Going from zooms to primes, suggestions?

[Deleted]

I use to shoot with a 24-70 f2.8L & 70-200 f2.8L IS on a 50D but wanted to move over to using just primes with the 7D I'll be ordering Monday. My intent is to move to a 5D series when they get updated for portraiture/studio work and keep the 7D as high frame rate and backup just in case.

Going through my images I found I'm going through the 85mm range allot so I've already bought the 85mm f1.8 lens but I'm at a loss after that. I don't have a range I shoot more then others after that. Well, aside from all the way out to 200mm so I guess I should look into that prime as well.

I don't shoot birds/wildlife so I think the 200mm should be good. I don't shoot landscapes but there may be a time when I could do some environmental photography so I'll need a wider prime. Suggestions? A 24mm f2.8 or a 35mm f2 lens? Maybe a 20mm f2.8 would be better? I've read the reviews and they're all the over the place, and really the people whom love them usually are too busy shooting to write a review.

Do people that have an 85mm find the 50mm really worth having in their kit? I'd think the lens compression of the 85 would be better and if I needed wider I could just step back, but that's only in theory. Does it really make a practical reasoning to have both?

I'll pick up a 200mm prime at some point and a 135mm f2.0L when I get the FF body as that's what my 85 is really shooting like but the others I'm not sure on. Would a 20, 24, or 35 be a better all around lens? Is a 50mm worth having if I already own a 85?

Thanks

[RichardTaylor]

I am a hobbyst who shoots with a 40D and 5D.
I also use zoom lenses for flexibility and prime lenses when shooting in low light, when I can't use a tripod, or just for fun.
Most of the time I use a zoom and sometimes I will be shooting with two bodies.

I do not have a good F2.8 zoom.

I own the following Canon primes.
24mm F2.8
35Mm F2
50mm F1.8
85mm F1.8 (this doesn't see much use)
135mm F2 L (this my favourite lens, but not most used one.)

All meet my needs for web publishing and prints up to 10x8 or A4

For a crop camera I don't think Canon make a good wide angle prime unless ~ 35mm equivalent is wide enough for you.

Why do you want to use just primes?
I used to do that long ago, I feel for a lot of photography good zooms are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

[sk66]

I suggest you don't do it....But that's just me. For me, primes are special purpose tools and I currently only own one (a macro). I have owned many, and I've sold them all.

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by Deleted

Do people that have an 85mm find the 50mm really worth having in their kit?
..
Is a 50mm worth having if I already own a 85?

I have the Canon 85 f/1.2 L II (for my 5D Mk II) and I haven't used my Nikon 50 f/1.4 & f/1.8 (Nikon D3/D300) for over three decades. However, a small 50 f/1.4 (FF) can be handy for general low light photography.

[ravncat]

Originally Posted by sk66

I suggest you don't do it....But that's just me. For me, primes are special purpose tools and I currently only own one (a macro). I have owned many, and I've sold them all.

Hehe, we are kind of opposites, I agree that primes are special purpose tools, but I carry many. I currently only own one zoom, and it is a macro lens I have 20,24,35,50,85,180 and 300mm primes.

I don't shoot canon - so im not sure what the crop ratio is on the 7D. The real trick, i think with alot of photography, is to choose your perspective first, and then choose a focal length that get's you the desired framing for that perspective. In this way, there's real benefit to having a zoom. A single prime or two primes even, tend to force you into letting your framing force your perspective. With a large range of primes

I find, that 20 and 24 are a bit too close to really carry both all of the time when you want to reduce weight. 20/24 and 35 are a significant amount apart, but still fairly close. The old rule of thumb was to double focal lengths roughly. (so 24/50/100/200)

Personally I found 3 primes tend to be a relatively versatile kit with small weight. I often leave behind many and go out with 24/85/180. Though I find 20/35/85/180 to be more beneficial from time to time. Usually, I know what kind of situations i am going to be in, and take lenses that I know (through research or previous trips) or can guess will be useful.