Tip 9: Zoom Vs. Prime
Which lens is better? Or should I say, which one is better for you? There are pros and Cons to each.
Let’s talk about Zoom Lenses. They’re versatile, allowing you to change your focal length to get a variety of shots with a single lens. That means if you’re carrying a 24-70mm, you don’t need a 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, etc. It’s all in one!
But zoom lenses are usually limited with aperture. If you’re lucky your zoom might open up to f/2.8, but more likely f/4 or f/5.6. So you’re going to need to shoot with a higher ISO or slower shutter speed to compensate for the limited aperture values.
Now let’s compare prime lenses. Prime lenses usually have the ability to shoot in lower light conditions with apertures of f/1.4, f/1.8 or f/2. By themselves, they weigh less than a zoom lens, but are less versatile, meaning you’ll need to carry more lenses to cover multiple focal lengths.