Lens recommendation: I am starting to research different lenses and would like to know whether to focus (no pun intended) on a prime lens versus a zoom lens. Thanks!

MRHooker2u Loc: Kingston, WA

I am starting to research different lenses and would like to know whether to focus (no pun intended) on a prime lens versus a zoom lens. Thanks!

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

MRHooker2u wrote:

I am starting to research different lenses and would like to know whether to focus (no pun intended) on a prime lens versus a zoom lens. Thanks!

I prefer prime lenses myself, but zoom lenses have become very popular.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Give us some more relevant details. What camera system? What intended camera model? What intended use? What focal length(s)?

You can't get a zoom from any system wider than f/2.8 and the f/2.8 models are large and expensive. Is cost an issue in your investigation?

rodpark2 Loc: Dallas, Tx

I like to have a fast normal focal length for low light and a fast portrait length for shallow DOF. Other than that zooms are more flexible and most are decent to very sharp. The 50-1.8 and 85-1.8 lenses are both sharp and reasonably priced.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

CHG_CANON wrote:

You can't get a zoom from any system wider than f/2.8

Actually you can. Sigma makes several:
24-35mm F2 Art
18-35mm F1.8 Art
50-100mm F1.8 Art

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

MT Shooter wrote:

Actually you can. Sigma makes several:
24-35mm F2 Art
18-35mm F1.8 Art
50-100mm F1.8 Art

I was hesitant thinking I'd be wrong ... thanks for the correction.

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

It all depends . . . .

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Primes are more like specialty or single takers, good to have when you need one. Zooms are more versatile and offer you more choices but sometimes you have to compromise. A big down side to zooms is you should always get good ones and they tend to be fairly expensive, not that many good primes aren't. I recommend getting a good quality zoom first. The only time I use primes anymore is when the situation specifically calls for it.

MRHooker2u Loc: Kingston, WA

I guess the decency aspect is the issue. I used to have a Canon t2i with a EF-S 18-200mm kit lens. The photographs taken with this lens appear sharper that those shot with a Canon Powershot SX60-HS zoom lens. Now that I have realized the limitations (aperture as well as sensor size) of Canon Powershot I wish I had held onto my t2i. Those limitations may play as big a roll in the lack of the image quality as the lens itself.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

CHG_CANON wrote:

Give us some more relevant details. What camera system? What intended camera model? What intended use? What focal length(s)?
<snip>

I second these questions. Especially intended use. Can't pick a tool until you know the project.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

MRHooker2u wrote:

I guess the decency aspect is the issue. I used to have a Canon t2i with a EF-S 18-200mm kit lens. The photographs taken with this lens appear sharper that those shot with a Canon Powershot SX60-HS zoom lens. Now that I have realized the limitations (aperture as well as sensor size) of Canon Powershot I wish I had held onto my t2i. Those limitations may play as big a roll in the lack of the image quality as the lens itself.

When you ask about prime lenses, you're talking about lenses that can be shared with a DSLR as in Digital Single Lens Reflex (or a SLR aka film) or a similar mirrorless camera with detachable lens. These are all different than your SX60 Powershot model where the lens cannot be removed.

Although ZERO detachable zoom lens exists for a DSLR that covers the range of the SX60 - 65x Optical Zoom (21-1365mm) - many zooms exist that rival primes in the common focal lengths and apertures. But, you'd have to come back to a DSLR to use those types of lenses. Until then, a discussion of 'zoom' or 'prime' lens has no application to your SX60.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

CHG_CANON wrote:

Give us some more relevant details. What camera system? What intended camera model? What intended use? What focal length(s)?

You can't get a zoom from any system wider than f/2.8 and the f/2.8 models are large and expensive. Is cost an issue in your investigation?

Actually I believe Sigma makes a WA zoom at f/1.8.

MRHooker2u Loc: Kingston, WA

I understand that the SX60 HS has a fixed zoom lens and is not interchangeable. I am looking at buying another DSLR where I can attach a quality fixed or zoom lens.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

MRHooker2u wrote:

I understand that the SX60 HS has a fixed zoom lens and is not interchangeable. I am looking at buying another DSLR where I can attach a quality fixed or zoom lens.

Every major brand offers quality cameras and lenses. Head to a BestBuy or similar bigbox store or a local camera store and ask to see their offerings. You can get a new camera and lens (a zoom) from $350 to as much as your want to spend, as in spending thousands of dollars for a body and thousands more for a lens. Every major brand offers 1 or many excellent primes. You'd be better served doing some hands-on investigation rather than musing about primes vs zoom for cameras you don't own. You don't have to buy just because you touched. Write down the model numbers and brands and then investigate further when you get home, particularly with an investigation of their lens options per brand.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

MRHooker2u wrote:

I am starting to research different lenses and would like to know whether to focus (no pun intended) on a prime lens versus a zoom lens. Thanks!

My preference is to build my lens collection on Primes. A wide angle 24MM, Normal 50MM, Mild tele 105 and for tele I use a Tele Zoom 200-500.
Ask away if you have any more question. The reality is Primes will give you the sharpest image compared to a zoom. I also have a Zoom for travel convenience so I am not constantly changing lenses.