What’s your least used “great” lens

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Unfortunately, I consider most of my Z lenses great and there a number that I don't use enough.

However, of the bunch, my least used Z lens is the Z105 f2.8 MC but it is such a superb lens that I should use more often. One of Nikon's finest lenses.
 
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MotoPixel said:
Likewise a 300 f2.8 VR2 that I've not yet parted with...and may never. When you need it, you need it...there is no substitute...and it's incredibly sharp on 45MP sensors.

I'd have to think long and hard about switching if Nikon drops a smaller, lighter, equally sharp, Z 300 f2.8 on us ala Sony and their new one.
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Agree on all counts.

1) The Nikon F 300 f2.8G VRII is a stunning lens, one of Nikon's finest and I wish I still had mine - I had to sell it to finance my F 400 f2.8E FL VR. I have sold my F 400 f2.8E FL VR to finance my Z 600 f4 TC.

2) I would also love a Z 300 f2.8 VR ala Sony. :D
 
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Nikon 800mm f5.6 (bought 2nd hand relatively cheaply). Whilst it is a lovely & super sharp lens, it is too heavy to be taken on walks (not to mention having to carry a tripod & gimbal), and therefore only tend to get used when I’m going to a hide.
 
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My 500 and 300 pfs. I have completely moved to Z cameras, but I just can't part with these two lenses. They get used for high risk work like kayak and seashore.
 
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Nice question. For me there are a couple of lenses that I seldom use but wouldn’t want to part with: The 500mm PF. It has gotten squeezed between the Z 100-400 and the Z 600 TC. The Laowa 100mm 2x micro and nikon 200mm micro because of the convenience of the Z105mm micro. Finally the F 8-15 fisheye simply because it’s such a specialist lens. The lens that I should probably part with is the 200mm micro but it has been my favourite lens for over 20 years (I bought it second hand in 1998) so I guess I’ve become attached to it.
 
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It depends on where and what I'm shooting. Over 16 months in Yellowstone I relied primarily on three lenses: the 800mm f/6.3, the 600mm f/4 and the 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3. The least used, but my overall favorite lens, was the 400 f/2.8. It just wasn't enough lens for the distances I needed to cover. I got great use of it during the bighorn sheep rut because I could get close along the Old Yellowstone Trail, but that's where it ended. I'm back in NY and anticipate I'll get much greater use of the 400mm f/2.8 and less use of the 800 mm lens, but the 180-600 will likely be my trusty second lens for wildlife.
 
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Charles Loy said:
70-200 2.8 Z lens. Have it, love it, will never part with it - but seldom use it. Tomorrow I will! Excited.
I've owned 70-200's since the early 1980's - once it came out as 80-200.
Agree with you on the Z 24-120, very versatile lens.
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I have also had both F and Z mount 70-200/2.8. It always seemed like a “must have” lens, but rarely saw much use. I finally sold the Z mount and replaced it with the Z 70-180/2.8. Much more compact. It’s probably still my least used lens, but now I still have a f/2.8 tele zoom when I need it and am much more likely to take it with me when traveling.
 
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Jmaes said:
14-24 f/2.8

Every year I keep telling myself that I'll make an effort to photograph the occasional landscape. And every passing year, the exact same thing happens. I go out, get distracted by a bird/animal and shift all my attention there.
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Exactly what I experienced…. Recently sold my 14-24 f/2.8 and got the Plena. The Z 14-30S suits my needs..
 
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From the 300 PF to the 70-200 FL, I would say all of my great lenses haven't been used enough. The problem is and will always be that one doesn't have enough time or physical strength to use every great lens to the amount that those lenses deserve as we have all made compromises in terms of what to pack/carry and how much time I should spend at a location.
 
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Brian L said:
I’m probably a bit luckier than most in that, when I started this hobby a few years ago, I gave myself an unlimited budget ….. and still managed to exceed it. When I look at my inventory today, I have five bodies - six if you count my wife’s Q2, which we often share on trips - 12 lenses (Nikon glass and Oly glass) plus various TCs, filters, tripods, monopods and other assorted gear.

My GAS has died down over the past couple of years, simply because there’s not much more I could buy - aside from a miscellaneous 400mm 2.8 or 600mm f4 - that can augment my modest skills.

That said, since I haven’t sold or traded anything, I occasionally look at my gear and what I use most - and least.

The piece that stands out to me is my Z mount 24-70mm 2.8. It’s simply a fantastic lens, great sharpness across all apertures and its entire range, great also in low light and fantastic bokeh. What’s not to like. It’s was the original middle lens of my Z trinity, it plus my 20mm 1.8 and 70-200mm 2.8.

However, about a year ago, I picked up the very versatile 24-120mm f4, as a general walking around and travel lens. What’s happened is it gets stuck to one of my cameras and the 24-70 either stays in the bag or stays home.

Occasionally, I stick it on and use it and it reminds me just how great it is. But the convenience, versatility and weight of the 24-120 just makes it too easy to stash it away.

Anyone else sitting on a great lens they rarely use?

PS. For cameras, my least used these days is my D850. Two reasons, most of my glass is Z mount and, well, as great as the D850 is, my relatively new “Z850“ eats its lunch.
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My least used lens theses days is the 600mm f4.
Its just so much more practical to grab the PF or 180-600 or 400 f4.5... 🦘
 
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Mine is my F mount Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm F2.8G ED VR II. Just love it and use when needed on a tripod as it is heavy. But the bokeh is wonderful. With an F mount extension tube, it is a super long lens macro for dragon flies, etc.

My second is my Nikon 200mm f4 AF-D micro lens. I will never part with it. I still use it as it has a tripod collar mount. The AF does not work on my Z9, but that is not an issue for me as I usually use in in Manual on all of my Nikon cameras.
 
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Two lenses come to mind. The Canon 200 f2 and the Zeiss Otus 55 f 1.4. I moved over to Sony some years ago but I still on occasion shoot these lenses using an adapter. The Canon 200 f2 in particular always puts a smile on my face, the images are so unique, it's a lens that will be with me for a very long time.
 
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Got to be the f-mount 105mm f/1.4. Great portrait lens, though over time I have found I favor the 85mm focal length. For wildlife it has to be the 300PF. Since selling the D500, most of the time I now carry a 70-200 and 500PF. I'd sell the 300PF but it fetches next to nothing on the used market and it is still useful for airline travel. One day I will likely replace it with a 400 f/4.5.
 
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My Z 100-400. On the other thread of "best" lenses, a lot of people named it high on their list. I really only use it when I'm traveling and need something small and light. and even then I'll probably swap it for the 180-600, as 400 is just often not enough focal length.

It pairs well with the 600TC for a 2 lens combo, but I've found I prefer the 300 + 600 where space and weight allow it.
 
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Z 20 1.8. Bought it to try out astro. Summer nights are a bit rough in the Everglades though, swarms of mosquitoes and biting flies. Used it a bit out in Colorado and Montana though for landscape, very nice lens.
 
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Brian L said:
I’m probably a bit luckier than most in that, when I started this hobby a few years ago, I gave myself an unlimited budget ….. and still managed to exceed it. When I look at my inventory today, I have five bodies - six if you count my wife’s Q2, which we often share on trips - 12 lenses (Nikon glass and Oly glass) plus various TCs, filters, tripods, monopods and other assorted gear.

My GAS has died down over the past couple of years, simply because there’s not much more I could buy - aside from a miscellaneous 400mm 2.8 or 600mm f4 - that can augment my modest skills.

That said, since I haven’t sold or traded anything, I occasionally look at my gear and what I use most - and least.

The piece that stands out to me is my Z mount 24-70mm 2.8. It’s simply a fantastic lens, great sharpness across all apertures and its entire range, great also in low light and fantastic bokeh. What’s not to like. It’s was the original middle lens of my Z trinity, it plus my 20mm 1.8 and 70-200mm 2.8.

However, about a year ago, I picked up the very versatile 24-120mm f4, as a general walking around and travel lens. What’s happened is it gets stuck to one of my cameras and the 24-70 either stays in the bag or stays home.

Occasionally, I stick it on and use it and it reminds me just how great it is. But the convenience, versatility and weight of the 24-120 just makes it too easy to stash it away.

Anyone else sitting on a great lens they rarely use?

PS. For cameras, my least used these days is my D850. Two reasons, most of my glass is Z mount and, well, as great as the D850 is, my relatively new “Z850“ eats its lunch.
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I bought a Sigma 14mm 1.8 lens for astrophotography and landscape photography. I rarely do either since moving to Colorado a couple of years ago. I think I’ve used it once.
 
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I feel bad just about every day that I have an 800mm f5.6 sitting in its trunk upstairs, unused for months now. I also have a very nice Sigmonster 300-800 that I have not used for a long time. I really should sell them, but dealing with all of that gives me a headache and/or upset stomach.
 
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