Questions tagged [prime]

A lens that has a single focal length.

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22 votes
5 answers
24k views

How can a lens with a single focal length focus on more than one plane?

By definition, a prime lens is a fixed lens system with a fixed focal length. Then, simple physics tells us that it should be able to focus only on one plane (at a fixed distance) in front of it. But ...
4 votes
6 answers
8k views

What to gain from using a Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.8G instead of a AF-S Nikkor 35mm 1.8G

After debating the old age 50mm vs 35mm, I have opted to go for a 35mm. I have a Nikon D3200 with a Yongnuo Flash, and just acquired a Nikon SB-600. I shoot two things: clubs/nightlife and weddings ...
2 votes
1 answer
416 views

Are internal focusing primes actually uncompensated varifocal lenses?

If I shorten the focal length of a lens without taking any other measures, that will reduce the required flange distance for infinity focus - meaning that if the actual flange distance is not changed, ...
-1 votes
3 answers
251 views

Canon 50mm f1.8 VS EF-M 15-45 mm

How much of a difference in IQ of the nifty-fifty against the EOS M 15-45mm kit lens? I personally have found the kit lens sharp and image looks a bit modern (or not? compared to EF 100-300mm I owned)....
0 votes
4 answers
228 views

How does background blur and DoF vary with sensor size for a prime lens?

Let's assume I have a prime lens for full frame, with fixed specs (let's say 85mm f/1.8). Changing the lens is not an option, but I have a choice of a full frame camera and a crop sensor camera. The ...
2 votes
1 answer
140 views

Canon EF 50 mm 1.8 STM - is my lens normal?

I recently got a Canon EF 50 mm 1.8 STM for my 250D. The unit is brand new and it was purchased online. Inspecting it, I noticed something strange inside the first ring behind the front lens (probably ...
1 vote
5 answers
457 views

Are faster lenses inherently better than alternatives if shooting with same aperture?

Let's suppose there is a faster prime and slower zoom lens which covers the same focal length and I want to shoot landscape scenes with certain fixed aperture to make sure the depth of field is big ...
1 vote
2 answers
83 views

Is a diopter recommended for a 56mm lens?

I have a Sigma 56mm f/1.4 and Sony a6400. I'm looking into buying a diopter because it seems to be relatively cheap and can reduce the minimum focus distance while also zooming in, which I both want. ...
5 votes
2 answers
276 views

What does an 85mm prime offer that a 50mm does not?

Putting taste/preference/opinion aside, I wonder whether I'm missing something, either on the technical side or the artistic side. My question only addresses the context of digital cameras with "...
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

How fast can you shoot your normal (50mm equivalent) lens handheld, and without optical image stabilization?

How fast can you shoot your normal (50mm equivalent) lens handheld, and without optical image stabilization? I have had the FUJINON XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS for about two years now. I am very happy ...
44 votes
10 answers
23k views

What software can show my most frequently used focal length?

Many people recommend a focal length of 35mm, 50mm, and sometimes even 85mm and upwards for those interested in purchasing a prime lens. I, however, would like to figure out what focal length(s) I use ...
16 votes
9 answers
3k views

Would a prime be redundant with a fast zoom?

Now that I am finally getting a fast zoom (Tamron 17-50mm 2.8) I've been considering a fast prime to go with it, specifically a Sigma 50mm 1.4. Despite its shortcomings, it still does really nice ...
5 votes
3 answers
10k views

Can my Nikkor 35mm f1.8 be used as a macro lens, with reversing ring?

Can the Nikkor 35mm 1.8G be used as a macro lens, if I use it with a reversing ring ?
8 votes
3 answers
2k views

Should I crop photos from a prime instead of using a zoom lens?

I wonder whether using a compact, bright, fixed focal lens instead of a large zoom lens will yield comparable results in terms of light gathering ability and resolution. I am not interested in ...
1 vote
0 answers
28 views

Fast Prime Wide lens for Landscape Photography and focal distance [duplicate]

I was evaluating the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G and saw few videos where it was mentioned that it is excellent for landscape photography. However this lens has normal focal distance of about 0.5 feet for a ...
19 votes
10 answers
3k views

Is replacing all my Fujifilm gear with this Canon zoom lens an upgrade?

I'm a hobby photographer. I like taking portraits, which I often do at festivals and conventions. I usually take the following gear: Fujifilm X-T2 (an APS-C sensor mirrorless camera), a 16-55mm f/2.8 (...
1 vote
3 answers
199 views

What's the difference between these two 1.4f 50mm prime lenses?

I was looking if I could get some used 50mm prime lens on the cheap. Googling around, I found two extremely different lenses, but I am not sure what the practical difference is. One is Nikon 50mm f/1....
14 votes
9 answers
19k views

Nikkor f/1.8G 35mm or 50mm?

I'm new to photography. I got a Nikon D3100 with the 18-55 kit lens. I was looking to buy a f/1.8 prime lens, and I found two options: AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G How ...
4 votes
2 answers
435 views

low element count primes render better than high element count zooms? Which image is which?

I was told that prime lenses with low element counts have the potential to produce better colors and greater contrast than lenses with many many elements inside. I was told primes mostly 'render' ...
5 votes
1 answer
455 views

Will primes become rarer in the 24-70mm range for DSLRs like they did for the 70-200mm?

The trinity 14-24mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm zooms are lens that professionals rely upon for the convenience of a zoom but a good quality similar to a prime. A lot of development has gone into these as ...
2 votes
2 answers
471 views

Which should I buy as a starting prime lens, Canon 35mm f2 or Canon 50mm f1.4?

I am pretty new to photography. I have an APS-C camera, Canon 77D with a EF-S 18-135mm kit lens. I want a prime lens for shooting nice bokeh portraits along with street and day to day life photography ...
1 vote
2 answers
3k views

Supertele: 400mm vs 600mm

Im about to get the Nikkor 400mm F/2.8 VR (not the FL one). This is a lens I always desired. I have already planned some tours through northern Europe and hope to gain some wildlife photography ...
23 votes
7 answers
3k views

Which scenarios are better shot with a prime lens versus zoom lens or macro lens?

What scenarios are better shot with a prime lens? A zoom lens? A macro lens?
10 votes
6 answers
3k views

Which prime lens to get after the 18-55mm & 55-250mm?

I started out with the 18-55mm IS kit lens on my Canon EOS 550D over a year ago, and added the 55-250mm IS a couple of months back to augment my telephoto reach (based on the recommendations in one of ...
1 vote
6 answers
22k views

What are the pros and cons of constant-aperture zoom lenses, for a relative beginner?

I use a Sony NEX-5R, and I bought the Sony 18-105 F4 constant-aperture lens. I'm aware that the constant-aperture F4 gathers more light than, say a F3.5 - 5.6, and it gives you more control over the ...
21 votes
6 answers
14k views

Is it true that there are no stabilized prime lenses (and if so, why)?

Fast prime lenses like the Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens work nicely in low-light situations. But I'm quite sure they would work even more nicely if they had optical image stabilizers. It seems to me that no ...
4 votes
3 answers
3k views

Will a prime lens help me get better portraits at a wedding?

I have a Canon 600D with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens. I have a friend's wedding coming soon, and I'm not sure if my zoom lens will do a good job or not. I was thinking of buying a prime lens so ...
6 votes
5 answers
775 views

Can you recommend any resources about dance photography?

My main focus area in photography is dance; and at that mostly social dancing. This usually means: spontaneous action, no way to stage anything or prepare beyond being "in the moment and very ...
2 votes
1 answer
639 views

How do I control aperture with lens reversal for macro? [duplicate]

I bought a lens reversal ring to try macro photography on my 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. But when I tried it, I couldn't control the aperture as my lens doesn't have manual aperture control. I attached the ...
26 votes
7 answers
10k views

Is it worth it to have the 50mm f/1.8 Canon lens?

Is it really useful to have a fast prime lens for portrait photography, considering a low budget? If it is, what about the Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II? I have an entry level 18-55mm lens and a Canon 20D.
0 votes
1 answer
181 views

How do I find a cheap prime wide lens (28mm) to use reversed on a Canon DSLR?

I'm interested in experimenting with the reverse lens to shoot macro but as this is all an experiment, I don't want to spend that much money on it. I've been watching a Youtube video and they said you ...
12 votes
14 answers
90k views

50mm vs 85mm for portraits on a crop sensor?

I've read several times that a 50mm lens will make features like noses noticeably stand out compared to an 85mm lens. However, I'm never sure if the post/article is describing results on a full frame ...
30 votes
10 answers
42k views

Why there is no image-stabilized Canon 50mm lens?

Canon's 50mm prime lenses are all non-IS (Image Stabilization) for some reason. Considering the popularity of these range primes, shouldn't Canon be interested in shipping a new, optically improved IS ...
17 votes
11 answers
41k views

Which prime lens for Pentax APS-C?

My girlfriend is buying a Pentax K-5 (I already have a Pentax DSLR so we thought it made sense for us to be able to share lenses), and she's not sure about which lens to get with it, so I've been ...
12 votes
8 answers
35k views

What is a good wide-angle prime lens for Nikon DX (APS-C) format?

I am looking for a wide angle lens for my D90, between 12 and 18mm focal length, preferably a prime, because I like fast(er) and cheap(er) lenses. Any recommendations ?
7 votes
1 answer
222 views

Is a fixed length macro lens better at some tasks than a non-macro lens of the same focal length?

I'm considering getting a 35mm prime lens to augment my current lenses. I'm not looking for a zoom. I can get an f2.8 macro, now, or special order an f2 non-macro lens. Both are roughly the same ...
11 votes
6 answers
1k views

Why are 50mm no longer the default kit lens for prosumer SLRs?

Every time someone asks me for a kit recommendation I point them towards some sort of prime lens with a standard focal length. Similarly, almost anyone I talk to about the ideal budget kit swears that ...
1 vote
1 answer
270 views

which is better for makeup videos and portrait; canon 50mm f/1.8 or a 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 , and why?

I make makeup videos for youtube and recently got the canon rebel T5i as well as the 50mm f/1.8 and 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 lenses. I am not sure which is better for taking photos and which is better for ...
1 vote
6 answers
2k views

What would be a better lens, 40 or 50mm prime, for walk around? [closed]

I have a Canon EOS Rebel T5i/700D body, an EF-S 18-55 wide angle lens, a 70-300mm telephoto lens, and the kit lens that came with the body. I am still building my lens collection and am looking for ...
6 votes
5 answers
1k views

Do prime lenses still have some advantage over kit lenses when stopped down?

I understand the primary benefit of a prime lens is the fast speed that you can get from wider aperture sizes. But when stopped down (to get a deeper depth-of-view), does it matter which lens you use? ...
4 votes
1 answer
325 views

Zoom or Prime Lens(es) for Wildlife Photography on Limited Budget (Nikon D500)

I am currently looking into purchasing some new lenses to accompany my shiny new Nikon D500 on a safari trip in a month. In the past, I have used a Sigma 150-500mm (purchased in 2009 - see here) with ...
11 votes
4 answers
765 views

Would a fixed or zoom telephoto lens be better for learning?

My daughter has a Nikon D-90 camera body and two prime f1.4 lenses 50mm and 35mm. She is interested in learning more, and I am curious which of a zoom or fixed telephoto lens would help her best? Is ...
0 votes
4 answers
254 views

What lens should a new photographer consider starting with? (prime vs zoom, focal length, etc)

It seems like the generally recommended practice is to start with a prime and build some skill with something like a 35 or 50mm lens first before moving on. If I'm primarily going to photograph my ...
2 votes
3 answers
1k views

Dogs & Portraits: Should I buy the Canon 50mm f/1.4 or the Tamron 35mm f/1.8 for my APS-C DSLR?

I recently purchased a Canon EOS 77D (which offers an APS-C sensor) with a Canon 70-200mm f/4. Now, I am looking to purchase a prime lens. My research suggests a choice between the Canon 50mm f/1.4 ...
0 votes
3 answers
652 views

Is not having AF-S in Nikon 50mm f/1.2 a big concern?

Nikon 50mm f/1.2 doesn't have AF-S, it's manual focus. Given that I will mainly using it for taking portrait where I presume to have enough time to focus properly on the subject, can there be any ...
-3 votes
1 answer
116 views

Are there any MF standard fast primes for Mirrorless APS-C systems that are not available for APS-C DSLRs? [closed]

I am currently using the Canon 700D and think of shifting to a Fujifilm X-T1. I came across the kamlan f/1.1 which is a very fast standard/short telephoto lens. I am looking for sub-750 USD lens, that ...
17 votes
4 answers
46k views

What is a 200mm lens good for?

I just found that there is a 200mm lens at my school. It is a Canon with Image Stabiliser (with red detail). It is old, at least 10 years. It has been great playing around with it, but I really don't ...
1 vote
2 answers
1k views

Does Yongnuo YN50 provide Auto Focus with Nikon D5600?

I want to buy Yongnuo YN50 prime lens for my Nikon D5600 camera. I have got 2 main questions regarding it: I am not to find information if it provides AF with Nikon D5600 body (for example, Nikon F/1....
1 vote
3 answers
665 views

Shooting portraits - aperture size and focusing techniques [duplicate]

I've recently bought a nikon 50mm prime 1/1.8f lens, and I'm learning about shooting portrait photos. What I wonder about is how to focus on the eyes while having ...
2 votes
1 answer
329 views

Do fixed focus distance lenses exist for Micro Four Thirds?

I have a Panasonic GH5 camera. Is there a Micro Four Third lens that has fixed focus? I want a lens that would allow me to just shoot video of my son running around without using the AF/MF, I do not ...