Zoom vs Primes?

[Marek Truchlik]

Waw, new 24-70 is a lot of money.
I have mix of L zooms and primes.
All zooms I have are f4, light, compact for traveling round the world.
Primes I use for more serious work (well I´m big amateur, but when I like to express myself i try to use best available).

Once you do not have any lens I would recommend you buy a zoom first, 24-70/2.8 I, 24-70/4 IS or 24-105/4 supplied with 100/2.8 macro L (can be uses for portraits as well) or 85/1.8 or 200/2.8 L II if you require to have a telephoto in your bag.

 

[Deleted member 42026]

Just a thought, fir the high price of the 24-70 ii, you could buy a zoom and a prime. And a decent one too.

Thought I'd mention that my zeiss 2/35 makes my only current zoom 10-22 (I'm shooting a 7d) look like a kit lens. Not saying everyone should choose a completely manual focus lens, but wise shopping at the price of what I mentioned could buy you one of those AND quite possibly a 24-105 f4 is. I managed to buy my zeiss at just shy of $1100 aus - a good price and its not a grey. However please go and test one at least a shop first so you know if your interested. Don't blindly buy one unless you really know its what you desire.

 

[Caps18]

It is a complicated question for sure. You just have to make your decision work. There will be trade-offs in time or shutter speed. It is faster to use a zoom to zoom in, but your aperture won't be able to go down to f/1.2, f/1.4, or f/1.8

But carrying around two or three lenses aren't always fun either.

I personally like the 16-35mm zoom and a 50mm or 85mm prime combination. You get the variety with the zoom and the ultra-wide photos that the 5Dm2 can do, but the prime when it counts with good bokah.

 

[trygved]

I say the 24-70 (either or, personally. People loved the original lens, it's funny that people no longer consider it an option now that it has been replaced) or 24-105.
I would think the 24-70, though a bit shorter at its longest, will be more useful as you can use slightly higher shutter speeds.
IS won't help you with moving subjects, and the street is rarely still.
That, and the obvious flexibility with framing the subject quickly gives tremendous advantages.
By time you step closer or farther away, you may have lost the golden prize of a shot.

Then you evaluate the advantages of a fast prime.
While I <3 bokeh as much as the next photog, I feel that street photography benefits from putting the subject in context.
If everything is a 1.2f - 1.8f blur of creamy goodness, what's the point of shooting on the street?
What I really look for in great street photography are the details that support the subject of an image.
Maybe a ratty old building, a person off to the side doing something irregular, or a cat that you notice after looking at the image for 10 seconds or so.

It's all subjective however.
You may enjoy obliterating the background every now and again, so it comes down to your taste.

 

[Dylan777]

That 50L is a love-hate lens.

I ♥ my 50L.

http://ramonlperez.tumblr.com/post/34906285033/fast-prime-shoot-out-pt-2-50mm-1-2l-review

Thanks RLPhoto for the headup.

I'll more likely using this lens @ f1.2 to f1.4....otherwise, I'll just go with my fav 24-70 f2.8 II

 

[Dylan777]

Primes have been my choice for years, but I've warmed up to zooms a little more lately. I could purchase a set of good primes for the cost of one Pro-zoom. IE: 24mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4, & 100 F/2.

For street work, Primes have always been the choice for that field. Small, Fast, & Discreet.

I've been considering a 24-70 + 70-200 2.8 Set of zooms for awhile now but its the weight that continues to put me off on those purchases.

I doubt the weight of these lenses are putting you off from purchases....more like BigValueInc hasn't offer these lenses at super value yet ;D

 

[RLPhoto]

A Good Price might sway me, BigValueInc happened to be one who did. 8)

Seriously though, A 24-70 + 70-200 + 50L + 2x5D3's + 2x580 EX II's is a crap load of weight for weddings or events. The 70-200 is 4 pounds and the 135L is a third of that weight.

I prefer just three small, fast primes with two bodies and the occasional flash.

 

[sagittariansrock]

I don't want to invest in a lot of money in glass until I hear from other photographers. I do a lot of photography in the streets with my canon 5D mark ii ( got from eBay at a amazing price!) . I don't have any lens at the moment. I'm thinking about the 24-70 mark 2 or should I just go for some primes for my work? What do you recommend me?

I am quite intrigued by your posts on the forum. On Dec 6th you had two separate threads where you posted "I have 8k budget for lenses and cameras and looking to buy either 6D or 5DII" and "I don't have money for a dSLR, so I am renting". On Dec 12th, you are already taking lots of photos with your 5DII that you bought on Ebay. Except you don't have any lens at the moment ???.
You're not trolling, buddy, are you now?

 

[ChilledXpress]

A Good Price might sway me, BigValueInc happened to be one who did. 8)

Seriously though, A 24-70 + 70-200 + 50L + 2x5D3's + 2x580 EX II's is a crap load of weight for weddings or events. The 70-200 is 4 pounds and the 135L is a third of that weight.

I prefer just three small, fast primes with two bodies and the occasional flash.

That is actually a pretty lite load considering the rest of the gear waiting in cases nearby. And let's not forget a few Elinchrom Rangers set-up for formal shots. Client work is a real "job" so you really can't complain about having to use all the tools at your disposal. When out for the day with the family though... 5D3 and a 50L covers most situs. That is one sweet combo!

I wonder about the OP though. A 5D2 and no lens... hummm! He's never responded to the offer to come out and play with some glass, most photographers I know jump at the chance test drive without a cash layout. Somethings a bit hinky.

 

[RLPhoto]

A Good Price might sway me, BigValueInc happened to be one who did. 8)

Seriously though, A 24-70 + 70-200 + 50L + 2x5D3's + 2x580 EX II's is a crap load of weight for weddings or events. The 70-200 is 4 pounds and the 135L is a third of that weight.

I prefer just three small, fast primes with two bodies and the occasional flash.

That is actually a pretty lite load considering the rest of the gear waiting in cases nearby. And let's not forget a few Elinchrom Rangers set-up for formal shots.

I wonder about the OP though. A 5D2 and no lens... hummm! He's never responded to the offer to come out and play with some glass, most photographers I know jump at the chance test drive without a cash layout.

I don't have to carry mono-light's on my back, so a nice roller case for them is fine. :

 

[ChilledXpress]

I don't have to carry mono-light's on my back, so a nice roller case for them is fine. :

Dunno about that, been doing event work for about 5 years... you'd be suprised how many times I'm lugging around all kinds of stuff on my back while one-handing a camera

 

[Dylan777]

That 50L looks so sexy on the 5D III ....I might have to pull trigger soon.

It performs on the 5D3 superbly and is now my fave goto combo on that body and the 1DX. Get it!!! DO IT !!!

I just did, through Crutchfield with my all time fav B&W Clear filter. All items will be here this friday

Sweeeet !!! I love that combo.... looking forward to hearing how you do with it.

Lens arrived today. This copy seems to have back focus issue. I haven't run through FoCal yet, but at f1.2 the lens seems to be very sharp when adjust to -8 AFMA

 

[risc32]

yeah, rlphoto, i haul more a good bit more stuff than that to wedding shoots. My brother works video at weddings all the time, and he says i use WAY more than anyone he's ever seen at a ceremony/formals, then i use way less the rest of the night. probably cause i'm tired! Although i've sworn i'm done carrying my speedotron 2403 and 3 head around. done, totally, never again, i don't care how nice it would be to have that much power, i'm not doing it.........

(yeah, i'll probably do it the next time i think i'll need it. )

 

[pj1974]

I use a combination of zooms and primes.

1) Generally I find zooms great for
a) travel - when I want to cover various focal length, but keep one lens on the camera most of the time
b) events - where they provide more flexibility in composition (I mainly do children camps, some non-professional sports, and church events).

My favourite zooms include Canon general purpose 15-85mm, Sigma UWA 10-20mm, and Canon telezoom 70-300mm L.

2) Conversely, I have some primes - which are good for more 'specialised' photography, eg macro and portrait.

I love the Canon 100mm USM macro (non L) - which is sharp and has great working distance.
I'm looking forward to a fast (eg f/1.4- f/2) Canon 50mm USM prime (possibly with IS!).

My 2 cents.

Paul

 

[roadrunner]

yeah, rlphoto, i haul more a good bit more stuff than that to wedding shoots. My brother works video at weddings all the time, and he says i use WAY more than anyone he's ever seen at a ceremony/formals, then i use way less the rest of the night. probably cause i'm tired! Although i've sworn i'm done carrying my speedotron 2403 and 3 head around. done, totally, never again, i don't care how nice it would be to have that much power, i'm not doing it.........

(yeah, i'll probably do it the next time i think i'll need it. )

This is basically my line of thinking on the wedding day. I have a ThinkTank Airport Security bag stuffed full of lenses, 3 bodies, and 4 flashes, pocket wizards, batteries, filters, etc... Then I carry another bag with 2 light stands, tripod, and umbrellas. I'd rather put up with the slight hassle and have everything I could possibly need than leave something at home because I think it would weigh me down.

 

[RLPhoto]

yeah, rlphoto, i haul more a good bit more stuff than that to wedding shoots. My brother works video at weddings all the time, and he says i use WAY more than anyone he's ever seen at a ceremony/formals, then i use way less the rest of the night. probably cause i'm tired! Although i've sworn i'm done carrying my speedotron 2403 and 3 head around. done, totally, never again, i don't care how nice it would be to have that much power, i'm not doing it.........

(yeah, i'll probably do it the next time i think i'll need it. )

This is basically my line of thinking on the wedding day. I have a ThinkTank Airport Security bag stuffed full of lenses, 3 bodies, and 4 flashes, pocket wizards, batteries, filters, etc... Then I carry another bag with 2 light stands, tripod, and umbrellas. I'd rather put up with the slight hassle and have everything I could possibly need than leave something at home because I think it would weigh me down.

I love quotes taken out of context. :|

 

[roadrunner]

RLPhoto, sorry if it was taken out of context. My response was to risc32 though, not you, so I didn't mean to imply that however you are doing things is wrong. Just that I personally prefer to be overpacked rather than underpacked and agree with his post.

 

[ChilledXpress]

That 50L looks so sexy on the 5D III ....I might have to pull trigger soon.

It performs on the 5D3 superbly and is now my fave goto combo on that body and the 1DX. Get it!!! DO IT !!!

I just did, through Crutchfield with my all time fav B&W Clear filter. All items will be here this friday

Sweeeet !!! I love that combo.... looking forward to hearing how you do with it.

Lens arrived today. This copy seems to have back focus issue. I haven't run through FoCal yet, but at f1.2 the lens seems to be very sharp when adjust to -8 AFMA

So far... the 50L has been one of the few lenses that always needs a AFMA. On my 7D (-6) , #1 5D3 (-2) , #2 5D3 (-3). I usually dial it in for f/1.4 at about 6-8 feet, once there... it's dead nutz OHN!!!

Hope your enjoying you new baby

 

[Don Haines]

I am really wondering about that - with modern software like autopano, isn't the software smart enough to throw away soft edge areas when there is a sharp overlap from the center? That's why I usually do more shots with larger overlap with my rather crappy wide angle zoom, seems to work so far.

I have played a lot with Autopano Giga..... you have an insane level of control over the stitching process and you can even blend in pictures taken at different exposures and different focal lengths. I find it works so well that I have given up on ultrawide lenses and just rely on stitching.... except when for artistic reasons I want that distorted view...

After all, this is digital photography, not film photography... use digital to it's strengths.... you no longer need wide angle lenses to capture static wide angle scenes, and when things are moving you can have fun.

 

[Random Orbits]

Primes have been my choice for years, but I've warmed up to zooms a little more lately. I could purchase a set of good primes for the cost of one Pro-zoom. IE: 24mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4, & 100 F/2.

For street work, Primes have always been the choice for that field. Small, Fast, & Discreet.

I've been considering a 24-70 + 70-200 2.8 Set of zooms for awhile now but its the weight that continues to put me off on those purchases.

I doubt the weight of these lenses are putting you off from purchases....more like BigValueInc hasn't offer these lenses at super value yet ;D

Now if BigValueInc. would offer the 24-70 II at the same sale price ratio....