Does it take more skill to shoot with Primes?

I use primes because (generally!)
(i) They're smaller and less heavy (1st most important)
(ii) The image quality is better
(iii) They are faster (low light)
(iv) They are faster (DOF)
(v) They are faster (brighter viewfinder) (2nd most important to me)
(vi) I consider perspective (often goes by the way side when I use a zoom and only framing is considered)

You will notice that the 2 main reason I use primes relates to enjoyment of use!

A bit about perspective
Assuming you've already decided or your framing the focal length controls perspective.
If you have a set of primes you select the right lens. If you have a zoom. you zoom to the right FL. Both achieve the same thing. However primes help me remember its an important aspect to consider

Does it take more skill to shoot with Primes?
No. But your running and lens changing skills may improve

snyderman wrote in post #13462981
I happen to be left-handed, right-brained and therefore see things differently than the rest of the world.

dave

I know, I know... Left-handed people are the only ones in their right mind.

But, even the Romans knew that they're all sinister!

jetcode wrote in post #13482475
Yes there is to statement #1. But it really depends on which prime you are using and what camera system it is attached to. Why waste a great prime lens on a camera that can't record the IQ the lens is rendering?

In regards to statement #2 there is a great deal of difference between zooms and primes. A prime is designed for optimal performance at focal length. A zoom is designed to be optimal over the range of the zoom and typically there are 1 or 2 optimal focal lengths where the IQ is as good as a prime (depends entirely on the prime of course) and the rest of the focal lengths offer less than best IQ. The degree of difference between best focal length and worst depends on the zoom design itself.

But you missed the question. The question was not "Is a zoom optically just as good as a prime", the question is "Does it take more skill to shoot with a prime". I agree with your assessment that in general a prime will deliver better IQ. I disagree that it takes more skill to shoot with either a zoom or a prime.

For me, it's the quicker AF that makes the difference in capturing a shot or missing it. Some very expensive lens with superb IQ have slower AF... and that makes them really tough to use for action shots.

Personally I think a zoom requires more skill. For example you zoom out quickly to get more in the scene but forget to step back so people aren't distorted because they take up too much of the frame, blamo lost the shot, with a prime it would just never happen because I wouldnt be changing focal length instantly without changing my footing.

With a zoom lens you basically have 2 or 3 to choose from a framing perspective, its pretty easy to decide between a 24-70 or a 70-200. But if you have a 50mm, 85mm, and 100mm primes it takes more thinking to chose the right lens (if you own the correct FL in the first place). But assuming you are shooting with the right one for the job, no I donèt think it takes any more skill than with a zoom.

It takes being in better shape to shoot with primes, since you have to zoom with your feet!

Shooting action with primes requires you to really know your subject and be able to anticipate and pre-visualize where you want your subject to fit the frame. If you miss, you don't have the luxury of zooming out and trying a second time.