Will you leave and shoot with a single prime lens?

4 years 6 days ago #679882 by Greg Friedman
I was just watching a video from Craig Roberts of e6 Vlogs, and he speaks about heading out with a single prime lens.  He speaks about using just primes.  

But the part that I find interesting is leaving your home, with a single prime.  Talk about being committed!  I don't know, on the fence.  For me, the part that I find challenging is the idea of being out on location with a single prime, and a incredible shot opens up, but you need another lens.  :pinch:   That's the part in general that I stub my toe when thinking about primes. 

What about you?


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4 years 6 days ago #679883 by Nikon Shooter
The only time I will go out with a single prime lens
is when I intend to shoot macro exclusively… rare!

Alway have a minimum of six lenses… at any time.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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4 years 6 days ago #679885 by garyrhook
I've come to the conclusion that the "only primes" mindset goes along with the "get it right in camera" and "never crop in post" ideas: um, no.

I'm also of the opinion that many of the Nikon primes (the good ones) have characteristics that I can't accept.

I do have a 35, 85, 105, and 135, and they're fine. I would only commit to one of them for a photo walk. In general, I have 3-4 lenses with me, depending upon what I think I'll be doing.


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4 years 5 days ago #679910 by effron
I go out sometimes with my D7100 and the 35 f/1.8 when I want to go light. I like zooms and I'll admit it.

Why so serious?
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4 years 5 days ago #679928 by Prago
Not me, I find primes to restricting.  The only one I have and still use from time to time is the 50mm.  

SWM into chainsaws and hockey masks seeks like-minded SWF. No weirdos, please
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4 years 5 days ago #679929 by Prago
BTW


+1 with Gary

SWM into chainsaws and hockey masks seeks like-minded SWF. No weirdos, please
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4 years 5 days ago #679933 by Hassner
If I go walk-about with no ideas and want to try reset my style, I might do the one lens thing. 
But then it will be less than an hour, or I’ll drive myself crazy. 


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4 years 4 days ago #679975 by 7Wishes
I like the challenge of going out with just my 14mm lens and 5D MK IV and capturing something I'm happy with. It certainly makes you work for your shots. 


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4 years 4 days ago #680057 by Crammer
I prefer zooms only because I have more options and aren't restricted.  Plus I saved $$ when I bought what I have.


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4 years 3 days ago #680141 by Khelm
As someone who's first and current camera has a fixed lens (Fuji X100T) I find non-prime lenses distracting.  I like knowing what I have and what I will get and then moving to get what I want.  I'm able to focus more on the composition.  I borrowed a friend's XT-2 and found myself sticking around 23mm (the same at the X100T).

When buying my first camera I received wise advice: buy fixed lens so you learn how to take photos -- composition, ISO, Aperture, SS, etc.  Thus avoiding G.A.S., playing with tech, etc.

I say, ultimately, it depends on your purpose.  Is it simply an A is better than B argument or is it more along the lines of desiring how to use a particular focal length/lens?  Anyone who knows how to use their gear will get good photos.  Do the same thing for a prime or zoom If you desire is to learn a particular lens and it's qualities.  Take only one piece of gear and use it to learn it.  The next time take a different piece.


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4 years 3 days ago #680251 by fmw
Not when I did pro work but I do it from time to time for fun just to force myself to make the best of my equipment.  I have left home with nothing but a full frame fisheye lend many times.  By the way I rarely use zoom lenses.  Back in the day they were terrible.  While no longer true I learned photography and practiced it for decades with fixed lenses and I have stayed with them.  As a benefit they are faster and have noticeably better corner sharpness than zooms.


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4 years 2 days ago #680260 by garyrhook

fmw wrote: As a benefit they are faster and have noticeably better corner sharpness than zooms.


I always get a kick out of statements like this. As if corner-to-corner sharpness is required in every situation. (It's not.) Or as if sharpness of 35mm film can even compare to what digital cameras and clever PP are capable of producing. (It can't.)

If I'm using a fast lens and shooting wide open, then my corners are very likely to be blurry. If I stop the aperture down to get more DoF, my corners will be sharper, but then why on earth does it matter if I have a fast lens? (Given that zooms hold their own pretty well nowadays.)

Don't argue architecture or landscape. I get that. I'm speaking in general terms.

That said, I could be wrong. If so, what am I missing, and need to know more about?


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4 years 2 days ago #680375 by Tim Wiener
I never leave home with a single lens, prime or zoom.  I enjoy having options and the tools I may need when out.  


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