastal photography, and it will be an excellent night. Don't forget to send your PDI images for the next competition, with the categories of "Landscapes with Water" and "Open" to Harry by midnight Wednesday. Remember also to send me your menu choices for the annual meal. Regards Graham
Last night we held our AGM, it was a productive meeting, with re-election of officers, and Committe members. Following the AGM, members with the highest points from the monthly competitions were presented with trophies.
Good afternoon, All, Last week we held a charity night in aid of Cancer Research as two of our members had passed away over the last two years from the disease. There is a blog on our website with all that went on but can I say a big thank you to all members for supporting the evening and far exceeding my expectations of how much we would raise. On the evening it stood at £333 then a generous donation from Harvey Pipe took it over £350 mark. Paul Twomey and his wife Cathy kindly donated to Cancer research taking it to just over £400, a great effort for a small club. The money has all been sent and the committee have seen proof that it was received by Cancer research. Thank you to the committee members for all their hard work making the evening a great success. This week, Wednesday 6th May, we will hold our AGM and Trophy presentation night. Don't forget if you are doing the monthly water project, (that's one image each month with the topic of water), it's now another month to take your fifth image. Regards Graham Harrison
At yesterday's meeting the Society held a Charity Night to raise funds for Cancer Research, as we have lost two of our members Paul Gray, and Paul Malley to cancer, members have also had family effected and lost wives to the disease. The evening was a social occasion with a raffle, quiz, auction, print competition, and cake. The raffle had many prizes donated, and raised £113 in ticket sales. Camera bags, signed books and binoculars had been donated for the auction which generated a lot of interest and raised £116. The tea and cake stand generated £48, the quiz raised £28, and the print competion raised £17. In total the Charity Night raised £322, and many thanks go to members for their generous donations to a worthy case. Colorgrafix of Louth donated a trophy cup in memory of Paul Malley, who had worked for Colografix on a part time basis. The cup has been engraved with Paul Malley's name, and is awarded for the "Best PDI of the Year", shown here is Harry Kerman being presented with the cup by Graham Harrison. Harry's "White Cosmos" image was Best PDI of the Year 2026.
Good Morning All Last week at the club we held our monthly Print competition, Circles and Open judged by John Whaler, there was a very good attendance and entry with some high-quality photographs. The results are on our website, but congratulations go to Robin Begley for his superb photograph of Point La Achenal-Mount Blanc in the Open section and Dave Turner's excellent photograph of the London Eye in the Circles competition. Both photographs are on our blog page. This week, Wednesday 29th April, we are having something that we have not tried before, a charity night in aid of cancer research, two of our members passed away quite recently and it is a way of remembering Paul Gray and Paul Malley and raising some money so please bring money with you. There is a print competition where we need you to bring along just one print, one of your favourites, age of print doesn't matter nor whether it has won many competitions already. There will also be a quoits competition, a Raffle, a quiz and cakes to have with a cuppa. One other thing, St James Church are holding a friendship festival where we have put on an exhibition previous years, it is next weekend and they thought we were going to take part again. If anyone wants to volunteer to man a stand, otherwise we won't be able to take part this year, very late notice but myself and Derek were unaware they were expecting us. The following week is our AGM Regards Graham
Last night, we held our monthly print competition with the categories of "Circles" and "Open". Our judge for the evening was John Whaler, who judged the prints in his usual detailed laid back considered style. The "Circles" category was an especially difficult subject to photograph, and it was amazing to see some of the interpretations of this subject. It was an interesting evening, and the Competition page of the website has been updated with the final results, and images from the top three placed images in each category. Congratulations to Robin Begley placed first in the Open category with his "Pointe La Achenal - Mont Blanc, and Dave Turner with his view of the London Eye, first place in the Circles category. Thanks to John Whaler for judging the prints, and Dave Mann for preparing the refreshments.
Good Morning All I took a photo of the Morris Minor steering wheel in The Great British Car Journey Museum in Derbyshire; it would have fitted this week's competition if I had thought to print it. Last week at the club Derek organised a studio evening for us all. It was a very good evening with two models for us to photograph. A lot of members don't do studio photography very often, so it was a chance to learn lighting techniques and poses. Thank you Derek for letting the members use your studio equipment and organising the evening for us. There is a blog on our website. Last Friday evening was our open night at Louth museum for the societies 70th Anniversary, we had a good turnout with quite a few members and guests including the mayor of Louth. Thank you again to all involved setting up the exhibition, particularly Harry Kerman and Chris Birchmore who did a lot of the setting up, as well as Simon Millson, Derek Smith and Richard Hildred who helped with the boards and mounting the prints. Harry and Karen Kerman provided an excellent buffet as well as wine etc. It was the first time I had seen the exhibition and I was very impressed; there is plenty of time still to visit the museum and see it for yourself. You will have to pay the museum admission charge. There is a report on our blog page. This week, Wednesday 22nd April, we will hold a print competition, with the categories of "Circles" and "Open", John Whaler of Lincoln will judge the competiton. The entries are in and score sheets have been sent out. The following week we are holding a charity night in aid of Cancer Research, The society recently lost two very valued members to cancer, many members have lost loved ones to the disease. We are having various activities to take part in and spend your money. Harry is running a raffle, any members who would like to donate a prize please bring it along this week or next and hand it to Harry. Paul Towmey is bringing his Quoits game in. Dave Turner is running a very simple Print competition, bring along your favourite print or one that has done well for you in the past either this week or on the night, there is a £1 entry fee, any subject, we will ask a guest to judge the competition. I will be running a quiz and there will be cakes available to have with your tea and coffee, at a cost of course, we want to raise some money, there will be no charge on the door though. If you can't make the evening, you could always give Harry some money for raffle tickets this week. If you intend to go to our annual dinner on 29th May (Friday) please let me know by next Wednesday as I have to give the Splash the final numbers, so far 19 are going but mid twenties would be better. Think that's it, Regards Graham
Yesterday evening the 17th April 2026 was the opening night for the Louth Photographic Society’s 70 Year Celebration Exhibition at the Louth Museum. The Mayor of Louth, Darren Hobson attended and was very impressed with the exhibition, who by the way is interested in photography. Some relatives of previous members, who are no longer with us, also came along. Julie Gough (Milli) and Bob Maddams represented the Museum. From the club we had 10 members, some with their partners. In all 20 people attended. A buffet and drinks were provided by the club which were prepared by Harry and his wife Karen for the night. Graham Harrison the President of the club gave the opening speech followed by Chris Birchmore, who was the member who first put the idea together. Members mingled, discussed the photographs and generally had a good time. Many thanks for all who attended and made it a night to remember.
Two female models were booked for our "Studio Night", which was held last night, and members were able to practice photographing the models in various poses, on the portrait set, or the fashion set. Our models Ginny, and Dina were very different in character, and appearance, but both were excellent models, and they posed easily in front of the cameras. The portrait set was lit with a flash speed light in a soft box, the fashion set was lit with constant LED lighting, the models changed outfits, and sets during the break. Both models are pictured here on the fashion set, Ginny in the red top, and large Doc Martin boots, and Dina in a softer fashion outfit. Members seemed to enjoy the evening, and for some glamour photography was outside their comfort zone, but it does give the opportunity to try something different.
It was a disappointing afternoon for Louth during Sunday's Fosters Challenge. One by one our submitted prints were dismissed, Graham Harrison's "Hairy Shield Bug", was too dark, "Trusthorpe Outfall" by Tony Gaskins had wind turbines on the horizon, and Tony's other print "Dawn Light Outfall Hornsea" was dismissed as the outfall was too close to the bottom of the frame. "Rudbeckia" by Harry Kerman fell as the judge felt that the third flower in the background was unnecessary. "Morning Sun Whitby" by Dave Turner was dismissed as the rising sun "caught his eye". Oh well, there's always next year. The winning print was a stunning portrait, "Maria" from Scunthorpe, which I felt had vibes of the Vogue magazine.
