Comments on: Prime Lenses – an Introduction http://digital-photography-school.com/prime-lenses-an-introduction Discover how to use your digital camera with our Digital Photography Tips. We are a community of photographers of all experience levels who come together to learn, share and grow in our understanding of photography. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:05:20 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Stuart Meyer, Greenwood, IN http://digital-photography-school.com/prime-lenses-an-introduction/comment-page-2#comment-73331 Stuart Meyer, Greenwood, IN Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:56:48 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/prime-lenses-an-introduction/#comment-73331 This is a reply to Kurt Jensen's comment (above). I understand your liking of Nikon because I used to shoot Nikon and switched to Canon. I like much of Nikon's glass too, but I don't believe any system is completely superior to the other. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. A camera and lenses are just tools, and one learns to compensate for any shortcomings of the system being used. Most professional wedding photographers I work with in Indianapolis, Indiana use Canon, and I suspect this is the case with most professionals elsewhere. But, I do know professionals who have migrated back to Nikon due to it's excellent lineup of new camera bodies such as the D3 and D700. This is a reply to Kurt Jensen’s comment (above). I understand your liking of Nikon because I used to shoot Nikon and switched to Canon. I like much of Nikon’s glass too, but I don’t believe any system is completely superior to the other. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. A camera and lenses are just tools, and one learns to compensate for any shortcomings of the system being used. Most professional wedding photographers I work with in Indianapolis, Indiana use Canon, and I suspect this is the case with most professionals elsewhere. But, I do know professionals who have migrated back to Nikon due to it’s excellent lineup of new camera bodies such as the D3 and D700.

]]> By: Stuart Meyer, Greenwood, IN http://digital-photography-school.com/prime-lenses-an-introduction/comment-page-2#comment-73313 Stuart Meyer, Greenwood, IN Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:28:50 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/prime-lenses-an-introduction/#comment-73313 I've become addicted to prime lenses for one reason that trumps all others - quality. Sure, they're expensive, but they're tack sharp, have creamy smooth bokeh for selective focus, superior color contrast, and let in lots of light. My favorite is the Canon 85/1.2, which is sharp even near wide open, followed by the 35/1.4 and 24/1.4. I haven't used a zoom for a while and recently put the 24-70 f/2.8 on the 5DII, completely forgetting to zoom in and out and using my feet instead. I hadn't realized how much I had become accustomed to moving around to get the best shot. I’ve become addicted to prime lenses for one reason that trumps all others – quality. Sure, they’re expensive, but they’re tack sharp, have creamy smooth bokeh for selective focus, superior color contrast, and let in lots of light. My favorite is the Canon 85/1.2, which is sharp even near wide open, followed by the 35/1.4 and 24/1.4. I haven’t used a zoom for a while and recently put the 24-70 f/2.8 on the 5DII, completely forgetting to zoom in and out and using my feet instead. I hadn’t realized how much I had become accustomed to moving around to get the best shot.

]]> By: Suffolk Wedding Photographer http://digital-photography-school.com/prime-lenses-an-introduction/comment-page-2#comment-70686 Suffolk Wedding Photographer Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:46:17 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/prime-lenses-an-introduction/#comment-70686 As I mentioned in my other comment - I'm thinking about moving back to primes. I'm starting to feel like I should move my feet more and look for composition, rather than zoom in and out all day. One day, possibly next season when I have an assistant, I'll give shooting an entire wedding on one prime a shot. Possibly the 35 1.4L The more I think about it, the more the idea of using primes appeals to me. As I mentioned in my other comment – I’m thinking about moving back to primes.

I’m starting to feel like I should move my feet more and look for composition, rather than zoom in and out all day.

One day, possibly next season when I have an assistant, I’ll give shooting an entire wedding on one prime a shot. Possibly the 35 1.4L

The more I think about it, the more the idea of using primes appeals to me.

]]> By: David G Foster http://digital-photography-school.com/prime-lenses-an-introduction/comment-page-2#comment-67245 David G Foster Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:31:03 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/prime-lenses-an-introduction/#comment-67245 I haverecently bought my first "prime" lens, a Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM and it's brilliant. I totally agree that a prime lens makes you compose a picture with much more thought from different perspectives. It is good also for portrait. However, the next lens I buy (soon) will be a Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L USM and a EF 1.4 extender which I think will last me a lifetime along with my EF-S 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM. I will use the above on my EOS 50D 15.1 megapixels body and enjoy creating wonderful pictires for the rest of my life. What do you think? Best Regards, David. I haverecently bought my first “prime” lens, a Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM and it’s brilliant. I totally agree that a prime lens makes you compose a picture with much more thought from different perspectives. It is good also for portrait. However, the next lens I buy (soon) will be a Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L USM and a EF 1.4 extender which I think will last me a lifetime along with my EF-S 15-85mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM.

I will use the above on my EOS 50D 15.1 megapixels body and enjoy creating wonderful pictires for the rest of my life. What do you think?

Best Regards,

David.

]]> By: jhelfer http://digital-photography-school.com/prime-lenses-an-introduction/comment-page-2#comment-65184 jhelfer Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:42:07 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/prime-lenses-an-introduction/#comment-65184 My prime lenses are the Canon 50MM 1.8 and the Canon 135MM 2.8 w/soft focus. I really love the 135 for portrait work but it is a bit long for my studio. My prime lenses are the Canon 50MM 1.8 and the Canon 135MM 2.8 w/soft focus. I really love the 135 for portrait work but it is a bit long for my studio.

]]> By: Kurt Jensen http://digital-photography-school.com/prime-lenses-an-introduction/comment-page-2#comment-63752 Kurt Jensen Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:31:25 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/prime-lenses-an-introduction/#comment-63752 I'm very happy about the digital photography school, and I read it with joy most of the time. But there is some that irritates me about it. To me it looks as you are sponsered by Canon or smething like that, because almost all articles about gear is about Canon. I use Nikon myself, because I think it gives better Coulors and sharper images and had since my early ears in photo been the number one brend for me. Nikon is in my opinion still ahead towards Canon, Sony, Pentax and other brands that are for nonpros like myself, when it comes to DSLR, and especially compered to the value for money princip. I would like you to be more into all the brands and not only about Canon, almost every article I read so far on this side, about pro-gear, is about Canon, but when I look what most of the pros. are using it, often is Nikon that is prefered. I hope in future to read more abou other brands and not only about Canon. Sorry about my bad writing in English, but I'm not to much use to corespond in this. I’m very happy about the digital photography school, and I read it with joy most of the time.
But there is some that irritates me about it. To me it looks as you are sponsered by Canon or smething like that, because almost all articles about gear is about Canon.
I use Nikon myself, because I think it gives better Coulors and sharper images and had since my early ears in photo been the number one brend for me. Nikon is in my opinion still ahead towards Canon, Sony, Pentax and other brands that are for nonpros like myself, when it comes to DSLR, and especially compered to the value for money princip.
I would like you to be more into all the brands and not only about Canon, almost every article I read so far on this side, about pro-gear, is about Canon, but when I look what most of the pros. are using it, often is Nikon that is prefered.
I hope in future to read more abou other brands and not only about Canon.
Sorry about my bad writing in English, but I’m not to much use to corespond in this.

]]> By: Elizabeth Halford http://digital-photography-school.com/prime-lenses-an-introduction/comment-page-2#comment-63251 Elizabeth Halford Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:02:02 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/prime-lenses-an-introduction/#comment-63251 Hi Darren! Great post. I also use Canon and, surprisingly to some, I only have a 450 and a 500. I decided to spend it all on lenses and use a more basic camera. I usually travel with both cameras. One always has a wide angle (24mm 2.8) and the other either has a 50mm 1.4 or 85mm 1.4. I've also got an 18-200mm zoom which I rarely use. I've actually gotten more exercise since switching to prime because when I shoot (mostly children) I am running around, laying on the ground, climbing up a ladder, running closer, backing up...I hurt at the end of a shoot like a day at the gym! Great post - thanks! Hi Darren! Great post. I also use Canon and, surprisingly to some, I only have a 450 and a 500. I decided to spend it all on lenses and use a more basic camera. I usually travel with both cameras. One always has a wide angle (24mm 2.8) and the other either has a 50mm 1.4 or 85mm 1.4. I’ve also got an 18-200mm zoom which I rarely use. I’ve actually gotten more exercise since switching to prime because when I shoot (mostly children) I am running around, laying on the ground, climbing up a ladder, running closer, backing up…I hurt at the end of a shoot like a day at the gym! Great post – thanks!

]]> By: Nod http://digital-photography-school.com/prime-lenses-an-introduction/comment-page-2#comment-62823 Nod Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:24:53 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/prime-lenses-an-introduction/#comment-62823 I just purchased a used Minolta 50mmf1.7 for my Sony a100 and I love it! It is crisp, lightweight, perfect. I got it for $100 on ebay and it is in great condition for an old lens. I'm looking for a 100mm next. I just purchased a used Minolta 50mmf1.7 for my Sony a100 and I love it! It is crisp, lightweight, perfect. I got it for $100 on ebay and it is in great condition for an old lens. I’m looking for a 100mm next.

]]> By: tvnewsbadge http://digital-photography-school.com/prime-lenses-an-introduction/comment-page-2#comment-61320 tvnewsbadge Sun, 16 Aug 2009 02:39:47 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/prime-lenses-an-introduction/#comment-61320 I too have the Nikon 35mm f2d and of course everyone has the 50mm f1.8D, which I rotate with the 35mm (unless I being lazy). I also have the Nikon 24mm f2.8D, which sees occasional use and the 180 2.8 which I love and use ALOT. It's ironic because I've found that even when I have a good zoom on the camera, I only use the widest setting and the most "tele" setting, so there's a lot of wasted real estate and I'm giving up that extra stop or so for nothing. Of course, switching lenses is a royal pain, but I think the handling/speed advantage of a prime more than makes up for that;. I too have the Nikon 35mm f2d and of course everyone has the 50mm f1.8D, which I rotate with the 35mm (unless I being lazy).
I also have the Nikon 24mm f2.8D, which sees occasional use and the 180 2.8 which I love and use ALOT.

It’s ironic because I’ve found that even when I have a good zoom on the camera, I only use the widest setting and the most “tele” setting, so there’s a lot of wasted real estate and I’m giving up that extra stop or so for nothing.

Of course, switching lenses is a royal pain, but I think the handling/speed advantage of a prime more than makes up for that;.

]]> By: Deborah http://digital-photography-school.com/prime-lenses-an-introduction/comment-page-2#comment-60276 Deborah Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:40:19 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/prime-lenses-an-introduction/#comment-60276 I bought the Nikon 35mm f2D about 2 months ago, and it quickly became my default lens. The more I use it the more I love Primes! This lens has taken the place in my bag the 50mm f1.8D used to have. I just returned from a quick trip to San Diego with this lens as well as the 18-200mmVR. I never used the 18-200mmVR. Which I confess surprised me a great deal as I really like that lens. I love the low light capabilities of the primes as well as the speed, color rendition, and sharpness. It beats my 18-200mmVR any day. I would like to add a longer focal length prime lens to compliment my 70-300mmVR lens. The 135mm f2, or 180mm f2 is what I'm thinking. I shoot a lot of outdoor landscapes, wildlife, flowers, and the odd portrait. Any thoughts or advice I'd love to hear them. Deborah I bought the Nikon 35mm f2D about 2 months ago, and it quickly became my default lens. The more I use it the more I love Primes! This lens has taken the place in my bag the 50mm f1.8D used to have.

I just returned from a quick trip to San Diego with this lens as well as the 18-200mmVR. I never used the 18-200mmVR. Which I confess surprised me a great deal as I really like that lens. I love the low light capabilities of the primes as well as the speed, color rendition, and sharpness. It beats my 18-200mmVR any day.

I would like to add a longer focal length prime lens to compliment my 70-300mmVR lens. The 135mm f2, or 180mm f2 is what I’m thinking. I shoot a lot of outdoor landscapes, wildlife, flowers, and the odd portrait. Any thoughts or advice I’d love to hear them.

Deborah

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