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Archive 2008 · Primes only?

  
 
AdamHoej
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p.4 #1 · Primes only?


Søren... Im not quite sure what i think about this...

I have the following:

15 fisheye
16-35 f/2.8
24-70 f/2.8
50 f/1.4
85 f/1.2 (Well, it arrives tomorrow..)
85 f/1.8
70-200 f/2.8 IS
100-400 f/bleh - bleh

And i use my 24-70 mostly, but recently i began to use my 85, as it just fits in a lenscase, and i weighs like nothing..

I call GO GO GO!

You mad driving man..



Aug 28, 2008 at 02:47 PM
chez
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p.4 #2 · Primes only?


I use zooms unless a special occasion arises ( low available light, need wide aperature for isolation or I don't have a zoom to cover the range). To me, zooms give me flexibility and allows me to venture out with a smaller kit that if it were all primes. So zooms until a zoom cannot handle the situation...then turn to primes.


Aug 28, 2008 at 02:50 PM
gabimaster
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p.4 #3 · Primes only?


DID you tryed 135f2.0LIT'S not that expensive and is absolutely PERFECTTTT!!!!!!!IT IS a truly "MUST HAVE"!


Aug 28, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Sorensiim
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p.4 #4 · Primes only?


So far - I'm off the zooms for a week, just to try it out. I picked up the 85mm F/1.8 from Adam today (hence his comment about my driving) so I now have 50, 85 and 100mm to play with. My 16-35L and 24-70L will not be on my camera until friday, september 5th.


Aug 28, 2008 at 03:12 PM
chez
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p.4 #5 · Primes only?


gabimaster wrote:
DID you tryed 135f2.0LIT'S not that expensive and is absolutely PERFECTTTT!!!!!!!IT IS a truly "MUST HAVE"!


Only if you need the 135mm range and need the f2.0 aperature. If you shoot landscapes, I would say the 70-200 f4IS is a much better lens.



Aug 28, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Sorensiim
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p.4 #6 · Primes only?


I hate sounding so negative, and I really appreciate all your replies.

But if you can't be bothered to read the thread, why bother posting replies in it?



Aug 28, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Tom K.
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p.4 #7 · Primes only?


There is always this legendary article to refer to: http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/the-case-against-zooms.html


Aug 28, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Dragonfire
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p.4 #8 · Primes only?


For practical business reasons I was forced to purchase a 24-70L and 70-200L 2.8 IS when I am out with clients.
Foot zoom on the streets of NYC can sometimes be dangerious.



Aug 28, 2008 at 04:31 PM
danmitchell
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p.4 #9 · Primes only?


Kaffemonster wrote:
I hate sounding so negative, and I really appreciate all your replies.

But if you can't be bothered to read the thread, why bother posting replies in it?


Who the heck are you writing to/about?



Aug 28, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Chris Altunis
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p.4 #10 · Primes only?


Kaffemonster wrote:
I can't help toying with the idea of joining the "primes only" camp.

Current lineup:
40D with:

16-35L
24-70L
50mm F/1.4
100mm Macro

Yes, those are great lenses and they do their job well. But I actually like that when shooting with th 50mm and the 100mm I have to think more about my composition and reposition myself instead of just turning a zoom ring. And shooting the 50mm at F/2.0 and F/1.8 is just plain addictive.

Primes lineup idea:

15mm F/2.8 Fish
28mm F/1.8
50mm F/1.4 (keeping the one I've got already)
85mm F/1.8
100mm F/2.8 Macro (keeping the one I've got already)
135mm F/2.0L
300mm F/4 IS (When money allows)

So... to all
...Show more

Like you said, your current setup is great already, and your reasons why you want to go all out with primes was the same reasons why I went all primes too. I ended up getting the 35L, 85L, 135L, etc.. But once I got my 24-70L I stopped using the primes and sold them all, except for the 50mm f/1.4. Now all I own is the 24-70L and 50 f/1.4. I just like the flexibility of a zoom and I like not having to carry a bunch of lenses with me on a project.

But if you do go all prime I do recommend the 35mm f/1.4L, 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.2L, and the 100mm Macro. Pretty much the same prime setup I used to have.


Edited on Aug 28, 2008 at 05:08 PM



Aug 28, 2008 at 05:06 PM
mordicai
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p.4 #11 · Primes only?


For 30 years I used nothing but primes. For the past four years I've also had a 17-55 and a 70-200 f2.8 IS. I sold my last zoom last week and I am so happy. Bought a 85 1.2 and I'm as happy as a pig in shit. 35 1.4, 85 1.2, 135 2 and a 200 2.8. Now when the 5d II comes out I can sell my 40d and all my lens will be right on. Well, I'll have to get a 1.4 for the 200. The only way to fly if your not a pro. If I did this for a living I'd have to have my zooms.


Aug 28, 2008 at 05:23 PM
charlesteton
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p.4 #12 · Primes only?


I was in the same position last year, had 70-200mm L 2.8 IS, which I use 80% of time for work, 17-40mm 4 L for the rest and pleasure... But still wanted to take great stuff in zero light without flash. Partner bought me 28mm 1.8 which lives on main camera, my copy very sharp... Then went to 50mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.8. Most use lens is 28mm 1.8, I love it... When I get time I'll post some examples... PS Got rid of 24-105mm 4L IS, but sometimes which I had it back... Hope this helps.

Edited on Aug 28, 2008 at 05:41 PM



Aug 28, 2008 at 05:39 PM
keatonandrew
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p.4 #13 · Primes only?


why would a pro have to have a zoom lens?

I shoot all primes. I don't even have any L glass primes, but my primes on my 5D have so far bested all L zoom glass I've compared them too. 24mm f2.8, 35mm f2, 50mm f1.8 (will upgrade to 1.4 soon), 85mm f1.8

I'm looking into buying either the 45 or 90 TS soon... that would be an interesting lens to play around with.



Aug 28, 2008 at 06:31 PM
Monito
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p.4 #14 · Primes only?


keatonandrew wrote:
why would a pro have to have a zoom lens?


Fast changing action, where you don't have time too change lenses. Sports, fashion, photojournalism, for example.



Aug 28, 2008 at 08:30 PM
Breitling65
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p.4 #15 · Primes only?


I wouldn't go primes only with 1.6 crop camera.


Aug 28, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Monito
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p.4 #16 · Primes only?


Breitling65 wrote:
I wouldn't go primes only with 1.6 crop camera.


The crop factor has nothing to do with it, except for one issue, which is depth of field. Perspective and sharpness have the same relationships as they do in full frame.

Crop factor cameras have about one stop less depth of field than a full-frame camera. Since prime lenses have much larger widest apertures, they can get shallower depth of field, which is important in some pictures.



Aug 28, 2008 at 08:52 PM
DavidP
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p.4 #17 · Primes only?


If you're always able to move to the exact right spot and have time to put the exact right focal length on the camera, then all primes is the way to go.

But when you're restricted as to location and you need quick flexibility to change to the correct focal length, then zooms are the way to go.

It really is as simple as that.



Aug 28, 2008 at 09:15 PM
DavidP
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p.4 #18 · Primes only?


zogster wrote:
and they force you to think more about how you are going to compose the picture.



Another photographer without any willpower?

How the heck do you choose your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO without something to "force you" to do it?



Aug 28, 2008 at 09:16 PM
Spyro P.
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p.4 #19 · Primes only?


Ok I was thinking about it last night and I have a few minutes, so I might as well put down my thoughts. These things are applicable to me, YMMV:

- I'm a street tog, not a studio or sports tog. These guys already have very interesting subjects, models, athletes, whatever, they dont really expect much or need much from a lens. As long as its sharp, free of distortions/aberrations and focusing quickly, they're usually happy. I dont have interesting subjects, most times I try to make something interesting out of something uninteresting, using anything I can: Light, lens, my inagination. The lens is very important for me because, unlike the camera, it leaves a recognisable signature on very photo, the more recognisable the better. I have noticed that most primes have a certain sweet spot, a distance from subject & certain f stop that they produce something unique. Its not that hard to find it, all it takes is some experimentation. And I'm not talking get a superfast prime and start shooting wide open all the time, yeah its cool, but lets face it, most people do exactly that the moment they get their hands on an L prime. Cool, but it gets old pretty quick. For my fisheye its f8 and focus to hyperfocal distance for example. In this setting it produces images with tremendous resolution, the type of images that you discover new details everytime you look at them. Also it draws street lights very nicely. I like to find these sweet spots and stick to them, even plan my shooting around them. Zooms have sweet spots as well, just not so pronounced and more difficult to find because they change as focal length changes. Again, I'm not talking about shallow dof, it can be something as simple as a beautiful flare. Maybe when I grow as a photographer I will learn not to depend on lenses, but at the moment I enjoy using them as painting tools.

- I believe there are good photos everywhere, if I learn to see them. Everywhere around me there are things that can look good, suitable for every focal length, its actually so many it gets chaotic. The spectators can be as interesting as the game, the fingers can be as interesting as the face, the garden can be as interesting as the flower. I never felt I was restricted by a focal length and if I came back with no keepers it was my fault, not the lens's. I bought a couple of zooms and tried to love them, but all I was doing was zooming into the obvious. I prefer to let the lens recommend things around me rather than me forcing the camera to photograph what I think will look good. Maybe I'm just not good enough for a zoom, and I dont mean that in a sarcastic way.

Just my thoughts.
Spyro

Edited by Spyro P. on Aug 29, 2008 at 04:02 AM GMT

Edited by Spyro P. on Aug 29, 2008 at 04:03 AM GMT

Edited on Aug 28, 2008 at 11:03 PM



Aug 28, 2008 at 09:23 PM
chez
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p.4 #20 · Primes only?


Monito wrote:
The crop factor has nothing to do with it, except for one issue, which is depth of field. Perspective and sharpness have the same relationships as they do in full frame.

Crop factor cameras have about one stop less depth of field than a full-frame camera. Since prime lenses have much larger widest apertures, they can get shallower depth of field, which is important in some pictures.


It does since it makes your 24L an equivalent 35L leaving you with either getting the ultra expensive 14L for your 1.6 crop camera wide angle or going with the wide angle zooms made for the crop cameras.



Aug 28, 2008 at 09:57 PM
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