Prime lens on a DSLR?

[Pfreddee]

A couple of months ago I was given a Canon Digital Rebel by our daughter (bless her heart!), and I've had a lot of fun learning how to use it, and also what doesn't work. Of course, it came with a standard DSLR zoom lens. Trouble is, the lens isn't very fast. I usually shoot with a 50mm f/2.8 or faster with my film cameras. I really don't like zoom lenses for film cameras, but it seems OK for digital. Go figure.

Anyway, I've got a chance to buy a Canon 35 mm f/2.8 FX lens, which will become about a 55mm ~ lens on the Rebel. I've tried the lens out briefly in the shop, and I like the compact camera-lens combination it gives me, not to mention the extra stops and the 50 mm (+/-) focal length. Does anybody else use primes on their DSLR? I'm a snap-shooter by inclination and experience, and this combo looks to be just what I need. What has been your experiences with primes on digital?

Thanks to all who reply.

With best regards,

Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[Warren T.]

hi Stephen, I use both AF and MF primes on my old Nikon D100. They work well, and will give you the same advantages as primes on film cameras.

--Warren

 

[peterm1]

I often do. I have a slight preference for primes (although good pro zooms are right up there with them these days.) So I have quite a collection of primes I shoot with my Nikon D200. A 24mm f2.8 AF, a 35mm f2 AF, a 50mm f1.8 AF, a 50mm f1.4 AF, a 55mm f2.8 micro, an 85mm f1.4 AF, a 105mm F2.8 AF and a 180mm f2.8 AF. I especially like the speed of the lenses and their generally small size (offset somewhat by the need to carry a couple of lenses when away from home for any time.) But even having a day out with one lens is fun and forces one to squeeze the most from that lens. The wider primes and normal ones also are pretty fast to focus. I also still have a few MF primes although I have sold many of these to finance other purchases. But in general that is an enjoyable experience with a DSLR too.

 

[sojournerphoto]

When I still had my dslrs I used primes most of the time - except when I needed the 70-200 for reach. One of my favourite combinations was my 1Ds3 and 50/1.4.

Mike

 

[gavinlg]

I'm a prime fan with my dslr as well - the Canon 35mm f2 is good, cheap, and small. Next level are the Zeiss ZE primes which are lovely.

 

[Harry S.]

I use my 5D2 with 35mm and 85mm prime lenses only. Its by far my favourite camera system, Its dependable and delivers results. If canon could make a 5D even 25% smaller it would be the perfect camera for me.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Hi,

Sure! Prime lenses are better for DSLRs too, just as with film bodies...

If you can get a fast AF 50 for your camera, you'll enjoy it a lot... Say a 50 1.8... They have low price and allow you to isolate your subjects a lot more than a 35 2.8... Those 50s are very sharp and producing them is not expensive, but their quality is top... Don't consider the crop factor a problem with a 50: just the contrary! It will give you a great fast lens for portraits... If you already have a zoom, a fast 50 will give you a lot more than a 35 2.8 will... You won't have to stay too close to your subjects, and they'll look more relaxed on the photographs... You can try a 50 in the store and decide being sure...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[Chinasaur]

35 and 50mm. Don't use a zoom on any camera I own. Enjoy!

 

[pb908]

i have been using primes since the first time I use DSLR.
I use pentax, and it has a lot of primes in it's line up which makes wonderful pictures.

the idea of using primes is (for me), portability and image quality!
it will make your packages smaller (which I like a lot) and as well you gain better image quality and more light (compare to a zoom).

so in my case, pentax + limited lenses match my need ! I believe you can get the same prime experience from other brand. until now I have only keep 1 zoom (16-45mm) just for daily use, the rest are only primes for my other need :
- 17mm FE ===> special effect
- 21mm ===> daily use
- 40mm/50mm/85mm ==> portrait
- 300mm/500mm ==> birding

21mm is my all daily cary, small and compact and have 32mm FOV (almost like a 35mm we used to use with RF). but some people like to use 35mm to get almost equal 50mm FOV. enjoy yours !!

 

[shadowfox]

Frankly unless the zoom lens is absolutely stunning, like Nikon 80-200/2.8 ED or Olympus 12-60mm for example, I don't think the bulk and weight are worth it.

Primes are excellent choices also from the perspective of composition. In my experience, I end up with photos that are compositionally more interesting when I use primes than zooms. Maybe because I end up walking and positioning myself more relative to the subjects or scenes.

 

[redisburning]

Im exclusively a prime shooter myself. That includes my brief digital stint.

you can easily convert a bunch of good manual focus lenses to it too, I did it with OM but a ton of others can be converted too.

 

[cmedin]

The Canon 35/2 (I presume the 2.8 was a mistake, there is no Canon 35/2.8 in EF mount) is a great little lens. Buzzy AF but fast and great image quality. Make sure you get a hood for it.

I shoot mainly primes, but have a couple of zooms (24-105, 100-400) for when flexibility is important. The 24-105 is often used for travel (together with a single fast prime), and the 100-400 on the 1Ds2 together with the 500/4 on the 7D gives me a huge range for wildlife shooting.

Favorite prime is Tokina 35/2.8 though, that one and the 7D often go with me.

 

[Gid]

I mainly use a 50 1.4 on my Canon 5D.

 

[Pfreddee]

cmedin, I stand corrected on the lens speed. Thanks! 😀

With best regards,

Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[semordnilap]

Isn't there a fast (1.8?) 28 for Canon dx? 28 seems to be a nice focal length on crop sensors.

 

[gavinlg]

Isn't there a fast (1.8?) 28 for Canon dx? 28 seems to be a nice focal length on crop sensors.

There's a superb 24mm 1.4 and an excellent 28mm 1.8, but both more expensive than the little 35mm f2.

 

[Ranchu]

28mm works better for me on a crop sensor. The lens on that Canon is decent though, with the anti shake.