Zooms vs Primes: Zooms are for AMATEURS!

[@untouchable360x]

I tried zooming with my feet on a cliff and almost won the Darwin Award.

[@jeepjoseph9036]

I've tried to zoom in with my feet on wildlife and it doesnt work so well

[@johnrussell5715]

Who's zoomin' who?

[@frankelbefotografie]

Made my day 😂👍

[@thetrojanhorse.1320]

untouchable360x hahaha

[@IsaacNYC212]

🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😅

[@EdgarHernandez-xj5mx]

I think when you spend that much on a zoom lens, the quality between that and an expensive prime isn’t that crazy. But the quality between a cheaper zoom and a cheaper prime are pretty significant. You guys have the best Sony lenses. Not to mention the 24-70 2.8 which is amazing in quality and bokeh does pretty well against the 85mm 1.4. But the 24-70 f4 vs the Sony 85 1.8 are way different just as an example.

[@longliveclassicmusic]

Extremely critical point, and it goes back to engineering. The f/4 options on focal ranges that are generally f/2.8 max aperture are way under-engineered. I'd put my 24-105mm f/4, on the other hand, up against any other lens any day…because f/4 is the maximum aperture for that extremely critical focal range. The engineering is much more solid and developed. That's why even if you don't need 2.8 on a 70-200, it's still better to get 2.8 instead of 4, because the f/4 is just not designed with the same research and development hours as a flagship 2.8.

[@Jones12ax7]

Kit lens x prime 50mm on APSC makes huge difference.

[@DanielGross]

This is spot on, and even more so, most people can’t afford to spend over 2 grand on a lens. A good not amazing 50 & 85 is more than half the cost of a 2.8 zoom, and you definitely get much much much more than half of the quality. I don’t shoot Sony, but I’d get their 85 mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.8 and use the near 1500 on a ton of other photo gear. The size and price alone is enough for most people with normal sized pockets.

[@tfm2934]

@@DanielGross Agreed. And here, e.g. the 55/1.8 is 30% the price of a 70-200/2.8. For people with smaller pockets, primes are the first way to access premium ($2500) zoom quality at a fraction of the price, size and weight. Not to mention, it might be critical for not-so-professional / newer photographers to really get to know a fixed focal length, improving sense of composition, which is what bringing just 1 prime on a hike does, like nothing else.

[@KarrGalaxyStudios]

I would think the only real advantage of high quality prime versus high quality zoom would be the weight now.. carrying a prime versus a zoom could make a difference but it depends on the zoom because some zooms are just so useful ranges like the sigma 18-35mm Art lens. I think you can benefit from a combination of high quality zooms and primes to fill your shooting needs and budget.

[@GermanViking]

The truth about zooms and primes is: "I need all of them"

[@reneenriquez3159]

AMEN.

[@mirrorlessny]

true, I love zooming in & out for video transitions, but also love the bokeh & low light of prime lenses

[@NaijaBoiTellEm]

Like is it possible to have too many lenses? Is water dry?

[@unloadedone]

Well said.

[@jackcrackerman]

This is the way

[@squirreldemon3506]

"Primes are cheaper, lighter..." *Sigma 35mm f1.2 has entered the chat*

[@dizmatt1]

it's like that scene from jurassic park...watch out for the ripples in the water!

[@youknowwho9247]

That's apples to oranges though. Compare a set of f/1.8 primes to Canons 28-70 f/2 zoom and you'll see what they're talking about.

[@rohit222444]

Nikon Noct 58mm f.95

[@cbflazaro]

"Chelsea , you're not a beginner anymore, it's time you put down the zooms and get some TONEY 1.2 LENSES"

[@jonner44]

"I'll zoom with my feet" - last sentence before being eaten by lion

[@stevetqp9152]

Good one, Jonner44!

[@Mags0O7]

😂😂😂

[@thegreatstudio6735]

😂 😂 😂

[@Traumglanz]

Just choose your prime wisely and make sure that zoom by running away, not running towards. ;-)

[@mbr5742]

Last word of the prime user at the Cliffs of Moher Just one more step baaaaaaaaaaack

[@amberdamber7]

I'm not a prime snob, but once I started using them I definitely noticed the overall quality and aesthetic of prime images is MUCH better than with zooms. Better colors, better contrast, better "look" to the images (even doing direct comparisons). You guys did a great job of comparing "technical" differences, but didn't really touch on this kind of thing, and I think it's a pretty important point.

[@ulyssessait]

prime makes me more active, alert of my composition. I need (always) need to move to framing the shot I want. Whereas when Im using zoom, Im quite lazy myself

[@amberdamber7]

@@ulyssessait 100% agree, they force you to be more creative and I think the end results are always better.

[@TechnoBabble]

One of my main lenses is the Sigma Art 40mm f/1.4. When I switch between that and my 24-70 it's crazy how much better the 40mm is.

[@billr6983]

6:42 "...the fact is my $2200 zoom outperformed both your $900 primes..." (Looks at the only piece of camera equipment I have, my $500 superzoom camera.) Why do I even watch these videos? lol

[@robertmodalo2365]

a6000?

[@chrismatography7826]

Definitely feel like the "prime is better than zoom" days are over, at least for all around use. I started with zooms to see what focal lengths I use the most then switched to primes.

[@mr.l6982]

Its nice carrying smaller prime lenses, and I feel like it forces me to get more involved instead of just standing and zooming. Its all a preference, to each their own.

[@jamesnelson8697]

Even Tony can't get through "I'll zoom with my feet" without laughing.

[@marshallgoldberg8376]

James Nelson I wish they’d explained that you cannot zoom with your feet, because when you change the distance to subject, it changes the perspective. For sure “zoom with my feet” works, but it’s not the same. You can’t get the same results as a 15mm lens by walking way way back, for instance. It’s complicated to visualize, but very important. But, anyway... this was an adorable video.

[@jamesnelson8697]

@@marshallgoldberg8376 Yeah, it takes a bit to *really* explain that without a pretty big digression. It's hinted at in the portrait part. I suppose the true ideal is to pick the perspective you want and reach into your vast array of primes that cover all focal lengths, then use your feet to get in the right place...but no one works that way.

[@2406ab]

@@marshallgoldberg8376 thats why its a joke

[@XPoChangLinX]

Grand Canyon photo tour: I'll zoom with my feeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEE~~~~~

[@mareklesniak8768]

I agree and I also think that's something for @Tony & Chelsea Northrup for another techy video with some examples.

[@peteypaul7877]

Camera conspiracy is watching this 👀

[@RaoBlackWellizedArman]

🤣

[@mirrorlessny]

haha yea he is just waiting to roast Tony on something

[@rodrigogarcia2607]

At the end of the video Tony says that nowadays the Fixed Focal lenght lense's main use is getting unique looks, but i'd add that the increased light gathering capabilities and compactness are equaly relevant to a big quantity of photographers of different genres.

[@deebea6364]

Rodrigo Garcia spoiler alert 😂

[@andreasbuder4417]

It is actually exactly that: A well engineered f1.8 prime is so compact and light, and I tend to shoot only three focal lengths, 28mm, 50mm and 85mm while using 50mm 80% of the time, with a two body setup. It is so much better for my shoulders, hands and my back after a full day of event shooting, since you always need a backup body anyway.

[@youknowwho9247]

This. There's no zoom substitute for a 35mm f/1.4 prime for shooting indoors at weddings.

[@mbr5742]

IF you can use the very short DoF and need the light. Modern full frame Cameras can easily do ISO 12800 without too much noise. And an f/2 zoom will do the rest

[@rodrigogarcia2607]

@@mbr5742 yeah, you are right, these f2 primes are amazing, except for the size, weight and price.

[@Crawlerbasher]

I have both zoom and prime lens, and there both have there uses in photography.

[@gavingynert2455]

They're their and so on

[@strawzinthewind]

*they *their

[@mirrorlessny]

agree, primes for night vision🌙

[@kefkapalazzo1]

Outside of low light I don’t really see any reason for me to use primes in my own work lol

[@harrisonjr98]

Primes are great because they force you to really consider composition and framing, but zooms allow you to grab shots you may have totally missed fumbling with a prime. I carry both. Different strokes!

[@ulyssessait]

true. Some shots from far (moments especially) maybe I missed. I think the solution is having 2 body to use 2 primes (35-85)

[@timothyjohnson6143]

I want to see this test done with entry level zoom lenses and primes though. I think there would be a different outcome.

[@seaned8]

A lot of their videos are based on lenses that most people can't afford. Like, let's do some bird shooting. Step One, sell your car and buy this lens. They should do videos with mostly lenses that people can afford.

[@jkirk1114]

Size. Primes tend to be smaller and for most of my photography I'd rather carry a smaller more discrete setup.

[@funnybeingme]

Exactly! Primes have the major advantage of being compact and also lightweight. Carrying a zoom lens attracts attention and makes me look like a tourist.

[@amosdevries4481]

Rater have 2 bigger zoomlenses in my bag then 4 compact primes.

[@Humungojerry]

this. But then Tony only cares about image quality so needs a huge lens regardless.

[@tfm2934]

Amen. Imagine 15mm (voigtlander) - 35mm/1.8- 85mm/1.8 (sony) in a small bag. Now imagine the 16-35GM amd 24-70GM, neither of which matches 1.8 aperture, costing and weighing more than twice as much, for what? One less lens change and what...? You can buy an additional body or upgrade to a7r4 or a9ii for the price difference! Even replacing the 35 with a 24GM and the 85 with a Batis is still cheaper.

[@mirrorlessny]

true, being discrete/compact & have amazing low light performance is powerful

[@MKNYC_]

“I can crop” Jared Polin: “NOOOOOOO”

[@panaceiasuberes6464]

FroKnowsNoCropYoh

[@BrianCarreraShaw]

***Jared Polin has left the conversation***

[@robertmueller6979]

who?

[@panaceiasuberes6464]

@@robertmueller6979 An amazing photographer that has a very colourful tongue...

[@cl0udbusting]

@@panaceiasuberes6464 You're very polite to say that 😂

[@RenBobbins]

KEH was great! I was selling all my "old" crop sensor gear. I had a near mint sigma 10-20, that I ended up selling on ebay for $325. KEH offered me $34 for it. I wish I were joking. They offered $105 for my D5600 body with a shutter count of 560, that still smelled new.

[@MrJed_s]

Chelsea made a great point that's worth repeating: zooms can create background separation through compression at longer focal lengths (with the advantage of more depth of field for the subject). So fast primes really should only dominate in low light or tight spaces when it comes to portraits!

[@MiguelBorgesphotography]

yes

[@kingvisuals2180]

“Zoom on over to KEH and check out their prime selection of used equipment today!”

[@HotBrassandBullets]

Who dresses Tony ?

[@DRUmat404]

Strong work. Let us not judge lenses by the range of their zoom, but by the quality of their optics!!

[@rookmaster7502]

Zooms can potentially make the photographer lazy and refrain from moving around and exploring/discovering alternate vantage points. When you watch people who only use zooms, many never move from the spot; they just stand there in the same position, zoom in and out, pick a focal length and then move on to the next scene. In contrast, regular prime users tend to be more exploratory concerning selecting vantage points, as they are practically forced to move around while shooting a scene or subject.

[@EmileMercier]

Love your tongue-in-cheek embodiment of lens dogmatists. I always learn something from you guys :)

[@bigmaxcc]

Since I’m lazy AF I go with with zoom all the way

[@WildBikerBill]

I wouldn't put it as 'Lazy AF', but as Practical. The Zoom shooter is going to (a) Carry a lot fewer lenses and (b) do a whole lot less lens swapping than the Prime shooter will, and there are an abundance of high dust/dirt/sand environments where lens swapping is to be avoided at all costs. And I really like the ability to precisely frame the shot in camera rather than cropping in in post, throwing a lot of resolution away after the fact.

[@AndySomething]

@@WildBikerBill Agreed. I hate, hate, hate swapping lenses. It's such a faff and ruins the flow when you're doing a shoot. I would never dream of using anything other than my 24-105 f4 on my a7iii for general purpose shooting throughout the day, even though it's admittedly not as sharp as my only prime, the 55 1.8 zeiss. I will normally have to pull out the prime in the evenings when lighting is crap but it's more out of necessity and not because I want to. Makes composing shots and adjusting background compression way harder.

[@Lucy-dk5cz]

You’re auto focus?

[@Rjmc19]

Andy Mckay yeah... the swapping... not a fan. Unless it’s a very controled or very specific environment, i always prefer zooms.

[@dzsemx]

@bigmaxcc so you are the one who would buy a 15-200mm f1.4 lens. Of course it will need 2 people to carry around, but hey, it's zoom lens

[@stuartschaffner9744]

Well, that was fun! I've gone back and forth, although I generally prefer primes for the specific images I take. To me, the primary advantages of primes are light weight and low flare. People think of flare as the line of artifacts produced by the sun. Actually the real damage of flare is more in muddy shadows in high contrast images. Flare is the totality of light from bright objects nearby that leaks into the shadows. Zeiss calls low flare "microcontrast", which sums it up nicely. I did have to laugh about the concept of zooming with your feet. Tony would love the Parker River Wildlife Sanctuary (Plum Island). Practically every square centimeter of off-trail terrain is mostly poison ivy.

[@rphandler]

Tony, Chelsea, happy to see Tony with the Laowa 15 Zero-D. It's versatile, working well at infinity focus for astro and at 6" for nature close ups while displaying background surroundings. With my Sony 4/16-35 PZ G I can't do the night skies nor can I get quite as close for wildflowers w/ background. No amount of fancy in camera electronics nor software edits will create Zeiss Loxia aperture stars from an image captured with any zoom. My current travel kit: Tamron 2.8-5.6/28-200 + Zeiss Loxia 21. I only surfed into this excellent short video long after you made it.

[@marcandamalia]

zooming with your feet gives you a different background separation, if that’s your taste cool, but it’s not the same thing/look,

[@StreetsOfVancouverChannel]

**A young Uncle Sam Expounds The Virtues of Prime Lens to a Beautiful Young Woman**

[@82300sd]

I think T&C should hire you to do their titles

[@nekogami87]

young Uncle Sam, THAT'S why Tony's look keeps being familiar to me ...

[@jmac2050]

It's the KFC guy

[@teriyaki_9inety9ine27]

Tony and his daughter talking about lens stuff

[@harrybalsak916]

Both categories of lenses have their place. All of my lenses AIS manual focus, from 8mm f2.8 fisheye to 600mm f/4 super telephoto. I do have several zooms, 25-50 f/4, 35-70 f/3.5. 50-135 f/3.5 and the superlative in every way (except weight) 50-300 f/4.5. The zooms are handy as walkaround lenses, I can put all 4 in the bag and have everything covered from moderate wide angle to medium telephoto. For critical and commercial work, primes are the way to go. For the most part they are considerably faster (I prefer the very fast Nikkors) and the sharpness is outstanding.

[@peterverheyen1795]

I have three primes: 18 f/2.8 Batis + 35 f/1.4 Sigma Art + 85 f/1.8 Batis. I'm hoping to buy the 135 GM sooner or later. They give me the image quality I like, but when you don't have a lot of time to switch lenses you miss the versatility of a zoom lens. Especially the 24-70 zoom. But I'm still happy to walk around with my primes. You know what you're in for when equipping an 18, 35 or 85. You get to know the frame you're working with, so you adapt. The 85 is my favorite focal length, the 35 is the most "walk around" and the 18 can be a bit challenging as you have a very wide angle to shoot with.

[@NickL0VIN]

Zooms for travel, primes for studio & sets. How I do it.

[@miggysmunchies]

I was a beginner and started in primes though. When I finally got my first zoom 18-35 sigma, it made things easier. It works wonders!

[@lawrose4]

Thanks for this fun and eye opening video. I'm not a pro. On my Nikon Z6 I shoot the Z 24-70 S f/4.0 as my goto, and the Z 50 S f/1.8 or Z 35 S f/1.8 for low light/available light. Simple. If I need a telephoto I put on the FTZ adaptor and the 28-300 f/3.5-5.6, often in DX mode to get an effective 450mm. I've never seen that one lens is really any better than another for what I do. It's focal length and ease of use, with low light ability as needed. Life is good.

[@peterlieberzeit3138]

Both have their places and application scenarios. One is travelling: when taking a DSLR with me (APS-C), I carry a 16-55/2.8 (i.e. 24-70 @35mm) plus usually a 35/1.8 and/or a (very old) 50/1.4 and a 90/2.8 Macro. The primes work for me in situations with many people, because their smaller build size makes them less "prominent", aka intimidating. If all that is too much, a Sony RX100 Mk5 does an excellent "travel job" .... Which has the added advantage that people do not shy away from it when I ask them to take a picture of me and my family (I don't like selfies ...)

[@jonathanroman8285]

Glad to see this comparison in a head to head! Thanks guys!

[@Zakna]

I carry the 24 GM 55 1.8 zeiss and the 135 GM remember the r4 crops into 26 mp

[@ashleygarvin7177]

I used to carry the same but switched out for the 16-35 GM, 24-70GM and the 100-400G + 1.4X ... so glad I did as the on the A7r4 with the crop gives so much versatility. Admittedly I am not shooting in low light without a tripod or sports, so that does factor into that decision

[@jasongiraulophotography]

Its totally case specific. You can shoot a wedding with the trinity (14-24/16-35), 24-70, 70-200 or with 16, 35,50,85, 135 primes. Your choice. Whatever fits your style. I've never been told my 70-200GM isn't sharp enough by a client... plus the autofocus on my a9ii is blazing fast... but if I'm shooting a grand landscape, I might reach for a 24 1.4, or 35 1.4.... It's all a matter of need and taste. My advice - get both.

[@SirValiantIII]

I was sitting here thinking "The KZbin algorithm did a great job finding this old video. I was just wondering about this!" Then I saw it was posted TODAY?? Man you guys have awesome timing :)

[@paullambert495]

The outro was hilarious! Abd of course the whole video was very interesting... :)

[@skyecommander2169]

Great vid had some good laughs. Love you guys!

[@MarkTalampas]

On my Sony A7iii I use prime lens for low light And on my A7Riii I use 2.8 zoom lens for when I have good light. Great video.

[@careylymanjones]

On the portrait test, Chelsea had to zoom to 200mm to match the bokeh from Tony's 85mm. Which meant she had to have more room, to get a comparable framing. Shooting portraits indoors doesn't always give you enough room to simply back away from your subject.

[@jdiuurdfsds]

Exactly. Also, you get a different bokeh, because of the compression difference.

[@andgainingspeed]

The Sony 16-35mm f2.8 might still be the best wide zoom. But it is the only zoom in my travel kit. I like the primes as they lighter and less conspicuous. My small backpack has a single body along with wide zoom, a 55, 85 and 135.

[@hadriendobbelaere2682]

00:28 "I can zoom with my feet! " 😂 they always say that but that's sooo dumb hahaha

[@Bullwinkle056]

Especially when you're standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon!

[@tfm2934]

@@Bullwinkle056 Especially when you want the correct measure of compression for a given shot.

[@diotough]

It's dumb and yet so relateable - most photographers have said that at some point when they were totally fixated on primes.

[@Hoggdoc1946]

Also zooming with your feet can never match the background compression good long zoom lens can bring to an image.

[@plowmanjoe]

@Timothy Dexter it is dumb, getting closer and zooming are not the same thing

[@lensesdontlie8718]

These battles never really end. Use what you prefer to get the best shots that you can.

[@achimboers]

Just a big thank you for making me laugh at breakfast here in Sydney. Zoom has become another word for work the last weeks. Thanks for reminding us what zoom actually means

[@elliotmarks06]

I love these competition videos!!!!!!! It is a good reassurance that I am not the only one who greatly disagrees with photography know-it-alls...

[@kashourikatsu2543]

In the end there is no right or wrong

[@elliotmarks06]

@@kashourikatsu2543 I just like to hear the areguemnts...

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@@kashourikatsu2543 certain things are measurably proveable though. Preferences are a different animal. But noticeably sharper is sharper.

[@christopherm7741]

If you are using the Sony A7RIV with a prime lens. You have the option to flip the camera into APSC mode and get a second focal length out of your lens. I only roll with primes. Currently on my A7RIV I’m using 20mm, 35mm and 85mm. Yeah, zooms can be helpful at times. But I’m perfectly happy with my work around dog needed, and prefer to actually move in and out physically to get the shot I want. I’m a bit more hands on and active, but generally know what I’m looking to shoot and have the proper lens on the camera from the start. APSC mode is just a bonus/backup solution.

[@christopherm7741]

Also on a side note, primes generally are more compact and lighter than a zoom lens.

[@marshallgoldberg8376]

Over the years, I’ve bought three f/2.8 L zooms: The 16-35, the 24-70, and the 70-200. I love the 70-200 and I’d love to have a 100-400, but at closer distances, especially at concerts, I love shooting with my basic $300, 85mm f/1.8 lens. I love the results! And it’s far easier to carry than the 24-70. I thought I’d retire it once I got the 24-70, which cost 5x more, but I keep reaching for the 85mm. They must have made up a special batch of glass the day my 85mm was born; I just love that lens!

[@sloppy-1-1]

"I am sure that there is a prime out there that can beat all of my zooms in terms of sharpness" Nikon 58mm f0.95 NOCT: hello there. The hole in your wallet after your purchase though...

[@82300sd]

The only zoom I have is a 100-400, everything else I use primes

[@smaakjeks]

alright

[@nicodimus2222]

The only zoom I have is a 200-500mm, which I use like it's a 500mm prime.

[@felixbelanger2659]

I have a 17-40mm and a 100-400mm and everything else in between is prime as well

[@breathLP]

The only zooms I have are 16-35, 24-70, 70-200, 100-400, everything elese I use primes (lol)

[@CoolhandLukeSkywalkr]

I'm going all in on the RF system when I pick up the R5, when it comes out. I'm getting the RF 85mm 1.2 L and the upcoming RF 35mm 1.2 L . I'll also be grabbing the RF 100mm-500mm zoom, but just because you can't really replace that zoom with prime lenses easily, but when a 200mm prime lens for RF comes out, I'll be all over it. Maybe even a 400mm prime. We'll see what the wizards at Canon can cook up. Hopefully in 2021 RF system will get a 100mm macro lens, a couple of wide angle prime lenses and a couple of very large telephoto prime lenses. Bring on the L series RF prime lenses!

[@DiegoTerzano]

Love my Sony FE 24-105 f4 but I find myself using primes more. Batis 18mm f2.8, Sony 55mm f1.8 and Samyang 85mm f1.4. It is all about style and genre. No 1 size fits all.

[@christopherhoward8726]

I use both, and I think zooms have greatly improved since I started photography. I have a 50mm 1.2 L, 85mm 1.4 IS L, 24-70 2.8 L, 70-200 2.8 L.

[@williamreymond2669]

Tony: "I'm going to prove it to you - but first..."

[@4xoverland]

This statement in misleading. Very misleading. My daughter is one of Perths leading brand photographers, making a good living. IE. a professional. And her favourite lens is a 35-70 F2.8. I am a professional video maker of 40 years experience, and I have a mix of primes and zooms. For video work, in anything but a studio environment, zooms are better. In all these case, not better for image quality. But far better for getting the story. So what's more important? Story or image quality? Story! Always story! Stating that zooms are for amateurs is misleading and misguided. It's true that amateurs tend to over-use the zoom button, but that's it.

[@GRUZ_JA]

Andrew, make a update video on your video/photo gear on your channel, I am curious what are you using now, have you got still your A7RIII ?

[@jamesmurphy9845]

Watch the rest of the video.

[@Stasiek_Zabojca]

You clearly did not watched whole video...

[@drewwolin3162]

I think you missed the point of the video my guy

[@rydergw]

Chelsea, I love your deadpan humour. It makes the show ! :-)

[@facedown9754]

Chelsea u r so funny!! Love ya

[@rajoochatlani9022]

Indoors and outdoors within fairly limited spaces, my fixed lenses do most of the work. Outdoors where I am uncertain of what I will shoot, the zooms do the job and the light is pretty good anyway. Except when it is not, then the primes come out. With modestly priced glass, I am perfectly happy with the results. The bottom line: learn what the zooms and primes do and you are pretty much ready for anything. Kind of, because you will always wish, Damn... I wish I had brought my other lens!

[@GrantSR]

When I have climbed up on a building to get a "unique perspective" and am taking pictures from the edge of the roof, there is no way I can "zoom with my feet."

[@Woodenarrows]

Chelsea is great :-) and Madelyn sure has grown the past few years. I've had the 2015 SDP book for about 4+ years now. Not talking to you Tony, you're a lens snob JK, :-)

[@Narsuitus]

Over the decades, I have used the following 3-prime lens combinations for shooting general subjects: Argus C3 rangefinder 35/50/100 Pentax 35mm SLR with 28/50/105 Nikon 35mm SLR 24/35/85 or 24/35/135 or 24/35/180 Leica 35mm rangefinder 21/35/90 Mamiya medium format TLR 55/80/180 Mamiya RB67 medium format SLR 50/80/180 Olympus micro 4/3 digital mirrorless 14/20/45 Fuji APS-C digital mirrorless 56/23/16 The image quality from my first zoom (Nikon 43-86 f/3.5) was so bad that it soured me to zoom lenses for years. Years later, when I decided to make the change from manual focus lenses to autofocus lenses, I decided to keep my old manual focus primes and buy new autofocus zooms. I purchased the following autofocus Nikon zoom lenses: 14-24 f/2.8 28-70 f/2.8 80-200 f/2.8 Based on my experience with these modern zoom lenses, zooms no longer deserve the bad reputation they had earned in the past.

[@AlexFiliUK]

Primes are great when starting out. The nifty fifty in particular is fantastic. For when I go out and do events I do tend to go with my 17-50mm just in case I have space restrictions. When I go for wildlife shoots I use my 70-300 with a teleconverter to get a bit of extra reach.

[@emilycross4527]

My current coverage of focal lengths uses primes strategically. I have two primes, both Zeiss Batis, 18mm and 85 mm. Then 24-70 and 100-400 Sony G master.

[@ROBRESETAR]

somebody needs a ..."camera counselor"

[@markhudon2495]

Fuji APSC guy - Here what worked for me. Maybe give this a try instead of spending money on new gear. Buy vintage fast primes and experiment with focal length that work or don't work for you. It may be easier (and a lot less expensive} to make an educated choice. All my vintage lenses I had acquired 25 years ago. You may find a family member or friend that has an old camera with some beautiful equipment. The adapter was 60 dollars. When I figure out what I like I may spend $1500 bucks on a new prime or zoom. My lenses: -Fuji 16-80mm F4.0 (New zoom kit lens} -Vivitar 28mm F2.0 macro, -Minolta 50mm F1.7, -Minolta 135mm F3.5 -Minolta 35-70mm-F3.5 (zoom with Macro)

[@carly9355]

I use both primed and zooms depending on what I am doing. Also KEH is awesome, they gave me a decent amount of money back for camera gear I sold to them. Very fast and thorough service.

[@Dan.gibson.photographer]

The 70-200 GM my go to lens😍😍😍

[@longliveclassicmusic]

Canon EF version 3 for me! Such an incredible piece of glass. I love how much love and care camera manufacturers put into engineering our favorite lenses! The results are just mindblowing. 💙 I stick to the 24-105 f/4 mostly in studio work, but outdoors that background compression is just irresistible with a 70-200 2.8!

[@Dan.gibson.photographer]

longliveclassicmusic I only can agree 😄

[@86BBUB]

Zooms for most travel; primes for "arty" outings.

[@TomReichner]

I shoot zooms now, but I will say that long telephoto primes do have one big advantage that was not mentioned; they work much better with teleconverters than zooms do. I used a 400mm f2.8 for many years, and it produced flawless image quality with the 1.4 teleconverter, and very good image quality with the 2.0 teleconverter. I could use a teleconverter with the big prime and still have truly excellent image quality that would stand up to the harshest pixel-peeping. Conversely, using either teleconverter on any of my zoom lenses results in noticeably poor image quality, compared to the naked lens.

[@adamkaras1264]

I think the best way is something between, because if you know there is one thing you want to do, a prime can be lighter with the same quality. But a zoom give you more options. At least now, when canon made his Rf 28-70 f2 you have the quality and f stop of a prime, but it's almost a brick. Furthermore I think that e.g. the eos system, the Rf 15-35 will outperform the most primes. But the rf 50mm f1.2, I fall in love with. So a mix is a perfect way to don't become to lazy:)

[@RollingStonesPhoto]

You two had me laughing. Thanks, needed a fun video today.. I was surprised at the results too. I am now curious how my Canon Primes vs Zoom will compare. Keep up the great shows. This one one of your best.

[@DerVagabundli]

I kind of started doing the same, but in the midst of zooming in 200% and comparing side by side I started thinking: "Srsly, what's the point?!" Just take an image and decide whether you're happy with it when looking at it at the size it's supposed to be seen. There's way too much obsession about sharpness.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Thanks!!

[@kenneth6102]

The PRIME that beats all others: Optimus Prime. It's a fantasy sci-fi.

[@st.michaelthearchangel7774]

A lot of those Transformer movies within the past decade have been quite garbage, unfortunately.

[@kenneth6102]

Blessed Mother What are you talking about? They are epic! Just forget about the story, logic and reasoning, you have some robotic CG porn. You don't watch porn for the story, right?

[@JackStalk]

I like to carry light when I shoot weddings, I can fit my body, flash, 35mm, and 105mm in a tiny 7"x13" bag and I can't fit a 24-70 and 70-200 in the same sized bag. Also, my 35mm fits in my pocket so I can easily switch lenses on the fly. The 24-70 doesn't really fit in my pocket. If you want to simplify your setup primes are the way to go. I also know exactly where I need to stand at a given focal length. I shot exclusively on primes last year after shooting on zooms for years and I'll never go back.

[@PhotoTrekr]

I was reading a response today to a video about travel lenses. Someone said that he only took a 24mm GM lens and a 85mm GM along with his A7R4. I'm a zoom lenses shooter and his solution never occurred to me. But, I believe that I could be pretty happy with that combo.

[@thesharpercoder]

Primes still have the edge when it comes to wide apertures.

[@LyndonPatrickSmith]

Poor kid. I hope you paid her! : )

[@felixd6001]

Unity against exploited models and beginning freelancers !!

[@Spock105]

Every lens has its use. It's a matter of available light , weight and situation . In the past it was almost not done to go beyond 400 asa because your shots would have grain all over . Now one can use ISO easy till 6400 and less need for a F1.2, 1.4 ,1.8 etc. I have 23 lenses of which 6 are zooms . The zooms are used mostly at events or travel . The hardest part is always to make the final choice which lenses to take along and which system Nikon or Fuji, or both.

[@wRicky89]

A real fight would be with the same budget and the same weight. The money you save buying 4-5 primes versus 2-3 zooms allows you to buy an carry with you a second body fixing the versatility problem. Anyway it depends on situations. In events you can go with 2 bodies. One with 24/28mm and the other with 50/55mm or one with a 35 and the other with an 85 (depends on the event) and you're better. Unless you are far and you can't move, and you take out the 70-200mm. In landscape I'd use a mix. Choosing 1 or 2 of the 3 "standard" zoom (16-35, 24-70/24-105, 70-200) and 1 or 2 primes for the favourite focal length, and I'd use 2 bodies, maybe leaving on often on a tripod for time lapses.

[@winstonpx]

Why does the "bullsh*t" censorship at 5:24 last three seconds lmao

[@donaldmcvee9371]

Primes are faster. Period. ... Oh yeah, and smaller and lighter...and cooler.

[@XxFZLxX]

Just ordered my RF 85mm F1.2 DS, can't wait for it to arrive!

[@jml7916]

Cost and weight. I’m a budget shooter and my bag has Rokinon(Samyang) 35mm f2.8 pancake, 50mm f1.8 Sony, 28-70 Sony kit lens and a Canon 70-300 f slow with an adapter. All in it costs less than 1 of those fast primes and likely weighs less than the 70-200 f2.8. When you can’t afford top glass, you play the advantages of each. PS, my pancake brings me great joy for the price. Small, light and fast.

[@tmbacz]

Nikon 20mm, 35mm, 50mm. Tamron 70-210. Very acceptable glass. Considerably cheaper and lighter than the trinity. I would go with the zooms if price and weight wasn’t an object.

[@calvinatdrifterstudio8438]

If you're a professional you probably need all of these lenses. If you are just having fun, TONEY 1.2 FOR LIFE

[@davepetersen6975]

How about a father daughter or mother daughter photography lesson series? My 16 year old is taking a class at his HS and we are having fun talking about his projects and shooting together. Would love to see how professionals would do that!

[@careylymanjones]

I tend to use zooms for telephoto and superwide lenses. For the bread and butter focal lengths (24mm through 85mm on full frame) I like primes better. And one way I get more versatility out of my (full frame) primes is to carry an APS-C body. With it, my 24mm crops to the field of view of a 36mm, My 45mm crops to 67.5mm, and my 85mm crops to 127.5mm. It's like having six lenses.

[@paperazzo]

So great when the video rewards watching until the actual end.

[@frogmedia]

It all depends on hte type of photogaphy you make. I do high altitude trekking and climbing. Carring a bag full of primes simply isn't possible due to weight, bulk and mobility. Fitting my camera with a Canon 28-300 L lens allows me to get great pictures and carry a single lens. Obviously, it has it's limitations concerning fs, but it's a necesary trade.

[@ZeldagigafanMatthew]

And I have to say, even the cheapo lens available these days are acceptably sharp. A couple weeks ago, I got a picture of a crow looking at the camera with it's head cocked to the side and you are able to see the fine detail in its feathers... after I brought the shadows up a bit.

[@MeAMuse]

I think people should have both. I personally have a 35mm, 85mm and a 90 Macro (why didn’t you use a macro Tony!). They are for subjects and situations I shoot all the time. If you know what you want, or need a constraint to inspire creativity zooms are key! Zooms... I love the flexibility and being able to shoot a lot of different things without changing lenses. I am covered from 16-560mm if you count the teleconverter. I definitely prefer it when traveling. I honestly could live with just the 16-35mm, 85mm, and 100-400mm. If I had to choose 1 more it would be my 35 prime. If I could only have 1 lens it would be a hard choice between a 35 prime and a standard zoom.

[@reality150tv]

U 2 really are good together. Prob the best duo on youtube that i have seen. Wish u the best.

[@fauxtography1018]

I had a big preference for primes until I got a Canon 70-200 2.8. It quickly became my lens of choice. I now shoot primarily with zooms while my second shooter uses my primes. We'll often mix it up though, so one of us uses wide zooms and telephoto primes while the other uses wide primes and the telephoto zoom.

[@matthew8169]

So should I use Zoom lens or Prime lens for portrait, wedding, landscape, wildlife and night stars photography ?

[@ma3xiu1]

One place I do like a prime is doing street photography -- I have a 16-35GM lens for my Sony, but it is big and heavy compared to the 35mm 1.8 prime, which is a bit less conspicuous.

[@RmDIrSudoSu]

As a professional, I use prime in studio, zooms for outside (event photography, wedding, ...). But you can try to take pictures in a wedding without being seen with prime lens. You won't be able to get close enought and will disturb a lot of people, the Zoom allow me to stay out of everyone's sight during the ceremony. For prime that can beat your zoom, look no further than Hasselblad.. I use them in studio, and they are fantastic. But outside of a studio, I don't really see the point of using them, even in astrophotography.

[@audigex]

Primes are great when you're in a fixed environment or when you're looking for one shot (eg a landscape or portrait), or when you're aiming for a specific kind of photography (street photography). If you have a specific shot in mind or want consistency then they're great. Similarly you just can't quite get the same background separation with a zoom. I do think they have a place But Zoom lenses are great for when you're travelling or visiting somewhere and want to be taking lots of photos of lots of different things. None of the photos will be quite as good, but it's much more flexible. An 85mm is just not gonna cut it at the zoo, for example, unless you really have time to set up each shot. Or when shooting wildlife, you often don't know exactly where the subject will be and have to be ready to zoom on demand. Zooming with your feet takes too long I like both - a couple of zoom lenses covering a decent focal range (I use 18-55 and 75-300, although would prefer if that gap wasn't there) plus a couple of primes for specific usage. Eg I think a portrait prime is always a good bet, and perhaps another (eg a wide angle for landscapes) if there's a specific type of shot you like to take

[@marians8772]

That 'knowing the lens' argument can't be understated. I shot so much with my 105DC that I know the composition before looking through the finder. I tried to use a 70-200 instead but it slowed me down dramatically to always get the Focal length right. With the 105 I'd just guesstimate, shoot, crop a little in post if necessary and done.

[@PaganiTypeR]

I shot exclusively with primes in the past, now I shoot exclusively with zooms and I noticed a huge contrast between the two. First off, I like both. For events there's just no time for me to swap lenses, therefore zoom lens helps a lot and that's why I like zooms, also zooms are hella sharp now. HOWEVER Primes do have a unique look due to wider apertures and MOST IMPORTANTLY they force you to be more creative. I noticed that with a zoom I tend not to walk as much and not to look for better angles as much, that's why I'm anxious to get back into that prime life, mix it up a little bit. And if I had to choose what to shoot for the rest of my life, I'd choose prime, just because it is so much more fun and interesting to shoot with prime (at least for me).

[@zipp4everyone263]

Oh man, the sarcasm from Tony is just spot on! Great counters from Chelsea! Do more of these hidden gems!