Do you prefer a zoom lens over a prime lens?

I just got back from my once a month photography meet up at Starbucks and today the topic was prime or zoom. It was interesting to see what other photographers prefered to use and why.

So this isn't my idea, but a discussion from today's meet up. Answer the question zoom lens or prime... and WHY you prefer.

I like the convenience of the zoom for composition but, when I am trying to control my DOF it is easier to use a prime lens and my DOF chart.

I don't care much for zoom lenses, because - I don't like the zooming! LOL I think it's the changing distance as the lens zooms in and out that I find annoying. I tend to change my vantage point as I'm framing a shot anyway so maybe that's why zooms don't work for me. I can see where they could be an advantage if you're shooting a subject off in the distance and can't get any closer.

Primes:
Better optical performance (for the price).
Generally faster.
Generally smaller/lighter.
Force you to be more creative -- if you don't like what you see in the viewfinder you have to move the camera and find a different viewpoint, not just spin a dial.

Zooms:
More convenient, cause you don't have to change lenses.

I prefer primes because I'm not rich, and I like fast lenses. However, I hate changing lenses in the field. It's such a pain. Maybe someday I'll spend the coin to get a high quality wide angle (like the Canon 16-35 f/2.8L II USM) or telephoto (like the Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS II). But I'm more likely to pick up another midrange prime for 1/3 to 1/5 the price of one of those zooms.

Do you prefer a zoom lens over a prime lens?

Sometimes I like Italian food, other times I prefer Mexican or Chinese. Other times give me a cheeseburger........ Zoom or prime?

It depends on what I am shooting. I really don't prefer one more that the other.

It depends on what I'm shooting.

When kids are involved,... i generally go with a zoom.

When I'm in a situation where the focal length is set,..
I go with a prime whenever possible.

Primes are FASTER,..
Primes are SHARPER.

period.

If my budget was unlimited, I would prefer fast primes. But at the consumer price level, zooms are a better value. So I'm still waiting to win the lottery while I make do with a couple of zooms.

Kelly Cook

Pettigrew wrote: I just got back from my once a month photography meet up at Starbucks and today the topic was prime or zoom. It was interesting to see what other photographers prefered to use and why.

So this isn't my idea, but a discussion from today's meet up. Answer the question zoom lens or prime... and WHY you prefer.

You've got a LOT of glass listed below your post,..
most are zooms.
A couple are primes.
The 50mm and the 100 macro. You don't say if the 100 is the L series, but it doesn't matter.
Do some 'test' shots at about the same magnification.
you've got at least two lenses you can compare with each of those primes.
I think you'll be amazed at the difference in sharpness between the lenses.
Compare them all at about two stops down from wide open. This should put each lens near it's 'sweet spot'.
by the way, use a tripod.

johns1947 wrote: It depends on what I'm shooting.

When kids are involved,... i generally go with a zoom.

When I'm in a situation where the focal length is set,..
I go with a prime whenever possible.

Primes are FASTER,..
Primes are SHARPER.

period.

They're faster, but not always sharper.

Depends... I've had a 24mm on my camera for a couple months now. Unless I'm going out with purpose... I just tool around with what I haven't used in a while. Is that a dead giveaway of a hobbyist photographer? Or just someone who hasn't had a lot of time behind the camera recently

Alex wrote: Depends... I've had a 24mm on my camera for a couple months now. Unless I'm going out with purpose... I just tool around with what I haven't used in a while. Is that a dead giveaway of a hobbyist photographer? Or just someone who hasn't had a lot of time behind the camera recently

I don't understand why you just don't give me that lens for no reason.

Scotty wrote:

Alex wrote: Depends... I've had a 24mm on my camera for a couple months now. Unless I'm going out with purpose... I just tool around with what I haven't used in a while. Is that a dead giveaway of a hobbyist photographer? Or just someone who hasn't had a lot of time behind the camera recently

I don't understand why you just don't give me that lens for no reason.

Because it's on my camera!

I shoot with both and can't say that I prefer one over the other as both of my primary lenses are fast glass, both are sharp and both produce the results that I am after.

Alex wrote:

Scotty wrote:

Alex wrote: Depends... I've had a 24mm on my camera for a couple months now. Unless I'm going out with purpose... I just tool around with what I haven't used in a while. Is that a dead giveaway of a hobbyist photographer? Or just someone who hasn't had a lot of time behind the camera recently

I don't understand why you just don't give me that lens for no reason.

Because it's on my camera!