Zoom vs Prime

[Chris101]

I use both. I get to the extremes with zooms: 17-35 and 70-210, then pad the middle with primes: 21, 35, 50, 60, 85, 105.

The Lytro (and phone of course) has a built-in zoom lens.

 

[BlackXList]

I own a couple of zooms, but 99% of the time I shoot with primes and much prefer it.

As well as the additional variable of deciding what focal length to shoot at with a zoom, I find that I get lazy with zooms, I start thinking "that's not quite right, I'll just zoom in/out to get stuff in" whereas with a prime I'll actually move to get a better shot.

That's an issue that's entirely down to me rather than any limitations of zoom lenses.

Having said that I shot a holiday with a Contax T3 and a Sony RX100 and they made a great pairing, so I suppose I can get around my own sloppiness.

 

[Bob Michaels]

...... but, more important, because I don’t want to be deciding what focal length to use while I’m taking a picture. By the way, I also preset focus and exposure. Most of the photography I do sinks or swims on when you press the button, and I don’t want any distractions. ......

Bill: you described my situation much better than I ever could. That is probably why I use the same prime all day.

 

[peterm1]

While I often use zooms on my DSLR for convenience (especially when travelling) I cannot deny that I love shooting primes- especially older non AI (converted to AI) Nikkor lenses the best of which are still very good - their sole failing being that their coatings do not compare with modern ones. That is a small price to pay.

 

[Paul Jenkin]

I'm a bit obsessive about getting the photo as sharp as possible - probably a common trait amongst landscapers. Therefore, I tend to "lean" towards prime lenses.

If I'm shooting street or travel photos, I'm happy to use either though, come to think of it, the only zoom lens I have currently for my Nikon 35mm system (F6 and D800) is a 20-35/f2.8 - all the rest are primes. For rangefinder (XPro1) I have an 18-55/f2.8-4) and 55-200mm - both of which are excellent.

 

[OurManInTangier]

For news or PR work its always been zooms. Offering 14mm-200mm across three lenses with an f2.8 aperture on each married to D3, D4 or D800 cameras with their impressive sensors and high ISO capabilities is very hard to beat on every level from quality to practicality. Some of the primes are always in the bag 'just in case.'

For architectural work I prefer primes but will use a zoom if and when needed. For my personal stuff it primes all the way, though I do have a 18-55mm for the XPro1 which is useful but rarely used.

 

[DominikDUK]

Mostly primes but zooms can be used like primes. Often done in cinematography it shortens the Setup time. One just has to stay with a focal lenght and not constantly zoom around. Zooms have come a Long way but the contrast is still a little softer than with primes but not really that noticeable. More glass elements reduces contrast it's physics.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Mostly primes. Fast lenses for avail light portraits, people, and events. For nature and birds, I'm sure my 300 at f/4 beats the zooms for quality.

For flexibility in bright outdoor lighting, I'll use a wide- to short-tele zoom at f/5.6 or f/8.

 

[John E Earley]

I was primarily using primes. All my zooms mainly sat unused. Now however with the improvements in zoom lenses, digital cameras (both sensors and image processors) and post processing software, I find that I'm using zooms more than ever.

Rather than being a distraction, I find that the ease of framing and perspective allow me to focus on all else.

 

[Hiyawaan]

I prefer primes, for both photo and video, mainly for the bigger aperture, better resolution and smaller size. I find that with a prime I search for the better vantage point and explore the space's perspective more, with zooms I tend to get complacent photographically, but they are useful, their aesthetic effect particularly in video/film to give that documentary/news footage feel for example or reverse tracking zooms.

 

[Godfrey]

Most of the time I use prime lenses, and most of that time I use only one prime lens. But some of the time, I use a wide angle zoom or a long telephoto zoom. And I remember the many many excellent photos my FZ10 ultra zoom fixed lens camera produced well enough that I'm tempted to acquire the current FZ1000 or its V-Lux typ 114 sibling as complement to the fixed 35mm prime lens camera.

Basically, I use whatever equipment helps me make the photos I want or need to make, and that changes over time as subject matter, camera capabilities, and my preferred working methodology evolve.

G

 

[NickTrop]

This is where the digicam "super zoom" category comes into play. For most photography -- primes for their smaller size and faster aperature. When in need of a zoom, which isn't typical, get a $300 superzoom digicam with image stabilization -- something like a Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ70. (There are many to choose from...) No tripod and giant lens hanging off your camera body like days of old. No need for a tripod, shoot hand-held. In light of the cost/quality of these cameras, the stand-alone zoom lens as part of your kit should be a thing of the past, as small sensor sizes and image stabilization make them all but obsolete imo.

 

[markman]

For my personal work, which is mostly street photography, always primes. I like their small size and fast speed.

My favourite two lenses for street work are a 28mm-e (Fuji XF 18mm f2 on my X-Pro1) and a 50mm-e (Zeiss Touit 32mm f1.8). Sometimes I carry a 90mm-e (60mm), but more often than not, I leave it at home.

Sometimes I still use an old Leica M3, and on that, I use a Zeiss ZM 28mm Biogon.

My paid work is a different matter though. In studio, it's all Canon L zooms. When I do architectural photography, my go-to lens is the Fuji XF 10-24mm (about a 15 to 35mm-e). It's only a f4, but that's irrelevant as I use its optimum f stop of f8 most of the time. Zooms allow me to frame up and crop my shots quickly, to my client's exact specifications.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I prefer fixed focal length lenses.

What the hell is a prime? 😉

Chris

 

[John Bragg]

Mostly primes over the last 30 years, but I have recently acquired a couple of Nikon pro film slr cameras for very little money, and also a Zoom Nikkor 35-70 f2.8D, which is a very sharp lens. I have used it for street and walkabout shots, but I seem to preset the focal length and shoot it like a prime.

 

[PaulDalex]

I vote Prime.
Exactly for the reasons exposed introducing the thread

 

[Alberti]

Vote prime.
I had zooms in the time of slide film and color negatives. You can't recompose, crop later.
In BW primes. You know, having a zoom just lets me go to either end of the zoom scale. I've never used it for handsome handling.
In digital primes. But I am a RF nut of course...

The only problem (but a BIG one) is in changing lenses: DUST 😱
Specifically in the field, & in windy environment.

 

[PaulCooper]

I'm partial to prime lenses. I find zooms too slow (f-stop-wise), and somewhat inferior to primes optically. They're not for my type of photography.

 

[Soeren]

Vote prime.
I had zooms in the time of slide film and color negatives. You can't recompose, crop later.
In BW primes. You know, having a zoom just lets me go to either end of the zoom scale. I've never used it for handsome handling.
In digital primes. But I am a RF nut of course...

The only problem (but a BIG one) is in changing lenses: DUST 😱
Specifically in the field, & in windy environment.

Hmm I had one Zoom I hated and it was a relief when I accidentally dropped it down a cliff. I ever only used fixed focal lengths for my serious photography and I shot only slide film. Today, still fixed focal length lenses and color negs/slides and B&W.

 

[ian_watts]

Mostly primes but zooms can be used like primes. Often done in cinematography it shortens the Setup time. One just has to stay with a focal lenght and not constantly zoom around.

Yes, I don't get this idea that zooms are necessarily distracting or time consuming.😕

That second or two of fiddling about to get the "right" focal length is almost never a substitute for being in the right place at the right time with the right focal length.

As a predominantly Leica M user I almost always use a prime lens but, whether I am using a prime M lens or a Nikkor zoom, my approach is the same. I always pre-visualise the photograph prior to bringing the camera to my eye. If I'm using a zoom this means I select the focal length I want (and get in the position I need to be in) before I look through the VF. Fiddling with the zoom (like trying to find the composition) whilst looking through the VF just means you don't really know what it is you are trying to photograph.😀

The only downsides I see with zooms (and they certainly can be big disadvantages) are optical quality and weight/handling differences.