Prime Lens Usage Suggestions Needed (Page 2): A prime lens definitely imposes limitations on a photographer -- and that might be a good thing sometimes. I like using a prime for...

jgordon Loc: Boulder CO

A prime lens definitely imposes limitations on a photographer -- and that might be a good thing sometimes.

I like using a prime for exactly that reason. It slows things down for me. It makes me look for particular kinds of images that work with that lens. It helps me pre-visualize a bit. It imposes discipline. It also causes me to miss some shots, but sometimes that is ok with me.

The prime lenses I have are old ones I that I used on film cameras. I have a crop format camera, so the old lenses work a little differently on it than they did on the old film cameras -- and two of them require manual focus. That also slows things down and makes me think and anticipate more than using the zoom. So, I guess I use these lenses to impose some discipline on myself.

That all being said, I am not a professional photographer. If I miss a shot because I am not carrying a zoom with the reach to grab it, it is not such a big thing.

I also like the fact that the short primes are smaller and easier to carry around than the 18-200 zoom that is my other alternative.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

jgordon wrote:

A prime lens definitely imposes limitations on a p... (show quote)

You make a good point. A lens with certain limitations does make you slow down and do things a bit differently. Not always a bad thing. Thanks.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

LFingar wrote:

To start with, my one DSLR body is a 6D. On the sh... (show quote)

LF, maybe it's best use would be on Craig's List?!?! :lol:
Seriously, maybe you should sell it and the 24-70(100% overlap) and get a lens that has a slot in your style, not one that you need to force yourself to use, just because you own it and it's a nice lens. They're ALL nice lenses!
I have a 50 1.4 and I use it a lot, but obviously our styles are different.

Now, I'm going to read the rest of the responses! :lol:
SS

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

LFingar wrote:

You make a good point. A lens with certain limitations does make you slow down and do things a bit differently. Not always a bad thing. Thanks.

Maybe you need to try that limitation. Just go out and shoot with it for a week or two. See what you find out.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

SharpShooter wrote:

LF, maybe it's best use would be on Craig's List?!?! :lol:
Seriously, maybe you should sell it and the 24-70(100% overlap) and get a lens that has a slot in your style, not one that you need to force yourself to use, just because you own it and it's a nice lens. They're ALL nice lenses!
I have a 50 1.4 and I use it a lot, but obviously our styles are different.

Now, I'm going to read the rest of the responses! :lol:
SS

You have a point. If I don't figure out a use for the 35 soon I probably will sell it. I'll probably keep the 24-70. At least until I decide if I'm going to add a 7DII to my collection. It would go well with that body. I also have a couple of longer lenses I may sell and replace with just one. Either Canon's new 100-400 II or the Sig 150-600. The 100-400 with an extender would be nice, but I've never used an extender so that's just something else to explore.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

dsmeltz wrote:

Maybe you need to try that limitation. Just go out and shoot with it for a week or two. See what you find out.

That would be the smart thing for me to do. Now, if the weather would just cooperate for more then a day or so. Rain & clouds, and then clouds & rain!

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I kind of rotate lenses, I will put one on and that will be "the" lens for a week or two then move on to another lens.

ralphc4176 Loc: Conyers, GA

It has been my experience that a fast lens generally takes a better picture than a "slow" lens. At f/1.4, your prime lens is very much faster than any of your zooms. And it's fairly close to what is commonly called a "normal" lens for an APS-C sensor. I have two prime lenses and a zoom lens for my APS-C cameras (I have two of them), and I use the two prime lenses more frequently than I use the zoom. The faster lens allows you to take a better picture in low light and probably a "tighter" photo in normal light. I only use the zoom if I need to get optically closer to a subject that I can't get physically closer to.

Peekayoh Loc: UK

The 35mm Prime is one of my favourite lenses on a FF camera.

In your shoes, I would analyse my pictures and see which FLs get the most use, you may get a surprise. BTW, this is quite easy to do with Adobe Bridge but I can't answer for other progs.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Peekayoh wrote:

The 35mm Prime is one of my favourite lenses on a FF camera.

In your shoes, I would analyse my pictures and see which FLs get the most use, you may get a surprise. BTW, this is quite easy to do with Adobe Bridge but I can't answer for other progs.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

I often suggest looking at existing shots to see what you normally end up shooting. Especially, in this case, looking to see if you frequently shoot near 35 when using your zoom.

However, there is still the discipline and learning issue of forcing yourself to shoot at a fixed FL.

Preachdude Loc: Geneva, OH

LFingar wrote:

To start with, my one DSLR body is a 6D. On the sh... (show quote)

Zoom lenses are a great convenience, and photographers who depend upon them use some different approaches to composition and framing of the shot. I have observed that those who eschew zoom lenses to use primes tend to try lower angles and try other creative viewpoints. Why? Possibly because zoom lenses offer us convenience when we're in a hurry to get a shot. Those who prefer the challenges of landscape photography, for instance, are often not in a hurry. Also, zoom lenses are usually heavier than primes, and those hiking and backpacking appreciate being able to pack lighter.

jcboy3

LFingar wrote:

To start with, my one DSLR body is a 6D. On the sh... (show quote)

All of your zooms are f/4, so you are not going to get extremely shallow DOF with them (unless you shoot with the Brenizer method, which is a whole 'nother deal). Plus, it's a very sharp lens, so if you want do large prints that's the lens to reach for.

I've always liked the 35mm FOV; it's a better "normal" lens than the 50 because "normal" is really in the low 40's and so the 50 is cropping that view.

It's not wide enough for buildings, but it's good for your other uses, especially street and portrait. That's because the shallow DOF can make your subjects pop out of the background, and it has a more pleasing bokeh (blurred background) than the zooms even when stopped down to f/4.

Take the lens out for a spin, and bracket aperture while shooting. This will show you what you can get with the lens.

Bill gomberg

Use it, use it , use it until you can decide for yourself . No one else can decide for you .

bweber Loc: Newton, MA

One of the exercises I like to do with a prime lens, especially a new one, is to put it on my camera and walk around with it for a couple of days without bringing any other lens with me. I shoot everything with the single lens. I shoot people, buildings, flowers, landscapes, etc. This exercise teaches me to see with that lens and helps me determine the best use for the lens.
Try it, you may like it.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

LFingar wrote:

To start with, my one DSLR body is a 6D. On the sh... (show quote)

Ask yourself this question: Why do I have this lens? It does not fit your shooting style. You rely entirely upon zooms to get you what you want to see. Take a concise, hard look at your answer and the solution to your problem will be obvious.