Prime vs zoom
- Thread starter 007
- Start date
Thanks for all the advice.
Any comment for the following setup:
20mm
35mm
50mm
85mm
135mm
1. I have searched the similar setup, the most common setup I have seen:
24mm, 35mm, 85mm. Skipping 50mm.
So, any prime user can comment on the above setup?
2. Among these 3 lenses:
105 f/2D, 135 f/2D , 105 f/2.8 (micro) which one is the most commonly used for taking potraits?
Knowing that 105 (micro) can be used to take macro shots too.
Any comment for the following setup:
20mm
35mm
50mm
85mm
135mm
1. I have searched the similar setup, the most common setup I have seen:
24mm, 35mm, 85mm. Skipping 50mm.
So, any prime user can comment on the above setup?
2. Among these 3 lenses:
105 f/2D, 135 f/2D , 105 f/2.8 (micro) which one is the most commonly used for taking potraits?
Knowing that 105 (micro) can be used to take macro shots too.
saveDqueen
New Member
Just a thought, would you be really requiring the 35mm and 105 (or 85))?
those are similar focal lengths as to what you have, why not keep 20/50/85/180? The mentioned are my ideal setup and if you feel that theres a lack of any focal length in between, just compensate it by moving your position forward or backwards. IMO saves time, money and space in bag.
I think the two most important factors (also includes some of reasons that TS had mentioned) when i gave up zooms for prime is because of the;
- Weight and size of the whole camera that you would be slugging around.
- Having the option of large apertures from F1.4 onwards.
those are similar focal lengths as to what you have, why not keep 20/50/85/180? The mentioned are my ideal setup and if you feel that theres a lack of any focal length in between, just compensate it by moving your position forward or backwards. IMO saves time, money and space in bag.
I think the two most important factors (also includes some of reasons that TS had mentioned) when i gave up zooms for prime is because of the;
- Weight and size of the whole camera that you would be slugging around.
- Having the option of large apertures from F1.4 onwards.
kentwong81
Senior Member
Hi 007, you should shoot more and then you will understand what you really need. No point to build up a basket of lenses but seldom use them.
You definitely will find out what lenses you will prefer when you shoot a lot in the next few months. No rush ok.
Join some Clubsnap groups and course. You will have chance to interact with other people and probably borrow their lenses for a try out during the outing.
You definitely will find out what lenses you will prefer when you shoot a lot in the next few months. No rush ok.
Join some Clubsnap groups and course. You will have chance to interact with other people and probably borrow their lenses for a try out during the outing.
fmeeran
New Member
theRenaissance
Senior Member
The prime setup you mentioned is actually very comprehensive. But it maybe too swee until the extend you may not know which to use imo. The common set up is rather good actually, you may wanna consider 20mm, 35mm & 85mm. Personally I think a 24mm and a 85mm is more than sufficient to cover most angles.
Not sure about the macro 105VR as a portrait glass as it may reveal undesirable flaws in a person's face (Not very ideal tho not impossible). More popular alternatives are 105/135 DC and of course the 85mm 1.8/1.4D or you u have cash to spare 85mm 1.4G.
I use prime and zoom lenses. Depending on the situation and what i plan to shoot. most of the times i bring 2-3 lenses, it can be 24, 50, 70-200 or 14-24, 35, and 85. If i want to shoot more macro, then i will take 35 and 100.
You need to understand what you like most and then keep the lenses that you need. Sell the lenses that u seldom use, so other people who need it can utililise it.
You need to understand what you like most and then keep the lenses that you need. Sell the lenses that u seldom use, so other people who need it can utililise it.
Thanks for the advice. I have joined quite a number of outing by myself and with other in this forum. Therefore, I am now cracking my head thinking of the all round setup based on past experience e.g:
(these are based on my assumption)
Imagine that I am walking on a street close to a busy market at noon. Unless I want to take wide angle shot, if not 20mm can be put aside. After that, will be 35mm/50mm for scanning the area. 85mm & 135mm only used when spotting something needed to have more close up e.g.: people or potrait.
In this way, able to stay more stealthy because from what I have read, people tend to get more sensitive on bigger lens (it's obvious that D700 is huge enough compare to pns), however, hoping that with prime, will be more street photography friendly. Furthermore, zoom/tele lens always bigger and heavier. As for myself, I don't think I can held minimum close to 2kg of setup whole day without feeling fatigue but 1.2-1.5kg should be fine!
Same for taking for potraiture, there will be time to either use 85mm/135mm or even 50mm for wider shot.
As for the problem keep changing lens, dust going to stuck on the sensor ,it isn't a big issue as I know how to clean it.
I posted this thread hoping to get some comment from csers who ever into prime to discuss whether using prime setup in the actual field is possible, taking consideration prime are used more for specific purpose. I have great experience with prime in the past, but worry about perspective change (compare to zoom).
A simple scenario is a wide angle lens will tend to make the subject bloated , zoom lens will make the subject more slim.
Any comment welcome.
kentwong81
Senior Member
You can bring the 85mm alone for street photography cum portraits shoot if you dun want to keep changing lens.
When you only have one lens on hand, you will start to think how best to capture the subject and you will move around. By this way, you will be able to find more creative angle to capture the subject.
Rather than pampered by a zoom lens which offer you a wide range of focal lengths, a single prime lens can be very useful to train your composition skills.
I used to bring the 85mm alone for street photography cum portraits. Sometimes can even do a landscape shoot with 85mm if the working distance is sufficient.
Now I bring 24mm alone for family/friends outing. It can capture group photos, funny big head shots, macro shots(not 1:1 ratio but good enough for very closed-up shots), landscape, street shots, full-body shoots, etc.
Don't limit by the lens itself. Think, move and come up with a creative shot
When you only have one lens on hand, you will start to think how best to capture the subject and you will move around. By this way, you will be able to find more creative angle to capture the subject.
Rather than pampered by a zoom lens which offer you a wide range of focal lengths, a single prime lens can be very useful to train your composition skills.
I used to bring the 85mm alone for street photography cum portraits. Sometimes can even do a landscape shoot with 85mm if the working distance is sufficient.
Now I bring 24mm alone for family/friends outing. It can capture group photos, funny big head shots, macro shots(not 1:1 ratio but good enough for very closed-up shots), landscape, street shots, full-body shoots, etc.
Don't limit by the lens itself. Think, move and come up with a creative shot
Hi, bro, the setup you suggested is close to the one of the doubt I posted earlier on in this thread:
for 50mm
"1. I have searched the similar setup, the most common setup I have seen:
24mm, 35mm, 85mm. Skipping 50mm."
I am still puzzle that why skipping 50mm? Most likely is depends on personal preference? I am worrying about losing 50mm range which I think can't be covered by 20mm/ 85mm. Hmmm......
for 105/135mm
That's the minimum I am thinking for subject that is unable to be reached at 85mm.
Covering 20mm to 135mm. E.g.: subject that is shy to camera, a peddler on a boat (which must keep a safe distance from bigger boat or at few meters away) & taking potrait. Which I think is equivalent to a 85mm on a APS-C.
---------------------------------------------------------
Let me list down some possible lens setup, any comment ?
20mm f/2.8D- for landscape and the widest with reasonable price, instead of lurking 14-24/16-35. (considering Samyang 14mm but don't know where to get in sg)
24mm f/2.8D wide angle / landscape, quite a number user recommended this lens. I think is more on the preference.
35mm f/2D another popular focal length that's on the list.
50mm f/1.4D 50mm is the most common on 35mm format, similar to what we have seen (or instead 47mm?)
85mm f/1.4D is good for potrait and tight framing.
105mm 2D / 2.8D & 135mm 2D which one better? The problem is that 105mm/135 is close to 70mm/90mm on APS-C which I can imagine. None of them close to 85mm. But my choice will be 135mm for further reach. 105mm & 135mm are only few steps away. However, open for comment.
Can please suggest a comprehensive setup? 20/24/35/50/80/105/105(m)/135
You can bring the 85mm alone for street photography cum portraits shoot if you dun want to keep changing lens.
When you only have one lens on hand, you will start to think how best to capture the subject and you will move around. By this way, you will be able to find more creative angle to capture the subject.
Rather than pampered by a zoom lens which offer you a wide range of focal lengths, a single prime lens can be very useful to train your composition skills.
I used to bring the 85mm alone for street photography cum portraits. Sometimes can even do a landscape shoot with 85mm if the working distance is sufficient.
Now I bring 24mm alone for family/friends outing. It can capture group photos, funny big head shots, macro shots(not 1:1 ratio but good enough for very closed-up shots), landscape, street shots, full-body shoots, etc.
Don't limit by the lens itself. Think, move and come up with a creative shot
Bro, exactly! The spirit a prime user should have!
Nice setup you have! I also taking your setup into consideration.
Btw, can the 105 micro double as potrait lens?
I do think of it would be fun e.g.: let's say for a trip, 1st day limited to wide angle lenses, 2nd day middle range and 3rd day longer zoom.
As for the saying that one might misses quite a lot of great moment, my understanding is that if for one subject or location, I will be missing tons of great of great shots for the time when I am not around.
However, I am now (still) torning by (with same budget) either:
Primes, covering 20mm to 135mm (5 lenses)
Zoom, 24-700mm (2 lenses)
hmmmm time to take inventory... 14, 24, 28PC, 50 (2 pieces), 85 (2 pieces), 105 :sweat::cry::cry::cry::cry:
In the end, you have to know how to shoot well with these lenses. No point trying to "cover" the complete range. Never did really understand the obsession of many to cover the entire range from wide to tele with no gaps.
Just get the focal lengths you are most likely to shoot. One or two primes will do for a start. Then slowly add to the collection as you shoot more.
In the end, you have to know how to shoot well with these lenses. No point trying to "cover" the complete range. Never did really understand the obsession of many to cover the entire range from wide to tele with no gaps.
Just get the focal lengths you are most likely to shoot. One or two primes will do for a start. Then slowly add to the collection as you shoot more.
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kentwong81
Senior Member
The aperture of the 105mm micro will change depend on the focusing distance. It only stays at f2.8 when you focus to infinity. So I think this is not in favour for many people when taking portraits. And the focusing will take quite long when you focus something near to you. If you can live with these, it's alright and you can use the 105mm to take portraits.
Get a dedicated portraits lens like the 85mm and 135mm if you are really serious about taking portraits photos, otherwise other prime lenses like 24mm, 35mm and 50mm also can take portraits, just that you have to beware of the working distance and placing of your subject to avoid distortions. You may visit the link here. He used a Canon 40D and 35mm f1.4L to take these nice portraits. Not necessary 85mm and 135mm right?
Btw the 50mm f1.4G prime lens is quite good already. If you can get the settings and composition right, the 50mm prime lens can work wonders. I think most importantly you must know what you want to capture first, see the available working space you have, and then choose the focal length(prime lens) to get what you want to capture.
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brapodam said:
It comes down to personal preference actually. Some people cannot live without the 50mm. And most working photographers I know prefer the D over the G.
Yeah personal preference > other people's advice
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