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Quality vs. Flexibility; The Benefits of Using Prime Lenses Over Zooms

Quality Vs. Flexibility; The Benefits Of Using Prime Lenses Over Zooms

When it comes to videography and photography alike, the choice between prime lenses and zoom lenses is one we're often asked.

Both have their merits, but lets explore the benefits of prime lenses, particularly their superior image quality and speed, while also addressing the trade-off

Superior Image Quality

One of the most obvious reasons to choose a prime lens is the exceptional image quality it delivers. Prime lenses are designed for a single focal length, which allows manufacturers to optimise the internal elements for that specific focal length. This results in sharper images with fewer distortions compared to zoom lenses (which must compromise to accommodate a variation of focal lengths).

This lack of needing to adjust means prime lenses are also simpler, with fewer glass elements inside, reducing the potential for light scattering and internal reflections. This translates to images with better contrast, clarity, and overall sharpness. For DOPs and photographers, who will generally prioritise image quality over all else, prime lenses are often the go-to choice. Whereas people who want to capture live events or are shooting run-and-gun videography or photography, their priority may be on quick image acquisition, which we will address in a minute.

Faster Apertures For Low Light And Creative Effects

Prime lenses are renowned for their wide maximum apertures, often ranging from f/1.2 (a few examples can go less than this but below f/1.2 we are getting into quite specialist glass territory, such as the vintage Leica Noctilux which boasts a staggering f/0.95). This allows more light to reach the camera’s sensor, making prime lenses ideal for low-light situations where zoom lenses might struggle. With a fast prime lens, you can shoot in dimly lit environments without having to crank up the ISO, which can introduce noise and degrade image quality. Whilst newer cameras handle high ISO better than older models, there's still an optimum ISO and cameras will always just look better when they're being used at their optimal settings.

The wide apertures of prime lenses also enable stunning depth-of-field effects. Whether you’re shooting a portrait with a creamy, blurred background (also referred to as bokeh) or isolating a subject in a busy scene, prime lenses give you the creative control to achieve these effects with ease. Zoom lenses, especially those with variable apertures, often can’t match the speed and versatility of primes and therefore limit the softness capable around the edges and the naturally looking drop off you can create.

Compact And Lightweight Design

Due to the simpler internal designs prime lenses are typically smaller and lighter than zoom lenses, so whether you’re travelling from location to location, moving quickly around a studio or wedding venue, or simply taking a camera and lens around for your holiday, a prime lens can be a more comfortable option. With more glass inside, zooms are physically bigger and physically heavier.. and often the bigger the zoom range, the bigger the lens. Once you get into film lenses such as the Angeneiux 24-290, Arri Alura 45-250 or the Canon CN20 (50-1000mm) you get into the territory of your lens dwarfing the size and weight of even the bigger cameras, especially if you're also not willing to sacrifice too much speed too. It's the typical 3-circle diagram, where they say you can have a large zoom range, have it high quality, or have it lightweight or ; and you can choose any 2 of the 3, but never all 3.

The Trade-Off: Zooms Have Much More Flexibility

We said earlier how DOPs and photographers may prioritise image quality, there are some situations where (although it's still a huge focus) the priorities are elsewhere, and this is when you need to need to get a specific shot, or film/photograph something when you simply don't know where it's going to be, how far away, or how long you'll have to get it. While prime lenses excel in image quality and speed, they do come with a notable drawback: the inability to quickly change shots. With a zoom lens, you can adjust your composition by simply zooming, allowing you to capture that event, with the desired framing, in seconds. With a prime, you need to physically move or change to a different lens, and that's not always possible, particularly not quickly.

A zoom also allows you to quickly get a variety of shots in a quick space of time; a wide-angle shot one moment and a tight close-up the next. This flexibility is invaluable in fast-paced environments like sports, wildlife, or events, where you may not have the space to physically move closer or further from your subject, or the time to change lens. You could get the best composed, most beautiful shot of your life, but if it was the only one you were able to get you'll still have your editor shouting at you later.

Encourages Creativity And Skill Development

Interestingly, the limitation of a fixed focal length can also be a blessing in disguise. By removing the convenience of zooming, prime lenses force you to think more critically about composition, perspective, and framing. This constraint can spark creativity and help you develop a keener eye for detail. Many find that using a prime lens improves their skills and pushes them to experiment with new techniques, and this is also true when you move into vintage lenses and the 'impurities' which make those the character they are - but that's a discussion for another time.

So, In Conclusion?

Prime lenses offer undeniable advantages in terms of image quality, speed, and portability, making them the go-to for those priorising those attributes. Their wide apertures and optical excellence make them ideal for low-light photography and creative depth-of-field effects. However, the trade-off is the lack of flexibility when it comes to quickly reframing shots, which can be a drawback in fast-paced or unpredictable shooting scenarios.

Ultimately, the choice between prime and zoom lenses depends on your style and needs. For those who value image quality and are willing to work within the constraints of a fixed focal length, prime lenses are an excellent choice. But if versatility and quick reframing are essential, a zoom lens might be the better one. Many, of course, choose to have both in their kit, allowing them to switch gears depending on the situation.

If you were looking at the options and wondering which to go for, I hope this has helped. However if you wanted to chat about options further then feel free to contact us and we'd be glad to talk through the choices that may best suit your needs.

Posted By Lee Newman

0121 285 0021

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