Lenses Fixed Focal Length Versus Zoom (Page 6): I agree, primes lenses for the most part do out preform zoom lenses. There're are some zoom lenses are sharper and with good colour...

Lionel1954 Loc: Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

PixelStan77 wrote:

In my film days, I always used fixed focal length lenses to create my images. Zoom lenses are a trade off in my mind of convenience versus image quality. So for my digital I bought the best zooms Nikon made.
I recently purchased two fixed focal length lenses and can see an amazing difference in image quality.(sharpness).

Do any of you UHH's feel the same way?

I agree, primes lenses for the most part do out preform zoom lenses. There're are some zoom lenses are sharper and with good colour rendering but these zooms are very expensive. I find using a fixed focal length lens to be the better choice for getting quality imagery at an affordable price.

T. Walton Loc: Newton, Kansas

Couldn't agree with you more!

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

PixelStan77 wrote:

I always question with a careful eye, rating from dxomark and others. The reason being what was the source of the lens they are testin? Did they get or given a hand picked lens to test from Nikon or Canon or Tokina, Sigma or etc. I get more out of looking at reviews of people who bought that item and express their feelings. I have since learned that competitors sometimes knock the item to put doubt in other peoples minds.

I could not disagree with you more. DPreview, out of the UK provides the most authoritative review of anyone one out there and has partnered with DxO Labs for their information. DxO has an empirical process to review camera and lenses. Who else is there?

As for individual reviews, I consider them but they are very subjective and often influenced by manufactures who will send and or give them items in exchange for a review. As for listening to those who express there"feelings"., I totally disregard feelings, especially those that reply, "I have it and like it" which is the majority of hoggers, this is the same group that shoots exclusively jpeg and full auto, don't know how to post process let alone set the ISO on their own gear.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

Peekayoh wrote:

It's hardly surprising that a Nikon sponsored trip would feature Nikor lenses or that Zoom lenses are present.

You still can't get away from the fact that a good Prime will always beat a good Zoom in terms of IQ. In terms of flexibility, not so much but a Landscape Photographer usually plans the shot and has time to composite the shot. Edge to edge sharpness is often key in a Landscape shot and of course PC lenses are only found in Primes.

Nikonians is NOT a Nikon Sponsored group. If you looked at or read the publication you would have known it is totally independent- a group of people who just use Nikon cameras and share their experiences. That is why I posted it in response to your landscape comment. Care to retract any part of your statement now?

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Don Fischer wrote:

Let me understand this. It becomes obvious that primes are twice as sharp when viewed by a machine as opposed to the human eye? Imagine that!

It's amazing!

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

PixelStan77 wrote:

In my film days, I always used fixed focal length lenses to create my images. Zoom lenses are a trade off in my mind of convenience versus image quality. So for my digital I bought the best zooms Nikon made.
I recently purchased two fixed focal length lenses and can see an amazing difference in image quality.(sharpness).

Do any of you UHH's feel the same way?

I always used high quality zooms (even in the 70's) and there was never much difference compared to my primes!

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

PixelStan77 wrote:

In my film days, I always used fixed focal length lenses to create my images. Zoom lenses are a trade off in my mind of convenience versus image quality. So for my digital I bought the best zooms Nikon made.
I recently purchased two fixed focal length lenses and can see an amazing difference in image quality.(sharpness).

Do any of you UHH's feel the same way?

I have come to feel this way from reading that opinion over and over but not actually comparing side by side. That said my faves for Nikon F mount; Zeiss 21mm f/2.8, Zeiss 28mm f/2, Voigtlander 40mm f/2, Nikon AI-S 55mm f/2.8 and Nikon 300mm f/4 PF VR these I am currently using and these I have had, Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8 and Zeiss 135mm f/2. I have used all on a Nikon d800e.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

PixelStan77 wrote:

In my film days, I always used fixed focal length lenses to create my images. Zoom lenses are a trade off in my mind of convenience versus image quality. So for my digital I bought the best zooms Nikon made.
I recently purchased two fixed focal length lenses and can see an amazing difference in image quality.(sharpness).

Do any of you UHH's feel the same way?

In reading the responses, I see mention of pro quality lenses. For us beginners who use a crop sensor and kit lenses, are the differences similar in magnitude? I have a D5300 with 18-55, 18-140, 55-300 plus f1.8 35mm and f1.8 50mm. I am a long ways from FX format and don't know if I should be testing similar comparisons as those noted in this thread. Thank you.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

zoom lenses can produce great photos with good quality images. they are great if you are going out in the field for a day, or on vacation, and do not want to lug several extra lenses for different situations.
prime lenses are usually of better quality and are great if you know what the focal length will be prior to going to your shoot and will be going through the effort to set up a tripod and will be shooting with one lens for the day, or if you do not mind taking several lenses with you and changing them in the field.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

DaveyDitzer wrote:

In reading the responses, I see mention of pro quality lenses. For us beginners who use a crop sensor and kit lenses, are the differences similar in magnitude? I have a D5300 with 18-55, 18-140, 55-300 plus f1.8 35mm and f1.8 50mm. I am a long ways from FX format and don't know if I should be testing similar comparisons as those noted in this thread. Thank you.

The differences are significant but as a photographer you can control it.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

cambriaman wrote:

Aren't the Holy Trinity all zooms?

Yes. They are called that because every common focal length is covered, in just three lenses, without any overlaps.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

you have enough lenses to start with. i would recommend that you spend a little extra and only buy fx lenses in the future. you may invest a great deal of money in lenses, much more than you invest in a camera body, and if you get really interested in photography in the future and decide to purchase a full frame camera, and if you photograph wildlife and landscapes, you will want a full frame camera in the future, you will not need to reinvest in lenses. fx lenses work great on dx cameras, but dx lenses decrease the image quality on an fx camera.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

orrie smith wrote:

you have enough lenses to start with. i would rec... (show quote)

I'm sure it's good advice. I have been looking at, but cautious of the price, of the Nikon 24-70 f2.8. IF the lens lists SWM as a feature, does that mean it will work with the D5300 which does not have a focusing motor in the camera body?

Edia Loc: Central New Jersey

It's a matter of economics. A zoom lens that is both sharp and fast costs considerably more than a prime lens that is sharp and fast. It also depends on what you like to shoot and how much versatility you need. At weddings, a zoom is a necessity but for portraits, a prime will do quite well.

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

joer wrote:

The best zooms will not measure up to the best primes. Like you said its a trade off, but some are so good it hardly matters.

I agree, but the best primes in the old film days, are not necessarily as good a the zooms of today!

The zooms of today CAN BE as good as the primes of yesterday. That doesn't mean that today's zooms as always better that yesterday's primes, only that they can be!