How much better is a prime?
Apr 14, 2016 07:38:26 #
Linckinn
Loc: Okatie, SC and Edgartown, MA
I have never used primes, always preferring the ability to compose and crop in camera with zooms. However I am contemplating one for my Sony a6000, specifically the 20 mm which would be like 32 with Sony's 1.6 crop. We are going on an Alaska cruise, and I am thinking most of my landscape/scenery shots will be wide open, so why not the extra sharpness of a prime.
One hears how much better prime lenses are than zooms, but then also how zooms have gotten so good they are almost the same. The image quality from the a6000 is already excellent, so it is hard to believe a major improvement. I would hate spend $250 and then use it twice and never again because it is no better. Conversely, I would happily pay 3 times that much for significantly improved image quality.
Thanks for your help. Generalities would be fine; answers need not be specific to this equipment.
One hears how much better prime lenses are than zooms, but then also how zooms have gotten so good they are almost the same. The image quality from the a6000 is already excellent, so it is hard to believe a major improvement. I would hate spend $250 and then use it twice and never again because it is no better. Conversely, I would happily pay 3 times that much for significantly improved image quality.
Thanks for your help. Generalities would be fine; answers need not be specific to this equipment.
Apr 14, 2016 07:47:20 #
$250-750 is a pretty cheap lens these days.
I'd say the real question is "how good do you need it?"
In a previous job we had a machinist whose mantra was "Better is the enemy of good enough". He meant that if you tried to improve things you run the risk of screwing it up. But it could also be taken to mean something like "you can pay a lot of money for something that could be better, but in the end you might not be able to see the improvement."
Personally, my zoom lenses (Nikon) are good enough in sharpness terms. And they are much more flexible in operation than primes. But they all cost over $1000.
I'd say the real question is "how good do you need it?"
In a previous job we had a machinist whose mantra was "Better is the enemy of good enough". He meant that if you tried to improve things you run the risk of screwing it up. But it could also be taken to mean something like "you can pay a lot of money for something that could be better, but in the end you might not be able to see the improvement."
Personally, my zoom lenses (Nikon) are good enough in sharpness terms. And they are much more flexible in operation than primes. But they all cost over $1000.
Apr 14, 2016 07:53:35 #
Check out e-bay for the same lens used. You may find what you need without spending a fortune.
Deal with someone with at least a 99.8% reliability.
Deal with someone with at least a 99.8% reliability.
Apr 14, 2016 07:53:51 #
Sony crop is 1.5
30 mm is not that wide
The lens is inexpensive but YGWYPF
I have it and it's not as good as the 16-50 that comes with some kits.
Alaska is AMAZING. Wide shots are necessary.
Have fun!
30 mm is not that wide
The lens is inexpensive but YGWYPF
I have it and it's not as good as the 16-50 that comes with some kits.
Alaska is AMAZING. Wide shots are necessary.
Have fun!
Apr 14, 2016 07:56:02 #
Leitz
Loc: Solms
Linckinn wrote:
... I am thinking most of my landscape/scenery shots will be wide open...
What is your logic behind this thinking?
Apr 14, 2016 07:56:35 #
Linckinn wrote:
I have never used primes, always preferring the ab... (show quote)
Prime over zoom was a good adage at one point in time. That led me to having a number of prime lenses and no zooms. However, design, manufacturing, and computers being used in all phases of both of those areas have led to little difference visual difference between the images produced by both.
If one needs thousands of dollars of specialized test equipment to see the slight difference in image quality between prime and zoom lenses, virtually, there isn't any.
--Bob
Apr 14, 2016 08:09:55 #
Old Timer
Loc: Greenfield, In.
I have three primes and use them all at times. I would think that it depends on what satisfy your needs. You do not have the flexibility of a zoom, which requires the zooming to be done by walking. For portrait and macro I would go for the primes.
For a walk around and all purpose lens I would go with a zoom. My two most used lens are one of each. The Canon 100 mm macro and my 28 135 zoom. I also have nifty fifty a 300 L that I used a lot till I got my Tamaron 150 600. They have all got their place but you can adapt and get along with out them. If going on a cruise I would probably want to take two zoom lens so I could shoot from a boat or other place that I could get the proper distance by walking.
For a walk around and all purpose lens I would go with a zoom. My two most used lens are one of each. The Canon 100 mm macro and my 28 135 zoom. I also have nifty fifty a 300 L that I used a lot till I got my Tamaron 150 600. They have all got their place but you can adapt and get along with out them. If going on a cruise I would probably want to take two zoom lens so I could shoot from a boat or other place that I could get the proper distance by walking.
Apr 14, 2016 08:13:35 #
Linckinn
Loc: Okatie, SC and Edgartown, MA
Thanks everyone. Very helpful as always. Makes me realize that for such reasonably priced equipment, I am very lucky to have the quality I do. Leave it alone for now.
Thanks, and good luck to all.
Thanks, and good luck to all.
Apr 14, 2016 08:15:37 #
Apr 14, 2016 08:16:17 #
Right now I have 3 "primes" 24,40,&50 mm, and a favorite zoom that covers all those lengths, there are advantages to the primes and to the zoom, not so much discernible sharpness but in ease of use and adaptability. The 24 & 40 cause a different way of working, the 50 is faster, the primes are easier to carry about, lighter and less obtrusive, zooms are well zooms. You say your going on a trip, I'd mount the zoom and carry atleast one prime, perhaps a faster lens for low light, Oh I do have another prime that would go along on a trip, it's mounted on an older body, an 8mm Bower, fun lens, and it gets the spare body along for the ride, Bob.
Apr 14, 2016 08:20:40 #
Linckinn wrote:
We are going on an Alaska cruise, and I am thinking most of my landscape/scenery shots will be wide open, so why not the extra sharpness of a prime.
Good thinking... if and only if you visit Barrow in December when the sun does not come up. A little screwy for summer no matter where you go! : - )
Bring a good set of zooms to cover the range you expect to use.
Apr 14, 2016 08:21:21 #
Linckinn wrote:
I have never used primes, always preferring the ab... (show quote)
I own Nikon zooms and primes. I prefer to use the primes depending on what I am shooting.
For an Alaskan cruise, I would invest in the best wide angle prime I could afford. Once in a lifetime...
Apr 14, 2016 08:24:36 #
Linckinn wrote:
I have never used primes, always preferring the ab... (show quote)
I would suggest you to rent the lens and see for yourself before buying.
Apr 14, 2016 08:25:11 #
Linckinn wrote:
I have never used primes, always preferring the ab... (show quote)
Back in the 1960s, when zoom lenses first became widely available for SLRs, primes were MUCH better than zooms. However, these days, most of the money in lens research and development goes into zoom lens designs. So the quality of modern zoom lenses especially those designed in the last 58 years is excellent.
Anyone who has used a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens, or an Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO Lens, or a Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. Lens, or a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Lens will tell you that zooms are quite good to excellent these days. They're also quite expensive!
However, the best prime lenses are also pricey, although they do have much wider maximum apertures. Sometimes that is most important for low light work, better bokeh, or just having a small lens that draws no attention to your camera.
Apr 14, 2016 08:43:43 #
I would go for the ZOOM for your flexibility in composing your images. You will never see the difference in quality unless you do lens testing as a profession.
Linckinn wrote:
I have never used primes, always preferring the ab... (show quote)
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