Why I Only Shoot With One Lens (And Why You Might Want To Try It)
Most of the time when I’m out photographing, I carry one camera body and one lens. No backups. No extra lenses in a bag. Just what’s mounted on the camera.
This realization hit me recently when someone asked for camera bag recommendations because they needed space for a camera body and two extra lenses. I noticed that I hadn’t thought about camera bags—or carrying multiple lenses—for a very long time.
And that’s intentional.
One Lens, One Commitment
When I head out to photograph, I choose a lens before I leave. That’s the lens I’m using for the day. I don’t have the option to go back and swap it out, and honestly, that’s exactly how I like it.
When I first started taking photography seriously, I was obsessed with gear. I’d stare at camera bags, comparing how many lenses and camera bodies they could hold. Some bags looked like they could carry an entire studio on your back. At the time, it felt like freedom.
Reality arrived pretty quickly.
The Real Cost of Carrying More Gear
The most obvious downside of carrying multiple lenses is weight.
I can manage a camera body and maybe two lenses. Anything more than that, and every step starts to feel heavier. When you’re walking for hours—especially in street or travel photography—every ounce matters.
Carrying too much gear means:
Needing more breaks
Getting tired sooner
Ending a photography session earlier than planned
Because I don’t get to go out photographing as often as I’d like, stopping early is a huge downside.
More Lenses, More Mental Noise
Beyond the physical weight, there’s also mental weight.
When I used to carry two lenses, I constantly asked myself:
Should I switch lenses?
Would this shot be better with the other one?
Am I missing something by not changing?
That mindset isn’t helpful. It slows you down and pulls your attention away from seeing and composing.
With only one lens, that noise disappears.
Constraints Make You a Better Photographer
Without a second lens, I push myself harder.
If I can’t zoom far enough, I walk closer.
If the framing doesn’t work, I move my feet.
If the shot isn’t happening, I look for a different composition altogether.
Instead of settling for a slightly worse photo because “that’s all my lens can do,” I adapt. I work the scene.
Ironically, I’ve missed photos while busy swapping lenses.
Minimal Gear, Maximum Focus
Yes, there are photos you could take with more lenses. That’s always true.
But there are also photos you’ll never take because:
You were tired from carrying too much
You hesitated instead of reacting
You were changing lenses instead of shooting
For me, photography is better when the gear gets out of the way.
Why I Prefer One Lens While Photographing
In short:
Lighter load = longer shooting time
Fewer choices = clearer thinking
Constraints = stronger creativity
That’s why I prefer heading out with just one lens attached to my camera.
It’s simpler. It’s freeing. And it keeps me focused on what actually matters: making photographs.