I started with the Tamron 28-75mm and thought that was sharp...then I got the 50mm f1.8 and that was even sharper. Tamron 90mm Macro... even sharper... Sigma 30m f1.4... 85L... sharper sharper sharper...
And now I can't touch zooms and 2.8 is slow...
My back is killing me and my camera bag is over stuffed, but I just can't take a picture with a zoom without thinking it would have looked so much better taken with a prime.
and so far I haven't found I've missed a significant amount of shots by not being able to zoom... I find that if a scene is worth taking a picture of, there's generally a shot to be found in any focal length, and working with primes trains you to pre-visualize faster.
I think I just need to get better at predicting which primes I'm going to need... I always end up bringing half a dozen then using only one or two... it because I'm too lazy to change lenses... is it because you end up being able to find a shot no matter what lens is attached? I don't know, but I always end up carrying more than I need.
I am gradually shifting as well. If I did not have to chase around kids where good AF is key, I would sell my 17-40 and 24-70 and replace them with a couple additional primes.
I just bought a 15 year old manual focus Nikon lens (heresy) that is sharper at f/2 than my Canon 24-70L is @35mm and f/5.6. In fact, all of my old primes are significantly sharper and have better bokeh that my two zooms can muster at much tighter apertures...and I am not one of those who thinks that either of my Canon zooms are remotely bad lenses.
If you can handle manual focus and aperture, there is another world out there for incredible sharpness, character, and speed (mostly at prices <<$500 each) in old used lenses. B&H and similar places are great sources for these, as is the B&S forum here.
After some time you will go back to wanting and having zooms. There are times when you want to walk down a beach, or down a street, with just one lens. and having something like a 20-35 or a 16/35, or even a 24-70 cannot be replaced.
Personally in this era of sensors I prefer to change lenses whenever possible indoors, so having a zoom comes in very handy b/c there is no need to change lenses. I have gone both ways, from all zooms, to (nearly) all primes, and now back to the mixed bag again.
I won't even go into different gear brands, as that is a whole 'nother topic altogether...
p.1 #10 · Addicted to primes... is there a cure...
Same addiction....
started form Canon 60mm Macro on 50D....then I just couldn't use any more zooms...sold 17-85mm, 100-400mm L....and bought 35mm f1.4(well with front focus..waiting for calibration by Canon) and 5D+85mm f1.8 +135mm f2 L.
Just keep one zoom 10-22mm....
Next in line 100mm IS L.
Cheers.
p.1 #15 · Addicted to primes... is there a cure...
For me the addictive part is having f/1.4 or f/1.2 as my limit and knowing that makes a really noticeable difference that can save the day when light is low. The zoom just doesn't serve the purpose for me much anymore.
p.1 #16 · Addicted to primes... is there a cure...
Oh well, in a few years when your back starts to give, at least there will be some nice lenses available for cheap in the B&S forum... and they WILL be cheap because we'll know it's you and your bad back.
p.1 #17 · Addicted to primes... is there a cure...
SmegHead wrote:
If there's a cure...do I even want one?
I started with the Tamron 28-75mm and thought that was sharp...then I got the 50mm f1.8 and that was even sharper. Tamron 90mm Macro... even sharper... Sigma 30m f1.4... 85L... sharper sharper sharper...
And now I can't touch zooms and 2.8 is slow...
My back is killing me and my camera bag is over stuffed, but I just can't take a picture with a zoom without thinking it would have looked so much better taken with a prime.
Is there any hope?
Shoot with my 24-70, and you'll be selling a few primes :P
p.1 #18 · Addicted to primes... is there a cure...
SmegHead wrote:
If there's a cure...do I even want one?
I started with the Tamron 28-75mm and thought that was sharp...then I got the 50mm f1.8 and that was even sharper. Tamron 90mm Macro... even sharper... Sigma 30m f1.4... 85L... sharper sharper sharper...
And now I can't touch zooms and 2.8 is slow...
My back is killing me and my camera bag is over stuffed, but I just can't take a picture with a zoom without thinking it would have looked so much better taken with a prime.
Is there any hope?
no hope. primes all the way.
sure i picked up a 24-70 2.8 and it is nice but i doesn't see much action.
p.1 #19 · Addicted to primes... is there a cure...
I have the same disease and its contagious!
I have sold all my zoom, but kept my 24-70L. I still like the ability to use a single lens for my walkaround lens, especially in a bright outdoor settings. Yes its heavy, but f2.8 with high shutter speed in bright daylight could take magical shots
