Prime???

[zacker]

i dont wanna lookstupid but can someone point me in the direction of a thread that will tell me exactly what a prime lens is or what makes a lens a "Prime"

I need a good new lens.. something sharp, fast and with a good arpeture range. I have a Tamron 28-200 f5.? (cant remember right now) and a canon 75-300 IS and the canon 50MM 1.8 and the kit lens for my XT.. My shots just dont seem as clear as they should be. I know that DSLR's have a tendancy to be a little soft but...im really thinking its the lenses i have. They seem to work great in bright light but in lower light its tough.

Thanks!
-zacker-

[Dchemist]

A "prime" lens is a fixed focal length lens. Your 50mm F/1.8 is a prime lens.

[zacker]

ahhh.. Thanks!
So thats it? Ok. So now to decide what to get.. not sure I want another fixed lens though..
Thanks!
-zacker-

[Outdoor23]

prime lens tends to be faster than most zooms, unless you pay the "L" Price. Many people like collecting primes because of their speed and ability on the DOF. It really depends whats to your liking, if you hate changing lenses all the time, you might want to consider a good "L" zoom lens

[zacker]

I wihs the "L" lenses werent so friggin expensive! I cant believe the difference in pric for the same lens but with "L" glass.. WOW!

oh well.. perhaps someday!
-zacker-

[Outdoor23]

I wihs the "L" lenses werent so friggin expensive! I cant believe the difference in pric for the same lens but with "L" glass.. WOW!

oh well.. perhaps someday!
-zacker-

I heard the Sigma 18-50 F/2.8 is a good lens, and the quality can actually match up to L lens, you might want to take a look. There is a side by side comparison review between that lens and the L somewhere in the internet. Check it out!

[KevC]

Primes are inherently sharper and faster (more light sucking ability) and better than zooms at the same price range. :)

[buze]

I heard the Sigma 18-50 F/2.8 is a good lens, and the quality can actually match up to L lens, you might want to take a look. There is a side by side comparison review between that lens and the L somewhere in the internet. Check it out!

I second that, it is my sharpest zoom by a fair margin, a pleasure to use. Still a bit "slow" compared to a few primes in that range, but a very good lens none the less ! And quite cheap, compared to the Ls