Prime or Zoom?

[lightandlife]

Over the years I have pondered this question, like millions of others before me. The answer depends on technology, which is constantly changing.

One is usually happy with the shots from a prime, but cannot always get a good shot when mobility is limited. One can always get a picture from a zoom, but quality is good only if the mid range of the zoom is used.

So I started with zoom lenses, but am gradually leaning toward primes. Had I known this, I could have saved some money.

Anybody moving in the opposite direction?

[robertwgross]

If I shot mostly in a studio setting, I would likely use prime lenses. I could move my tripod closer or farther, depending on the subject. I could change from one prime lens to another, and in a clean studio, the chance of getting extra dust into the works is not great.

However, I don't. I shoot out in nature. I'm dragging my camera or cameras along ten or twenty miles of trail per day. I may be shooting a flower close-up one minute and then shooting a broad scenic landscape the next minute. I need the minimal weight in lenses to cover the most situations. Further, outside in the weather is a bad place to be switching from one prime lens to another.

As a result, I shoot about 80-90% with one wide range zoom, and most of the rest with one wide angle zoom. A little gets shot with the telephoto zooms. I shoot about 50% film and 50% digital.

---Bob Gross---

[lightandlife]

robertwgross wrote:

As a result, I shoot about 80-90% with one wide range zoom, and most of the rest with one wide angle zoom. A little gets shot with the telephoto zooms. I shoot about 50% film and 50% digital.

---Bob Gross---

Thanks for your candid opinion. Which wide range zoom do you use? I am curious.

[robertwgross]

The workhorse is the Canon 28-200mm zoom. I call that wide range. Then for serious wide angle, I use the Canon 20-35mm zoom. Once in a great while, I will use my Canon 75-300mm zoom or my Sigma 170-500mm zoom (with optional trailer).

You know, I have one of those little 50mm f1.8 Canon lenses, and I have yet to get a really great shot with it.

I move these lenses back and forth between the D60 digital and the Rebel G film camera.

---Bob Gross---

[ChrisNardone]

Coming from astrophotography, I have been brainwashed into believing that primes are infinitely superior to zooms. Which may be true for some situations, but most of the time pictures from my 70-200 f/4L look better than from my 300 f/4L IS. My 50 f/1.8 prime definitely wins though. Anyway, I personally need a mix. I have:
17-40L
28-135 IS
50
70-200L
300L
1.4x TC
Size and weight was a driving factor for me. My next lens will be another prime, probably a macro.

[lightandlife]

robertwgross wrote:
You know, I have one of those little 50mm f1.8 Canon lenses, and I have yet to get a really great shot with it.

---Bob Gross---

There is no point in comparing a poor prime and a good zoom.

The intent was to compare best primes and best zooms. Here is one shot with a prime. I apologize for not being able to embed it here.
http://www.pbase.com/image/20279037
Maybe someone could present a shot from a best zoom?