Gear Talk > Lenses
Do you go through stages of loving primes or zooms?
willrobb:
Before my current set up I went through a few kit zooms and basic primes.
I currently own six lenses and bought them in this order:
17-40mm f4L (July 2007)
24-70mm f2.8L (June 2008)
70-200mm f2.8L (Nov 2009-before this I had an old 80-200mm f2.8L since 2006)
50mm f1.2L (Jul 2010)
100mm f2.8L HIS (Jan 2011)
Sigma 85mm f1.4 (Dec 2011)
Thinking about it, I went trough the zooms first to cover all the bases I really needed, then got primes to address specific needs, mostly for portraits and product shots where I wanted greater DOF. I'm in no rush to buy any more lenses soon, but when I do it'll be more primes as I do prefer the IQ.
I was wondering if other people went through buying phases like this or do something more mixed? No specific reasons for asking, just chilling out on a Monday evening when I don't have much to do work wise ;)
squarebox:
I can't say that i'm through any phases cause I just started picking up lens but my lens buyign pattern was this
18-55 Kit
18-200 wanted zoom and knew nothing about quality
10-22 wanted wide
50mm 1.8 Didn't buy but borrow a friend's for about 3 months... at first i hated it, but after i learned how to use the lens i thought it was awesome, albeit a little long on my kiss x4
35L the prime I want *yeah for B&H shipping to japan... and it only took 3 days!
50m 1.4 for those parties when you are just too far
going forward my next lens will probably be one of the L zoom lens to replace my 18-55 or 18-200
but i'm definitely in a loving prime mood now... Probably i'll get frustrated with primes as i'll keep switching lens.
elflord:
--- Quote from: willrobb on January 16, 2012, 06:18:06 AM ---Before my current set up I went through a few kit zooms and basic primes.
I currently own six lenses and bought them in this order:
17-40mm f4L (July 2007)
24-70mm f2.8L (June 2008)
70-200mm f2.8L (Nov 2009-before this I had an old 80-200mm f2.8L since 2006)
50mm f1.2L (Jul 2010)
100mm f2.8L HIS (Jan 2011)
Sigma 85mm f1.4 (Dec 2011)
Thinking about it, I went trough the zooms first to cover all the bases I really needed, then got primes to address specific needs, mostly for portraits and product shots where I wanted greater DOF. I'm in no rush to buy any more lenses soon, but when I do it'll be more primes as I do prefer the IQ.
I was wondering if other people went through buying phases like this or do something more mixed? No specific reasons for asking, just chilling out on a Monday evening when I don't have much to do work wise ;)
--- End quote ---
Started with one prime (the 50 f/1.4) and one zoom (the 15-85). Since then I've sold the 15-85 and it's been all primes
JR:
I am actually going through the opposite phase myself willrob! When I started to shoot seriouly again about 18 months ago after a 10 year pause, I tried a few zoom but quickly moved to primes for their better IQ and low light capability. To be honest I also found prime lens to force me to think better what picture I was going to be taking (even for familily event) and this helped me with shot composition (I do mostly portraits). So in order I got:
50 f1.2L
85 f1.2L II
135 f2L
70-200 f2.8L IS II - majority of use is at 200mm but find the zoom very useful...
24 f1.4L II
Now I am better able to visualize what each focal lenght will give me. I am also planning to get the 35 1.4L II as soon as it launch.
HOWEVER, i am now in a phase where I am craving for a 24-70 (or 24-105) zoom for the flexibility of it and not needing to carry so many lenses all the time! I am still debating between the 24-70 and the 24-105 to fill that gap (weight versus IQ and low light again!). I am not in a rush so I will wait to see the new 24-70 mkII before making a decision, but I am definitively feeling the need to use more zoom now for more flexibility and keep the prime for specific occasion.
I really though the prime lens approach made me a better photographer, all be it an amateur one, but still a better one! 8)
willrobb:
--- Quote from: JR on January 16, 2012, 09:12:26 AM ---I am actually going through the opposite phase myself willrob! When I started to shoot seriouly again about 18 months ago after a 10 year pause, I tried a few zoom but quickly moved to primes for their better IQ and low light capability. To be honest I also found prime lens to force me to think better what picture I was going to be taking (even for familily event) and this helped me with shot composition (I do mostly portraits). So in order I got:
50 f1.2L
85 f1.2L II
135 f2L
70-200 f2.8L IS II - majority of use is at 200mm but find the zoom very useful...
24 f1.4L II
Now I am better able to visualize what each focal lenght will give me. I am also planning to get the 35 1.4L II as soon as it launch.
HOWEVER, i am now in a phase where I am craving for a 24-70 (or 24-105) zoom for the flexibility of it and not needing to carry so many lenses all the time! I am still debating between the 24-70 and the 24-105 to fill that gap (weight versus IQ and low light again!). I am not in a rush so I will wait to see the new 24-70 mkII before making a decision, but I am definitively feeling the need to use more zoom now for more flexibility and keep the prime for specific occasion.
I really though the prime lens approach made me a better photographer, all be it an amateur one, but still a better one! 8)
--- End quote ---
Hey JR,
I agree, I think using primes does make you a better photographer as it limits your options in some way and you have to think a bit more. Also, better IQ and nicer bokeh really helps. The way I see it is that zooms are a safe option that give you everything you need, but with primes you can add a little bit something more special if you have the right lens on at the right time.
Before my current line up I had just started working as a photographer and was using film, I used a canon 50mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.8 a lot and had an old Tamron zoom (think it was 19-35mm) but the primes were most used. Soon I had to start shooting digital as I was losing work without a DSLR and I was so impressed with L lens zooms they were my go to lenses for a while as soon as I got some, but now I am cutting down my media work (where I mostly use zooms) and increasing my private clients (where I mostly use primes) I am enjoying getting more and more into primes again. I still wouldn't get rid of any of my zooms though, although I prefer the IQ of my primes the versatility of the zooms are the winner.
Recently when I travel and I'm not shooting assignments I am happy just with a point and shoot and my 50mm on my 5DmkII without the battery grip. Nice to travel light...
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