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| *SoulEyes Photography>>>Landscape Photography |
Please provide an in-depth response comparing prime lenses vs. zoom lenses.? |
Preferably responses should come from those persons who have worked with both. I have a blooming interest in photography that has grown over the past few years. I am now on the market for a Nikon D200. I plan to buy the body separately from my lenses, as I want the best lens and bundles usually don't include top notch lenses. So before shopping, the first thing I want to know is what type of lens is better. If it helps, I'm primarily a landscape and nature photographer. Thanks in advance. If you didn't already know, the basic difference between a prime and a zoom lens is the prime has a fix focal length and a zoom has a range. A prime lens has a few advantages. First would be the weight; because a prime lens has less moving parts, the lens is simpler and contains less mechanisms. Another advantage you'll find in a prime lens is that it normally has a wider aperture (AP). In case you're not sure what that means, aperture controls how much light a lens lets in at one time. The numbers are a ratio (example1:2.8 or 1:3.5, etc) but the "1 to" (1:) is normally dropped and just the last number are normally represented. Ideally, a lens would let in 1:1 but that's incredibly hard because of the mechanics. You'll notice when selecting lenses, a lower AP number is more expensive. Last thing about aperture is that it also controls your "depth of field"; which in basic terms is "how much is in focus at once". The best example would be you take a picture of a flower. If you used an AP of 2.8 only the flower would be in focus and the background is just a color blur. In contrast, if you used an AP of 18, you'll see the background pretty clearly. Lastly, because of the mechanics, a prime lens is also less expensive. Again, this is in relation to similar APs. Now a zoom lens gives you a bigger range of framing your pictures. This way you don't have to do a "human zoom" of going up to and away from a subject. You can also zoom out extraneous background of the picture without having to move from you location; all this without using a photo editing tool. So if you're taking pictures of wildlife, this can be very useful because you won't scare off your subject. But the draw back to the zoom lens is the "slower" lens (bigger AP numbers). Being a Nikon fan myself, if I had the money, I'd go everything ED. ED is a coating Nikon puts on their lenses to reduce aberration (color distortion). In practical terms, the picture comes out crisper and cleaner. One lens I've been eyeing is the 80-200 mm 2.8 ED. It's great for low light subjects from a distance because it has a fixed max AP of 2.8. The drawback is that is big, heavier, and pricey. But for your landscape and some nature photography, I think one of the first lenses you should get may be the 18-135mm 3.5 - 5.6ED or if you have the cash 18-200mm 3.5-5.6 ED VR. (explaining 3.5 - 5.6: 3.5 is max AP at 18mm local length and 5.6 is max AP at the 135 or 200 mm). You probably won't need a fast lens because landscape doesn't go anywhere. However, if you're think more animal and low light situations, look into faster lenses. Ultimately, if you're looking more for landscape, you might as well go for a prime lens. But the moment you're looking into something moving, you'll almost always want a zoom. For landscape pictures, you won't need a fast (low AP number) lens; you'll just want a good tripod. For moving pics, faster lenses help reduce blur from movement because you can keep the shutter speed fast. Feel free to contact me if you have more questions or you need me to elaborate on more. Source(s): Former camera sales, pro-mateur. I have been a photographer for 20 years. Let me see if I can help in some way. I am assuming that what you are referring to when you say Prime lenses is basic lenses. These are great for nature and landscapes if you are going for a "basic view" of what you are photographing. A zoom lens will allow you to take a close-up from further away and have great detail. I use a maco-zoom lens which allows me to zoom and get extremely clos-up shots with amazing clarity. I have lots of photos that are examples of each lens and techniques that I use. Another accessory that you will find helpful and quite beneficial to your photography are filters. They can make the difference between a good picture and an amazing picture. contact me if I can help any further. Having sold lenses from the manufacturer for a while, and having been in photography since 1967, I will say this: A prime lens, in your understanding, is a fixed focus lens. In new cameras, there is not enough weight in the lenses to make a difference. Fixed focus lenses are the best to use, but don't have the flexibility of a zoom. The problem with the zoom is moving parts. There are floater elements in the lense and when you put on the lense, you are bargaining off quality for convenience. For the most part, no one will tell the difference, but a very good eye can get it. My suggestion for fixed focus would be either a 28mm or 35mm, a 50 mm, and either a 105mm or 135mm for a 35mm format. You can integrate zooms into your system with a 35-70, 70-150, or a 70-205/210. As for brands of lenses, I would stick with the camera manufacturer's lense, there can be vast differences in quality between the manufacturer's lense and after market lenses. I have seen what some assure to be very good quality zoom lenses, Sigma, Vivitar, and Quantaray, just fall apart while someone is shooting a picture. I shoot a lot of architectural and landscape work and the 12-24mm zoom is my workhorse. It is a f/4.0 so when I am shooting interiors, I use a tripod. I have a 20mm prime lens that I use on my Nikon F4 for most of my landscapes, so getting the 12-24mm for my D200 was essential for my sanity. There is nothing worse than being in a wonderful natural place and having too long a lens (over 24mm). To the other part of your question (not already covered .. prime vs. zoom) in nature a long lens is usually what is called for when shooting wildturkey, deer, large (and not such large) birds and any other animal that has a large scare radius. You are looking at a lens that is at least 300mm (equals 450mm with the D200). Note: Prime lenses usually have a stop or two larger aperture than the same length lens when it is part of a zoom configuration. Editorial, sports and glamour photographer Telephoto-lens vs.Zoom Lens,Telephoto-lens gets good depth of field for your photos,Zoom lens has 28-105mm,that means it has 5 types of seperate distances,means that 28,35,45,70 and 105mm.Landscape and nature you have to use 18mm,28mm and 35mm lens |
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