Primes......I think I'm hooked.

Been shooting for 9 years and finally bought a 135 f/2. It is immediate addiction. Just put the 35 L and 85 L in my cart. Have not touched my zooms (but, will not sell them) since getting this prime. Wonder what the wife will think when she sees the checking account balance drop "just a little" this month? Just in case, any of you out there looking to rent a room out?

Damn right buddy!
Primes are where it's at. The IQ, size, speed and new way of looking at things are all great. Much more than covering all FL's (which is useless anyway imo.)

I think every serious photographer will prefer primes.
It's not even about IQ, it's about how you take pictures. With zoom you are tempted to just randomly set your focal distance and just shoot shoot shoot till your finger feels numb.
Primes make you think!

Having wide aperture also makes everything look stunning.

I'm a manual prime guy all the way. I would use AF zooms, only if I would need convenience - event photography and stuff like that, where being "correct" is more important than being creative.

Also, you can find some pretty damn good primes at garage sales etc for a price of a flash card.

This lesson was a reality check for me, in realizing that versatility and the all-encompassing doesn't always mean the best quality. I only touch my zooms for events on my secondary body now. When photographers are new, and they bring their common materialistic individualism worldly views into their hobby, they want zooms. It's a shame it took me almost 8 years to get my first prime as well.

Primes are all I use now. Though don't forget that the opposite is true, image character doesn't create compelling content. Annie Leibovitz shoots almost exclusively on a 24-70L when she is using her Canon.

edit: she even shot the queen of England with it.

EnsitMike wrote in post #14659461
This lesson was a reality check for me, in realizing that versatility and the all-encompassing doesn't always mean the best quality. I only touch my zooms for events on my secondary body now. When photographers are new, and they bring their common materialistic individualism worldly views into their hobby, they want zooms. It's a shame it took me almost 8 years to get my first prime as well.

Primes are all I use now. Though don't forget that the opposite is true, image character doesn't create compelling content. Annie Leibovitz shoots almost exclusively on a 24-70L when she is using her Canon.

edit: she even shot the queen of England with it.

and by the way... my soul will not rest till I have an entire L prime line-up up to 200mm. Good luck with PAS... prime acquisition syndrome. haha

There's one lens that is an exception, that is the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II.

Rubberhead wrote in post #14659523

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Primes have their place and so do zooms.

Yup...I don't get it when people only get ONE type (only zooms or only primes). I've always had a mix...different tools for different jobs. For UWAs I've always preferred zooms. Same with telephotos. With medium length, I like primes.

I had all zooms at one point and switched to all primes except for my 24-105... Now I am back to almost all zooms if I have to sell my 135 for car repairs. Love primes, but zooms are really nice for the versatility for my shooting.

Cant beat prime IQ or zoom versatility. Which is why I like both!

Anthon wrote in post #14659450
I think every serious photographer will prefer primes.
It's not even about IQ, it's about how you take pictures. With zoom you are tempted to just randomly set your focal distance and just shoot shoot shoot till your finger feels numb.
Primes make you think!

Having wide aperture also makes everything look stunning.

I'm a manual prime guy all the way. I would use AF zooms, only if I would need convenience - event photography and stuff like that, where being "correct" is more important than being creative.

Also, you can find some pretty damn good primes at garage sales etc for a price of a flash card.

I think any serious photographer uses the appropriate gear to get the job done. Do you imply all those wedding photographers using the 24-70 lens as their go to lens not serious? do they have to pull out the 85L to become serious in your books.

What a joke.

Michael Grubb wrote in post #14659519
There's one lens that is an exception, that is the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II.

I wouldn't know... I can't justify the price tag

If I get heavier into weddings or start doing sport I might jump aboard. I really just want to know what it feels like to hold a more-or-less legendary piece of glass like that. I've heard it's wickedly sharp though.

The 135 has alot of wow factor thats for sure

Michael Grubb wrote in post #14659519
There's one lens that is an exception, that is the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II.

My next lens is the 135. I had the 70-200 2.8 II but did not care for the bulk.

I think the 200 2.8 is sweet also , I have it, the 135 , 85 1.8, and a 17-50 tamron. I sold a 135 years ago, and missed it dearly , so I had to get another one.

Anthon wrote in post #14659450
I think every serious photographer will prefer primes.
It's not even about IQ, it's about how you take pictures. With zoom you are tempted to just randomly set your focal distance and just shoot shoot shoot till your finger feels numb.
Primes make you think!

The same could be said for a tripod. The key factor is to stop and think instead of point & shoot. Learn good composition and take the time to apply that knowledge to real world shooting.

alann wrote in post #14657958
Been shooting for 9 years and finally bought a 135 f/2. It is immediate addiction. Just put the 35 L and 85 L in my cart. Have not touched my zooms (but, will not sell them) since getting this prime. Wonder what the wife will think when she sees the checking account balance drop "just a little" this month? Just in case, any of you out there looking to rent a room out?

It is addicting LOL. But then again it looks like you picked up the trinity, in well - a day! Nice!

I hope your wife is understanding.

Enjoy them before she hangs you (after seeing the "little" drop).