Primes vs zoom lenses

The same focal length can be offered by two different lenses – so how do you choose which one is for you?

There are two types of lenses: primes and zooms. Prime lenses have fixed focal lengths, while zoom lenses give you a range of different focal lengths. Zoom lenses are more versatile, as you can try a range of different looks without changing the lens. For instance, an EF 24-105mm lens gives you the angles of view of 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 100mm prime lenses all in one. Not having to remove the lens as often reduces the risk of dust getting inside the camera.

So, why bother with prime lenses if you can save yourself the time, hassle and space in your bag? The main advantages of a prime lens is they’re usually smaller and lighter than a zoom lens which covers the same focal length. They’re also brighter: prime lenses have larger maximum apertures for their focal length, such as f/1.8, f/1.4 and f/2.8. This enables you to let more light into the camera, so that you freeze a subject or hold the camera steady for sharp shots. It also gives you a shallow depth of field – useful in situations where you want a soft background, such as portraits. You may need a large aperture to unlock the full potential of your camera’s autofocus system: some types of AF point only work with lenses that have fast maximum apertures.

Deciding which type of lens is right for you is down the type of photography you do. For example, a fast 24mm f/1.8 lens is a good choice for low-light photography which requires quick, sharp autofocus. A slower 24-105mm f/4 IS lens might be a better choice if you want to shoot landscapes without a tripod, as the Image Stabilizer will help you get sharper shots at smaller apertures.