Prime versus zoom lenses
A zoom lens is the type of lens which consists of more than one focal lengths within the same lens. Generally laymen call a long lens as a zoom lens which is wrong. A zoom lens may have any range of focal lengths.100-200mm is a long focal length or telephoto zoom lens. 16-35mm is a wide angle zoom lens. 35-70mm is a wide angle to short telephoto zoom lens. 18-200mm is an extreme range zoom lens. In other words, zoom lens is a kind, where you can zoom from one focal length to another. A useful tip- If your shooting involves almost always shooting on 200mm, it may be worthwhile investing a 200mm prime compared to 20-200mm zoom as at a fraction of a cost you will get a 2.8 aperture in a prime compared to a zoom.
Zoom or Prime lens
Prime lenses |
Zoom lenses |
Fixed focal length for example 100mm, 50mm, 18mm |
Variable focal length for example 16-35mm, 100-400mm |
More usefull for planned photography when you are doing one specific kind of photography like shooting portraits in the studio or macro photography. Not very usefull in street/travel photography were your |
Faster and hence easier to change the composition and perspective of the subject without moving ahead or back. Very useful in photojournalism and kids photography |
Prime lenses are supposed to be better in quality. |
This was more true when zoom lenses were introduced but with advancement in technology zoom lenses are almost as good as primes. |
However, in terms of quality, a cheaper prime lens may not be as good as an expensive zoom lens. |
Generally, go for less range in a zoom as it is easier to make a better quality lens as it involves less glass and complications. |
Prime lenses are generaly lighter and smaller (not always) ie if most of your work revolves around a particular focal length it may be a better idea to invest in a prime for quality |
Zooms may be heavier and bigger but then they have a range of focal lengths. Modern zooms are relatively lighter and smaller |
Usually have bigger maximum apertures. |
Zooms with bigger max apertures are relatively more expensive compared to the ones with smaller maximum apertures. |
Less prone to fungus |
More prone to fungus as more glass elements are there. |
Fixed maximum aperture. |
Variable max aperture for cheaper zooms and fixed for more expensive ones. |
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