zoom lenses and mental problems

[back alley]

i thought my spirit was going to finally be at peace...i bought a zoom lens that covered my most used focal lengths...the 16-80 (24-120 FF)...one lens on one camera - the fuji xpro3...i was pretty sure that this kit would make my photo life so much simpler and easy.
but then i remembered that i don't really care for zooms and that i so much more prefer using smaller, lighter prime lenses.
so i am stuck, sell the zooms, live in peace, use the smaller lenses...but live with the need for small primes and one way of shooting and lose out on the convenience of zooms.
to further complicate things i also have the 10-24 zoom which i thought would be a perfect mate to the 16-80...a 2 lens kit covering every focal i might ever need or want.

clearly my mind is fuzzy and needs an airing out of sorts...which i'm doing here and now...please forgive my mini rant...

 

[Huss]

I feel primes work much better with the Xpro series, as they do not block the ovf. It goes with the aesthetic. Big zooms are better with the XT/XE series as those are primarily EVF cameras.

 

[Larry H-L]

I almost always use primes, faster, lighter, individual signature, and sometimes cheaper.

The exception comes when covering some type of event, such as car race, air show, sporting event, parade... then I use two zooms.

 

[benlees]

Zooms means one more thing to think about (besides the 'this lens is big and ugly' thought that is always there). For a simpleton such as myself this must be avoided; using a prime means less is more. And I only bring one focal length. The thought of actually changing lenses; might as well have a zoom!

 

[raid]

I prefer small prime lenses. Zooms can be large and heavy. It may take some getting used to, but in the end, primes win.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Joe: please take no personal offense but my opinion is that you worry too much about cameras and lenses. Try thinking about photographs. The one you make without thinking about whatever equipment you have in your hand.

If cameras and lenses were that important, Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, Robert Frank, and many others would be nothing but obscure historical artifacts.

 

[peterm1]

i thought my spirit was going to finally be at peace...i bought a zoom lens that covered my most used focal lengths...the 16-80 (24-120 FF)...one lens on one camera - the fuji xpro3...i was pretty sure that this kit would make my photo life so much simpler and easy.
but then i remembered that i don't really care for zooms and that i so much more prefer using smaller, lighter prime lenses.
so i am stuck, sell the zooms, live in peace, use the smaller lenses...but live with the need for small primes and one way of shooting and lose out on the convenience of zooms.
to further complicate things i also have the 10-24 zoom which i thought would be a perfect mate to the 16-80...a 2 lens kit covering every focal i might ever need or want.

clearly my mind is fuzzy and needs an airing out of sorts...which i'm doing here and now...please forgive my mini rant...

I tend to have primes for everyday shooting but also like to keep a zoom for when I travel and want to keep the amount of kit I carry to a minimum. OK zooms are larger and heavier in general but it is nice when walking long distances in strange city streets etc to only have to worry about one camera and one lens. In general though I prefer primes mainly because I like shooting wide open at fast apertures. This is only outweighed by the above considerations as described above when travelling. Maybe you should think more about what your preferred shooting mode is before deciding. Only you can decide.

 

[raid]

My favorite set-up for travel has been M+50/1.4, M+351.4. No lenses get changed.

 

[oldwino]

I own one zoom lens, for a Nikon Z6. I have shot with its, taken it on short vacations, forced myself to use it and possible learn to love it.

I do not. It does many things, but none of them well enough that I cannot help think, "I wish I had used my 50, or my 35, or XX on this shot."

So, it sits in a camera bag, along with a CV 21/4 (which I've owned 3 of in my lifetime, but never seem to take out, but somehow feel I should own)...I guess I'm old fashioned. I also think that limitations do foster creativity, so there's that.

 

[Ccoppola82]

Primes. I’m at a point where if I have a zoom on, I forget it zooms and end up using it as a prime anyway. Primes are smaller and faster. That matters to me.

 

[back alley]

Joe: please take no personal offense but my opinion is that you worry too much about cameras and lenses. Try thinking about photographs. The one you make without thinking about whatever equipment you have in your hand.

If cameras and lenses were that important, Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, Robert Frank, and many others would be nothing but obscure historical artifacts.

i agree about worrying too much about gear...the saddest thing is that i put as much energy into photographs...i look at tons of images, sometime for hours at a time. i look at mine and wonder why i get so little feedback -good or bad-
i look at other's images and try to figure out how they get such good feedback while i cannot see what others see.

 

[markjwyatt]

I own one zoom lens, for a Nikon Z6. I have shot with its, taken it on short vacations, forced myself to use it and possible learn to love it.

I do not. It does many things, but none of them well enough that I cannot help think, "I wish I had used my 50, or my 35, or XX on this shot."

So, it sits in a camera bag, along with a CV 21/4 (which I've owned 3 of in my lifetime, but never seem to take out, but somehow feel I should own)...I guess I'm old fashioned. I also think that limitations do foster creativity, so there's that.

Funny, my experience is similar in one sense, I have a Fujiflim XT-2 with an 18-55mm zoom. I like it a lot, but would prefer primes. I have 4+ adapters, but the convenience of auto-everything +OIS outweighs the manual focus adapted primes, plus I do not like the results with adapted lenses as much on digital as on film with the proper camera. So I do get by well with the zoom on the Fuji.

On the other hand I have the Voigtlander SC Skopar 21mm f4 for my Contax iia, and it has been one of my favorite lenses since i got it over a year ago. It is my Zeiss Opton 50mm f2 Sonnar (which I love also) that sits in my bag too often. I like the wider view of the 21mm.

 

[splitimageview]

I don't see photography or art in general as a contest for 'likes', or comments (no matter what site it may be posted.)

There are many images that get a lot of attention, images I don't particularly care for, or as Joe says, "I cannot see what others see."

And then there are images that I think are fantastic, that get little if any notice.

None of it makes any logical sense...

Just enjoy the process, and relish the results when they work...

 

[CMur12]

I prefer primes, myself, and have always worked that way. Nevertheless, I recently bought a used DSLR with a couple of zooms that neatly cover the focal lengths I would desire. I can't afford to outfit it with a set of primes, so I'll learn to use the zooms (at least for the time being).

I hate "composing" with a zoom, so I'm inclined to choose and set the focal length first, then look through the lens and compose. At that point, I might adjust the focal length slightly for more precise coverage. This renders a zoom much less obnoxious for me.

If you have a zoom for the reasons stated, it will still be convenient for the reasons stated. Even if not ideal, you can make it work for you. Why don't you give yourself a chance to work with it and see. If you aren't able to adapt to it satisfactorily, you can sell it then.

- Murray

 

[jsrockit]

i agree about worrying too much about gear...

I would try to keep those two zooms and some small primes. I prefer primes, but sometimes it is a refreshing challenge to go out with a zoom (as a prime user). As you know, I use the 16-80mm too... and it has great OIS and using something as long as 120mm is new for me. I think it is ok to use a zoom sometimes. Then again, there is something to going out with one camera and your favorite focal length...

the saddest thing is that i put as much energy into photographs...i look at tons of images, sometime for hours at a time. i look at mine and wonder why i get so little feedback -good or bad-
i look at other's images and try to figure out how they get such good feedback while i cannot see what others see.

Joe, what made you want to photograph in the first place? Also, which classic photographers from the past do you like to look at? Do you see why they are considered classic or is that a mystery to you too? I`m being genuine here... no judgement.

I can tell you this... sometimes I have images that do really well on social media. Hundreds of likes, many comments, etc. They are never MY favorites. I`ve had my favorites get 5 likes. The thing you have to remember is that you do photography because you love it first and then hopefully someone likes it too.

Lastly, have you considered taking any photography classes? Could spark a new direction due to the assignments you have to complete. It has to be a good course that focuses on the art of photography and not technical crap... but it could help.

 

[jsrockit]

I hate "composing" with a zoom, so I'm inclined to choose and set the focal length first, then look through the lens and compose. At that point, I might adjust the focal length slightly for more precise coverage. This renders a zoom much less obnoxious for me.

I think this is how prime users use zooms... I do this too.

 

[gavinlg]

Any time I've used zoom lenses it messes with my process. After a long time playing with lots of cameras and lenses I've come to the conclusion that gear limitation is more enjoyable for me makes me a better photographer. That means film over digital, and 1-2 prime lenses in moderate focal lengths over ultra wides, teles or zooms.

Lastly, have you considered taking any photography classes? Could spark a new direction due to the assignments you have to complete. It has to be a good course that focuses on the art of photography and not technical crap... but it could help.

This is a really good suggestion - classes or workshops can really spark up ones creative energy or force you to try things you wouldn't have usually.

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

I’m reminded of the rule of holes: If you find yourself in a hole stop digging.

Likewise if you’re tired of overthinking, stop thinking. Just go out and take pictures.

While I do own a few zooms and occasionally use them I’ve never met one that really turned me on! Not like a prime lens does.

In my case a zoom lens is like a tattoo, you like it when you get it but eventually you wonder what the hell was I thinking when I paid for that!

As far as getting comments on your images goes, my personal belief is:

I take the kind of pictures that I like to take and I love to share my images here and on my blog. I’m pretty sure that my style of photography is not everyone's cuppa tea but what would be the point of being a photographer if all I was doing was trying to please everyone else instead of myself. Since I’m not dependent on my photography to earn a living and I do it merely as a form of enjoyment and as a creative outlet it would be foolish to worry too much about what others think.

Lastly: Compliments are nice, constructive criticism is valuable, self fulfillment is important; having fun is the ultimate.

All the best,
Mike

 

[splitimageview]

Well said, although I have zooms whose purchase I haven’t yet second guessed.

🙂

 

[aizan]

Sounds like you're in the middle of a creative identity crisis!