Prime lens on a DSLR?

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Pfreddee

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