Every week, we ask newsletter subscribers a question about gear, creativity or life. We recently asked readers: If you could only pick one lens for the rest of your life (yes, only one), what would it be and why?

We got some insightful, unusual and snarky responses to the prompt. The idea of having a single lens for everything you’d ever want to do is challenging, but that’s also what makes it a fun debate.

Here are three of our favorite responses:

1. Nikon 16-80mm F2.8-4.0

A reader wrote: “Nikon 16-80mm F2.8 for everyday shooting: people, scenery, nature, sports. It sits on my Nikon D500. It’s fast, sharp and adaptable … in my opinion, an underrated Nikon lens and is not expensive to purchase.”

2. Fujifilm 150-600 F8

A reader wrote: “I have been a keen photographer for over 50 years and after a lifetime of using Nikon, Canon and Hasselblad cameras, I have now settled on Fuji cameras … My favorite lens is currently the Fujifilm 150-600 F8. (It is) both light and optically excellent, enabling me to carry the lens further and use it hand-held in most situations.”

3. Kit lenses for the win?

A reader wrote: “My favorite lens is actually two kit lenses that came with my Nikon Z30. The Z DX 16-50mm 3.5 and the Z DX 50-250mm 4.5 are all I could ask for right now … Both lenses, paired with my Z30, produce photos that astound me every day. I hope to get a 2X extender for wildlife close-ups.”

What’s your take? Let us know in the comments.

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