Primes and zooms
Jan 18, 2012 14:03:17 #
Roger Hicks
Loc: Aquitaine
Who else here uses prime lenses (not zooms)? Why?
For me it's size, weight, speed, sharpness, and the fact that I personally (I know others differ) find that zooming slows down my reaction time by just that fraction of a second that is often the difference between the picture I wanted, and one I didn't.
Cheers,
R.
For me it's size, weight, speed, sharpness, and the fact that I personally (I know others differ) find that zooming slows down my reaction time by just that fraction of a second that is often the difference between the picture I wanted, and one I didn't.
Cheers,
R.
Jan 18, 2012 14:10:18 #
Jan 18, 2012 14:15:14 #
Pepper
Loc: Planet Earth Country USA
I have two prime and two zoom lenses and I find that as time moves on I gravitate to my prime lens more and more. I find that they produce a bit more sharpness and are a little faster than my zooms. I use my prime lens when I am in more control of the subject and my zooms when I need the flexibility that they offer.
Jan 18, 2012 14:47:01 #
I have some of both also, and like Pepper, use the zooms for more flexibility, and take at least one along when I'm not sure where I might end up shooting.
I really do love my 85mm because it is sharp and fast, and for me fits the bill a lot of the time.
I really do love my 85mm because it is sharp and fast, and for me fits the bill a lot of the time.
Jan 18, 2012 15:45:59 #
I've just acquired my first prime ... 50mm f/1.4 ... great portraiture. Quick and sharp ... lovely bokeh.
I still turn to my zooms most of the time though ... only because I have them and no other choice at the moment.
I still turn to my zooms most of the time though ... only because I have them and no other choice at the moment.
Jan 18, 2012 17:03:13 #
I got started with prime lenses in the film days and when I came back to photography in the digital era I picked up where I had left off. Despite a stutter start in equipment I now have 3 lenses, all primes, that cover most of what I want to do. Canon's 24L, 100L Macro and 135L. I need something between the 24mm and 100mm but it will be another prime lens. I think I will one day get Canon's nice 200L prime as well. I like the build quality, the glass quality and the resulting IQ. The speed comes in handy occasionally but I dislike paper thin fields of focus so I usually step even the fast primes down to where they are razor sharp and the whole subject is in focus. YMMV!
Dave
Dave
Jan 18, 2012 19:45:58 #
PhotoJosh wrote:
I personally will shoot on a prime lens if I can, but my workhorse lens is a 24-70 2.8L. I have my eye on the 85mm 1.2L, but I can't quite afford the £1500 asking price just yet.
I wrote a small article discussing the various advantages and disadvantages of a prime or a zoom, here it is incase anyone who's undecided would like to read it. http://www.expertphotography.com/prime-vs-zoom-lenses
I wrote a small article discussing the various advantages and disadvantages of a prime or a zoom, here it is incase anyone who's undecided would like to read it. http://www.expertphotography.com/prime-vs-zoom-lenses
Informative, well illustrated and very well written!
Jan 19, 2012 07:08:47 #
PhotoJosh wrote:
I personally will shoot on a prime lens if I can, but my workhorse lens is a 24-70 2.8L. I have my eye on the 85mm 1.2L, but I can't quite afford the £1500 asking price just yet.
I wrote a small article discussing the various advantages and disadvantages of a prime or a zoom, here it is incase anyone who's undecided would like to read it. http://www.expertphotography.com/prime-vs-zoom-lenses
I wrote a small article discussing the various advantages and disadvantages of a prime or a zoom, here it is incase anyone who's undecided would like to read it. http://www.expertphotography.com/prime-vs-zoom-lenses
I have the Canon 85mm 1.2L and it's GREAT!!!!! Get it as soon as you can.
Jan 19, 2012 08:33:14 #
ole sarg
Loc: south florida
seems to me it is a matter of how much stuff you want to pack and carry. Primes are sharper, but it takes a big blow up to see where the fall off is.
Zooms allow you to take one lens and use it in lots of situations without having to change lenses. But you all know that.
Zooms allow you to take one lens and use it in lots of situations without having to change lenses. But you all know that.
Jan 19, 2012 08:51:12 #
I find that when I use prime lenses, I "work" the shot much more. If I'm using a zoom lens, and not really getting what I want, I'll put on my 50mm to get "rebooted".
Jan 19, 2012 09:28:53 #
I only have the kit lens that came with my D3000. Money is an issue these days but I am looking to at purchasing a 35 or 50mm prime.
My last purchase was a DI622 but at the time I was going back and forth between the flash and the lens.
My last purchase was a DI622 but at the time I was going back and forth between the flash and the lens.
Jan 19, 2012 14:13:48 #
I carry a 50mm f/1.8 in my bag but rarely use it. My first choice is my Canon 28-200. Sharp and accurate.
Jan 19, 2012 15:21:00 #
Carry a 18-270 zoom and a 50 1.4 prime. Would not mind looking into a 400mm prime or 500 but just don't have the cash for that right now...........
Jan 19, 2012 19:40:18 #
I use all Canon zoom lenses. Unless you are a pro and really blow up your images, there is no noticable difference in sharpness between prime & zooms.
I have 70-200L f2.8, 100-400L f4.5-5.6, 24-105L f4, and my first non-kit was the EFS 17-55 2.8. I shoot a lot of kids baseball games, wildlife and pets & people. Many wildlife prints are made to 24" x 36". All look sharp and crisp.
Zooms give you so much more flexability so why limit yourself with a prime? Unless you just really need what a prime will do that a zoom can not, and that is not very often. Except for macrs, zooms are the best bet for the money and the most flexability.
Just my opinion.
I have 70-200L f2.8, 100-400L f4.5-5.6, 24-105L f4, and my first non-kit was the EFS 17-55 2.8. I shoot a lot of kids baseball games, wildlife and pets & people. Many wildlife prints are made to 24" x 36". All look sharp and crisp.
Zooms give you so much more flexability so why limit yourself with a prime? Unless you just really need what a prime will do that a zoom can not, and that is not very often. Except for macrs, zooms are the best bet for the money and the most flexability.
Just my opinion.
Jan 19, 2012 19:42:47 #
I have to disagree, I have Canon L zoom lenses, but my sharpest lens is still the 35mm f/1.4L The larger aperture is also a massive advantage.
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