Fixed focal length lenses...

plummy · 05-09-2008, 03:54 PM

Opinions?

Bimjo · 05-09-2008, 04:15 PM

I like the idea of them, but I really can't afford them, at least not the AF ones that I really want. Fast glass is spendy & getting a slow prime is silly, unless it's a macro lense. Older MF primes can be a bargain though.

Zooms are more versatile for me. But if I could, I'd have a whole bag of primes to play with.

Killermondodude · 05-09-2008, 05:13 PM

Fixed focal is like a precision tool thats designed for set parameters where as your telephoto cover a wide variety it can never do as fine a job as a fixed focal
Now the expensive glass can do one hell of a job but it falls just short of the prime lenses

SeattleVet · 05-09-2008, 06:00 PM

I'd almost always rather have a decent set of primes instead of a wide range of zooms. As KMD said, they are designed for the one task, and they tend to do it well. At a given focal length almost any zoom is a compromise.

Having said that, one of the sharpest lenses I have ever owned was a Minolta 28-85. Unfortunately, the one I bought to replace it after I got burglarized in NYC wasn't nearly as sharp - there's a definite softness to it. Remember, even in lenses of exactly the same make and model there will be variations from sample to sample. If you can, try out several lenses and buy the one that looks the best.

Nowadays the lens I use the most is a Minolta 50mm macro. (With the area difference between 35mm and the CCD in my DSLR, that works out to about a 70mm equivalent.) I really like that lens - very sharp, edge-to-edge.

MichelinMan · 05-10-2008, 08:24 AM

Echoing what I read above:

I don't have a lot of experience, but what little I have done with a prime,the camera has done well. I love having a range of zoom to work with. It is obvious to me though that the primes definitely serve their purpose though.

eric · 05-10-2008, 02:19 PM

primes = good.

you have to get the 50 1.8. have to.

beansbaxter · 05-10-2008, 02:26 PM

Zooms are nice cause they give you options. But I have 3 zoom lenses and wont buy another one (unless I ever get a full-frame DSLR, then I'll get the wide-angle zoom lens)... with my zooms under the belt, I want to start building a prime collection.

eric is right - the 50mm 1.8 is only $120 which is such a great value.

I missed a really good opportunity to grab a Nikon 200mm f/2.0 VR lens but ended up passing on it and now I wish I didnt. Nikon 300mm f/2.8 VR is the next lens I want, but I cant justify the purchase for the kind of pictures I take.

MichelinMan · 05-10-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric

primes = good.

you have to get the 50 1.8. have to.

It's on it's way from amazon now, and it was only $89

WarriorDriver · 05-12-2008, 09:36 AM

I got my 50 F1.8 from Glaziers, and they gave me a extra good deal, I like it, but I really like zoom's better.

05-09-2008, 03:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
plummy Senior Member Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 172 From: Pooptown My Camera: one pixel of awesome	Fixed focal length lenses... Opinions?

05-09-2008, 06:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
SeattleVet Member Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 83 From: Seattle My Camera: Konica/Minolta Maxxum 7D	I'd almost always rather have a decent set of primes instead of a wide range of zooms. As KMD said, they are designed for the one task, and they tend to do it well. At a given focal length almost any zoom is a compromise. Having said that, one of the sharpest lenses I have ever owned was a Minolta 28-85. Unfortunately, the one I bought to replace it after I got burglarized in NYC wasn't nearly as sharp - there's a definite softness to it. Remember, even in lenses of exactly the same make and model there will be variations from sample to sample. If you can, try out several lenses and buy the one that looks the best. Nowadays the lens I use the most is a Minolta 50mm macro. (With the area difference between 35mm and the CCD in my DSLR, that works out to about a 70mm equivalent.) I really like that lens - very sharp, edge-to-edge. __________________ -- WARNING: Do not look into laser beam with remaining eye! You can see some of my images at http://seattlevet.smugmug.com

05-10-2008, 02:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
beansbaxter Administrator Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 477 Blog Entries: 4 From: Seattle, WA My Camera: Nikon D300	Zooms are nice cause they give you options. But I have 3 zoom lenses and wont buy another one (unless I ever get a full-frame DSLR, then I'll get the wide-angle zoom lens)... with my zooms under the belt, I want to start building a prime collection. eric is right - the 50mm 1.8 is only $120 which is such a great value. I missed a really good opportunity to grab a Nikon 200mm f/2.0 VR lens but ended up passing on it and now I wish I didnt. Nikon 300mm f/2.8 VR is the next lens I want, but I cant justify the purchase for the kind of pictures I take. __________________ “The camera’s only job is to get out of the way of making photographs.” -- Ken Rockwell beansbaxter.com is my blog.

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05-09-2008, 04:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bimjo Member Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 50 From: Pasco, WA My Camera: Pentax K20D	I like the idea of them, but I really can't afford them, at least not the AF ones that I really want. Fast glass is spendy & getting a slow prime is silly, unless it's a macro lense. Older MF primes can be a bargain though. Zooms are more versatile for me. But if I could, I'd have a whole bag of primes to play with.

05-09-2008, 05:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
Killermondodude Senior Member Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 289 Blog Entries: 1 From: Camano Island My Camera: Canon 20d	Fixed focal is like a precision tool thats designed for set parameters where as your telephoto cover a wide variety it can never do as fine a job as a fixed focal Now the expensive glass can do one hell of a job but it falls just short of the prime lenses

05-10-2008, 08:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
MichelinMan Senior Member Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 199 From: Under a roof My Camera: Canon S5 and XTi	Echoing what I read above: I don't have a lot of experience, but what little I have done with a prime,the camera has done well. I love having a range of zoom to work with. It is obvious to me though that the primes definitely serve their purpose though.

05-10-2008, 02:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
eric Senior Member Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 244 From: Seattle	primes = good. you have to get the 50 1.8. have to.

05-12-2008, 09:36 AM	#9 (permalink)
WarriorDriver Member Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 41 From: Lynden My Camera: Canon 30D	I got my 50 F1.8 from Glaziers, and they gave me a extra good deal, I like it, but I really like zoom's better.