Does One Really Need a Prime Lens
May 16, 2023 16:40:36 #
gwilliams6 wrote:
Old Al, did you look at the zoom photos of profess... (show quote)
Love Two ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
May 16, 2023 18:46:20 #
May 16, 2023 18:50:03 #
Old Al
Loc: Litchfield County, Connecticut
Your photos are FABULOUS!! I have followed your responses for a few years and am very impressed. But show me a shot with 22 people, are the out side heads true, or do they have some "pumpkin characteristics"? Head shots with good zooms look OK, but what about those people on the EDGE? They don't make for an exciting shot, but for the family ......they are still important . That's why I shoot a prime WITH LITTLE DISTORTION.
May 16, 2023 20:50:30 #
Old Al wrote:
...,:;; show me a shot with 22 people, are the out side heads true, or do they have some "pumpkin characteristics"? Head shots with good zooms look OK, but what about those people on the EDGE? They don't make for an exciting shot, but for the family ......they are still important . That's why I shoot a prime WITH LITTLE DISTORTION.
Not a one of the posted pix address that particular concern, which you had clearly stated in your earlier post. They are just random picks from a collection. But then, thaz how it always goes with him ... not that hes the only one. Its a UHH Sacred Tradition to always maneuver away from addressing the real point of a discussion.
May 17, 2023 01:56:32 #
Old Al wrote:
Your photos are FABULOUS!! I have followed your responses for a few years and am very impressed. But show me a shot with 22 people, are the out side heads true, or do they have some "pumpkin characteristics"? Head shots with good zooms look OK, but what about those people on the EDGE? They don't make for an exciting shot, but for the family ......they are still important . That's why I shoot a prime WITH LITTLE DISTORTION.
I dont know what current zoom lenses you have used ,but modern zoom lenses dont have any more edge distortion than primes of the same focal length. That is just a fallacy. Do better research and know the physics and the facts. I think you are living in the photographic past with your totally unscientific and unfounded claims.
Just one example of an excellent modern zoom lens: The Sony 70-200mm f2.8 GM II
https://sonyalpha.blog/2021/12/08/sony-70-200mm-f2-8-gm-ii-oss/#22_Vignetting_chromatic_aberrations_distortion_flare_sunstars
Quote: On distortion "Distortion is almost null" And this zoom lens is as sharp on the corners as it is in the center. Check the actual MTF-standard sharpness test results of this modern zoom lens posted in this test article.
You have absolutely no proof that you can show us, that the best current zooms of a certain focal length have more edge distortion than the best primes of the same focal length. Show us, we are waiting for your test proof of your unfounded assertions.
You are welcome to love your favorite primes, that is your choice. Use what works for you and your clients, but just don't spread fake news as fact, when you can't back up your claims with any evidence or independent test comparison results.
Cheers and best to you.
May 17, 2023 03:15:21 #
Old Al wrote:
Your photos are FABULOUS!! I have followed your responses for a few years and am very impressed. But show me a shot with 22 people, are the out side heads true, or do they have some "pumpkin characteristics"? Head shots with good zooms look OK, but what about those people on the EDGE? They don't make for an exciting shot, but for the family ......they are still important . That's why I shoot a prime WITH LITTLE DISTORTION.
Thanks about the photos. I appreciate the kind words.
I believe in facts to back up what I say here in UHH. You asked, so here is a wedding group shot with 24 people, shot on my Canon 7D with a Canon zoom 16-35mm f2.8 lens at 18mm. Feel free to check the EXIF data if you wish.
As I said ,there is no more edge distortion with a good zoom lens as there is with a good prime lens of the same focal length. Good optical design is good optical design, whether a prime or a zoom lens. Your assertion about edge distortion with zooms just doesn't hold water in my professional experience, or that of other pros I know, sorry.
No one is saying you need to give up your fav primes for zooms. Use your primes and be happy. I love my primes just as much as I love my zooms. The reality is that the best of the current zooms are fabulous lenses in all respects. And I make good money and have loads of satisfied clients when I use my zooms, as well as when I use my primes.
FYI, this outside shot was lighted with three Paul C. Buff 640WS Einstein Strobes in softboxes. And yes I did selectively darken out the tree on the right, for the finished prints in the albums, and in the additional digital copy of the wedding shoot that the bride and groom received.
Cheers and best to you.
May 17, 2023 06:29:10 #
I have several primes: Z800, 600, 500, 400 f2.8, 105, 60mm, Zeiss100mm, Z85mm...to name a few.
May 17, 2023 09:35:51 #
Dalek wrote:
I have several primes: Z800, 600, 500, 400 f2.8, 105, 60mm, Zeiss100mm, Z85mm...to name a few.
Use what works for you. I find for all the subjects I shoot around the world, I often need the versatility of the instantly-available multiple focal lengths of my zooms when I dont have the time or the luxury of changing prime lenses, or when I dont have the room to zoom in or zoom out with my feet, or I dont have the space to carry a bunch of different primes, or I dont want all the extra weight of carrying multiple primes.
And for wildlife I often prefer my 200-600mm lens which allows me to instantly zoom out if needed.
One example: I was photographing this Snowy Egret at 600mm with my Sony 200-600mm lens on the Caribbean Island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin when I sensed it was about to take off from its watery perch. I was able to instantly zoom back out to 319mm to capture the takeoff as well as the water the Egret splashed up. If I had been locked into a 600mm prime, I would have not gotten this much in the frame, and that water splashing up helps make this shot. Sony A1, Sony 200-600mm lens, 319mm, ISO 1600, f6.3, 1/4000 sec. handheld.
Click on download to see the better image quality.
I have used the best of long primes for some Pro Sports and some breaking news , but I would not be without my zooms for many fast changing situations.
Cheers and best to you.
May 17, 2023 11:10:02 #
Old Al
Loc: Litchfield County, Connecticut
It's a fabulous picture, I immediately wanted to know what wonderful lighting you used and then I finished your response and found it.
As an absurdly obsessive perfectionist (it's my curse), if you carefully examine the people on the edges, they are NOT as sharp as the interior group. I stand by my Prime lens choice.
P.S. I use zooms in all my weddings, EXCEPT the group shots.
As an absurdly obsessive perfectionist (it's my curse), if you carefully examine the people on the edges, they are NOT as sharp as the interior group. I stand by my Prime lens choice.
P.S. I use zooms in all my weddings, EXCEPT the group shots.
May 17, 2023 11:37:10 #
May 17, 2023 11:51:56 #
Old Al wrote:
It's a fabulous picture, I immediately wanted to know what wonderful lighting you used and then I finished your response and found it.
As an absurdly obsessive perfectionist (it's my curse), if you carefully examine the people on the edges, they are NOT as sharp as the interior group. I stand by my Prime lens choice.
P.S. I use zooms in all my weddings, EXCEPT the group shots.
As an absurdly obsessive perfectionist (it's my curse), if you carefully examine the people on the edges, they are NOT as sharp as the interior group. I stand by my Prime lens choice.
P.S. I use zooms in all my weddings, EXCEPT the group shots.
Thanks for liking the shot.
This shot is with an older Canon DSLR zoom lens circa 2008, that lens was an optical design of fifteen years ago. . I no longer even have that lens. The sharpness of the shot was fine for huge blowups with edge to edge sharpness. That was the biggest printed enlargement from that wedding.
Since I have gone to modern mirrorless cameras and more modern zoom lenses, many MTF-standard sharpness tests PROVE CONCLUSIVELY that the best modern zooms are equally as sharp on the edges as in the center. And maybe this might surprise you, but even expensive prime wide lenses aren't always perfectly sharp, edge to edge either at every aperture.
Please look at the test article for the Sony 70-200mm f2.8 GM II that I posted. Check the MTF-Standard sharpness test result charts in that article and know the reality that that zoom is as sharp on the edges as in the center.
That is the new reality. You really need to examine the best of the current zooms and know times have changed and the latest modern optical designs have changed the lens landscape, with superb edge to edge, even for zooms. If you do better research, you might be surprised what you discover about the superb edge to edge sharpness and low distortion of the best modern zoom lenses. That is what I found.
As I have said before, stick with you fav primes and what works for you, and be happy. I and other pros will happily make use of our modern excellent zooms, even for wide group shots.
Cheers and best to you.
May 17, 2023 12:03:57 #
May 17, 2023 14:03:03 #
Sidwalkastronomy
Loc: New Jersey Shore
I think the convince of cropping in the camera is such a positive AND the cost of several primes to cover that range and its a no Brainer, zooms for me and I have extra cash to spend on more toys
May 17, 2023 14:39:20 #
Sidwalkastronomy wrote:
I think the convince of cropping in the camera is such a positive AND the cost of several primes to cover that range and its a no Brainer, zooms for me and I have extra cash to spend on more toys
May 17, 2023 16:29:12 #
gwilliams6 wrote:
Old Al, did you look at the zoom photos of profess... (show quote)
Just FYI, these were ALL shot with zoom lenses.
Cheers and best to you all.
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