Do you prefer a zoom lens over a prime lens?

12 years 3 months ago #193299 by Alex
;)

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12 years 3 months ago - 12 years 3 months ago #193403 by Henry Peach
I wonder if mechanics have similar discussions about adjustable wrenches and non-adjustable wrenches?

For me the advantages of prime lenses are that they are faster, usually smaller, and often cheaper. If those aren't requirements then I'd rather have a zoom.

Most primes are not sharper than most quality zooms. These days there are even cheaper zooms that match nice primes. At least when it comes to assessing image quality using human eyeballs.

Prime lenses will not make anyone more creative. The photographer's shoes have more impact on whether they are going to explore the scene/subject than whether they are using a prime or a zoom. But it's really all within the photographer as to whether they are the creative or curious type or not. :)

If cropping in the camera is important then it's hard to beat zooms. The arrangement of the shapes within the scene is controlled by where the camera is placed. Focal length controls magnification, and variable focal length allows precise in-camera cropping. In the past in-camera cropping has been important with small format cameras because the photog wanted to get the most out of the small piece of film they had. With the large megapixel counts of today's DSLRs this may be less of an issue. Cropping out of the camera is the same (as far as the composition is concerned) as zooming in.
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12 years 3 months ago - 12 years 3 months ago #193408 by Britt340
I like zooms more.


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12 years 3 months ago #193412 by john_m

effron wrote: 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?


^This

Nikon D200
Nikon 50mm f1.8D, Tokina 28-80 f2.8, Nikon 75-300, Sigma 18-200, Nikon SB-600, Nikon SB-25, Promaster triggers

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12 years 3 months ago #193501 by Gene.Culley
I usually always have a zoom lens on my camera


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