There’s Always That One Lens You Never Use… But Never Sell
- Ryan Fatalla
- Apr 22
- 2 min read
Most photographers have one.
A lens that doesn’t get used often. It stays in the bag, or sometimes on a shelf.
Not part of the regular workflow. Not something you reach for on every shoot.
And yet—for some reason—you never sell it.
It’s Not About Frequency
There’s a common idea that every piece of gear should justify its place.
Used regularly. Used efficiently. Used on paid work.
But not every lens is meant to be a daily tool.
Some lenses are different.
They’re not about consistency—they’re about specific moments.
The kind where, when you do reach for it, nothing else quite replaces it.
It Carries Something More Than Function
Sometimes a lens stays because of what it represents.
It might be connected to:
A first paid shoot
A trip that changed how you see photography
An image that meant more than the rest
Or simply a piece of gear you genuinely connected with.
At that point, it’s no longer just a tool.
Letting it go can feel less like decluttering—and more like losing part of your own timeline.
It Changes the Way You See
Certain lenses don’t fit neatly into your usual way of working.
They might:
Slow you down
Force you to move differently
Push you out of your workflow
And that friction is valuable.
Because it reminds you that there isn’t just one way to shoot.
Sometimes, the lenses you use the least are the ones that challenge your perspective the most.
The “What If” Factor
There’s also that quiet thought that keeps it in your bag:
What if I need it one day?
A specific project. A particular look. A moment where that lens becomes the right choice.
Even if that moment doesn’t come often—or at all—the possibility itself is enough.
Not Everything Needs to Be Practical
In a workflow built around efficiency, it’s easy to justify keeping only what’s useful.
But photography isn’t purely practical.
Some lenses stay because:
They inspire you
They represent a phase of growth
They still spark curiosity
And that’s enough of a reason.
A Closer Look
I’ve put together a video where I talk through this shift in more detail and how it affects real-world photography:
Final Thoughts
There’s always that one lens you don’t use often—but never let go of.
Not because it’s the most practical.
But because it still means something.
And in a craft built on connection, that matters more than efficiency.
Thinking About Your Own Shoot?
If you’re drawn to photography that values feeling, perspective, and storytelling over perfection, that’s exactly the approach I bring to my work.
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