Comments on: The Prime Lens – Pros and Cons http://www.thephotoargus.com/gear/the-prime-lens-pros-and-cons/ A photographer's resource of useful information, inspiration, technique, photographer showcases and more. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:34:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Johnny Eyeballs http://www.thephotoargus.com/gear/the-prime-lens-pros-and-cons/comment-page-1/#comment-22055 Johnny Eyeballs Wed, 06 Jul 2011 13:20:21 +0000 http://www.thephotoargus.com/?p=1006#comment-22055 No examples? And you forgot 2 other positive things about primes- they force you to compose more creative shots than you'd usually get with the luxury of a zoom. They're less noticeable if you are doing street or public photography since they're smaller, compared to say a 24-70 or 70-200. The last thing you want people to see is your gigantic rig- unless you like drawing attention to yourself. :) Primes are more versatile for low light situations like a club, indoor weddings and other similar locations because their aperture goes so low. No examples?

And you forgot 2 other positive things about primes- they force you to compose more creative shots than you’d usually get with the luxury of a zoom.

They’re less noticeable if you are doing street or public photography since they’re smaller, compared to say a 24-70 or 70-200. The last thing you want people to see is your gigantic rig- unless you like drawing attention to yourself. :)

Primes are more versatile for low light situations like a club, indoor weddings and other similar locations because their aperture goes so low.

]]> By: Jim Denham http://www.thephotoargus.com/gear/the-prime-lens-pros-and-cons/comment-page-1/#comment-3472 Jim Denham Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:40:55 +0000 http://www.thephotoargus.com/?p=1006#comment-3472 I, too, love my 50mm prime, especially for portrait shots. The images are unbelievably sharp and depth of field control is amazing. Great post! I, too, love my 50mm prime, especially for portrait shots. The images are unbelievably sharp and depth of field control is amazing. Great post!

]]> By: Luke http://www.thephotoargus.com/gear/the-prime-lens-pros-and-cons/comment-page-1/#comment-1135 Luke Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:17:29 +0000 http://www.thephotoargus.com/?p=1006#comment-1135 Another "con", which may not be obvious to all, but is certainly something to bear in mind for someone in my circumstance, is the fact that (recognizing the pros/cons above), having prime lenses for a number of situations which you might be/are planning to shoot takes up real estate in a bag and adds to the weight of your kit. I am currently traveling around SE Asia, and whilst my Canon 50mm f1.8 did make it into my bag of tricks, if I were to carry primes for the focal lengths I would possibly be shooting at, I would be well and truly over the baggage limits which I already routinely nudge. Primes are great, I will certainly pay that, but, unfortunately, zooms will always have to be a standard piece of my kit. Another “con”, which may not be obvious to all, but is certainly something to bear in mind for someone in my circumstance, is the fact that (recognizing the pros/cons above), having prime lenses for a number of situations which you might be/are planning to shoot takes up real estate in a bag and adds to the weight of your kit.

I am currently traveling around SE Asia, and whilst my Canon 50mm f1.8 did make it into my bag of tricks, if I were to carry primes for the focal lengths I would possibly be shooting at, I would be well and truly over the baggage limits which I already routinely nudge.

Primes are great, I will certainly pay that, but, unfortunately, zooms will always have to be a standard piece of my kit.

]]> By: Dee http://www.thephotoargus.com/gear/the-prime-lens-pros-and-cons/comment-page-1/#comment-1071 Dee Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:52:38 +0000 http://www.thephotoargus.com/?p=1006#comment-1071 I love prime lenses for shooting portraits especially. Thanks for this sharing this! It is clear enough about how good prime lens can be! I have 2 for my D40! =) I love prime lenses for shooting portraits especially. Thanks for this sharing this! It is clear enough about how good prime lens can be! I have 2 for my D40! =)

]]>