Ian Taylor Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 The ability to isolate subjects and/or features with shallow DOF is the main reason I use primes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charles_sallee Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 A fast prime like a 50/1.4 or 85/1.4 (compared to a lens with a maximum aperture of say f 2.8 or more) not only allows for faster shutter speeds but also gives you a viewfinder image that is much brighter. Also in the case of manual focus lenses (I know - a rarity these days)the fast lens gives you a much smaller DOF in your wide open viewfinder image, which results in more accurate focusing. It's a shame that so many people today never experience the enjoyment of working with a good, fast prime in available light. It's really not a case of one or the other though. Get at least one decent zoom and also one fairly fast prime lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stwrtertbsratbs5 Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I'd get thrown out of the stadium if I tried to zoom with my feet. The ref doesn't want a 12th man in the huddle. Seriously, folks, so much posturing and machismo. I don't crop, real men use primes, blah, blah, blah. I do the best that I can to frame my shots, but sometimes a crop is needed. Particulrly for sports. And, in some situations, you'd be crazy to shoot with primes. Other times, sure, it makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. sullen Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Good answer Robert, it's all situational so it really all depends on what/where/how/when you want to shoot and how you will be displaying it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjmeade Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 Overall a prime should be optically better than a zoom built to the same standard. One of the good things about primes is that they involve a kind of mental discipline about taking shots. You have to think about getting things just right, rather than just twisting the zoom ring. I don't often do it now, but it's nice to go out with just one (prime) lens and work with that when I'm taking photos for myself. To say that a prime is "cheap" is quite a broad generalisation; an EF50/1.8 yes, a 400/2.8 or 85/1.2 no way. My 2p P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Ingold Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 Thank you, Robert. It's nice to know someone else "get's it" and is willing to say so. I don't write to persuade the Luddites, just to give reasonable information to those who wait in the sidelines and watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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