a lens with a fixed focal length (also commonly referred to as a “fixed lens” More Light. Zoom Lenses. Many people confuse telephoto lenses with zoom lenses but they are actually different things. Because of this, Zoom lenses have a high level of convenience about them. The advantage of a zoom lens is versatility. I’m aware that there’s a spirited cohort of photographers for whom shallow depth-of-field is everything, an aesthetic made more apparent at longer focal lengths. You’ve successfully subscribed to Nikon’s Learn & Explore newsletter. When it comes to wildlife photography specifically, you can’t always get as close to subjects as you’d like, and sometimes, you want to work from a safe distance. TRAVEL | PHOTOGRAPHY | ADVENTURE | CULTURE | LIFESTYLE | TECHNOLOGY. Zoom lenses built into cameras are normally classified by "zoom magnification," which is calculated by dividing the tele focal length by the wide-angle focal length. Zoom Lenses. The trade-off, however, is a less sharp image, heavier and bulkier lens (often more expensive), and smaller maximum aperture. This is reflected in the type of new lenses Canon has introduced. But additional lens elements and more moving parts can sometimes add up to a greater likelihood of something going wrong than in the case of a prime lens. Zoom lenses are perfect for beginners because of their variable focal lengths. Zoom Lenses Advantages Aperture: Standard zoom lenses have a variable aperture. For instance, the CX2 has a lens with a 10.7X zoom factor that covers the 28 mm-300 mm range. So if it gets closer to you, you can “Zoom Out” to see more of the subject. With a 2x optical zoom… If you’re willing to put up with extra weight, in exchange for big apertures, then a fast Zoom Lens would suit you well. These lens are used by semi professionals and serious photography enthusiasts to shoot animals and birds. Canon. You would think that having a zoom would always prove to be a benefit over a prime – having that flexibility in focal length all in one lens is fantastic. The wider the aperture can go on a lens the more light it will allow in to the sensor, allowing you to shoot without a flash in low light. One of the main advantages of this lens, is obviously that it is a telephoto zoom lens.300mm focal length is a good zoom for general photography such as close birds, landscapes, architectural buildings and zoo images. This two-lens setup lets me quickly and easily compose, shoot and get out of the way, which is important in the type of assignments I do often, namely … As a result the optical performance of even inexpensive primes is better than many zooms. For instance, the CX2 has a lens with a 10.7X zoom factor that covers the 28 mm-300 mm range. For example, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART lens shown above is one of the sharpest lenses available today. It’s versatile, affordable and great for shooting all types of photos. NIKKOR Z 1 00-00mm 2 f/0.0-0.0 3 S 4 1. To be clear, you can get a Wide Angle Zoom, a Standard Zoom, and a Telephoto Zoom. Fast lenses can be used in lower lighting conditions, and don’t force high ISOs. A zoom lens like this might have an f/3.5-5.6 aperture range, which means at the wide end of the zoom the aperture will be f/3.5 but as you zoom into the scene, the lens closes down to an f/5.6 maximum aperture. A big benefit to using prime lenses is that they give you the option of letting more light … With Wide Zoom Lenses, the same advantage is given, except in a less obvious way. lens focal-length zoom superzoom. The Sony 24-70mm f2.8G is as sharp as any prime i have. And today’s zoom lenses are lighter and more compact than older generation lenses, making them a convenient choice as well. One of the biggest advantages of using a zoom lens is that it allows you … If they got up and moved closer to, or further from, or to the other side of their subjects, they’d see a whole new angle of things. If you’re shooting inside a building, sometimes you can’t get back far enough to shoot the entire room. To achieve the widest possible aperture, you need to be at the widest possible zoom setting. Another is that a zoom … But in terms of sharpness in good light it was up there with some of my pro glass. Do prime lenses have advantages over zoom lenses even today? Here are the most important advantages: Using one lens allows photographers to familiarize one focal length. But what they also did was they moved around. Your email address will not be published. When you first start out in photography, it is hard to get a feel for the benefits of a wide angle lens. When it comes to deciding which focal length is best for you, it will depend largely on how you plan to use it. In addition to the highest performing “S” series lenses, Nikon is also planning to release enthusiast-level non-S lenses. Crop Sensor: Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens. (Check out Laurie Cohen’s post about shooting street photos here.). Zoom Lenses. A 24-70mm lens (photo by Danny Feng on Unsplash) Zoom lenses are a lot more complicated, and the prices vary a lot more, depending on what the lens does. © 2008 - 2020 Photo Workshop Adventures LLC. Advantages of Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens. Sure your prime lenses are fast—some at f/1.8 or f/1.4 but there are many zoom lenses that are only slightly slower at f/2.8, f/4 and f/3.5-5.6. They can replace whole range of prime lenses and save you the time wasted in changing lenses. These zooms certainly don’t have all the benefits of a fixed normal lens, but they do have some. For example, say you want to take photographs at a range of focal lengths from 28mm through 300mm. Or they’d move back if the subjects were too close to them. Having a Telephoto Zoom Lens will give you the flexibility of enlarging or reducing the size of the subject simply by zooming the lens. Maximum variable aperture range from wide to telephoto 4. These are the main benefits of zoom lenses: Convenience. If it’s too far away, we tend to just lower our expectations, and accept an image that is less than ideal. 28-300mm – One of the best super-zooms that will realize any task of yours. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Nikon S vs non-S Lenses. Zoom lenses that cover both sides of normal range (35mm-70mm or even 28mm to 85mm) are becoming popular with some photographers as substitutes for a 50mm unifocal (fixed focal length) lens. When you think about the pros and cons of Zoom Lenses, you can see that there is just as many good points and bad points. But additional lens elements and more moving parts can sometimes add up to a greater likelihood of something going wrong than in the case of a prime lens. Nevertheless, the one camera, one lens philosophy still attracts quite a significant following. NIKKOR Z 1 00-00mm 2 f/0.0-0.0 3 S 4 1. Zoom Lenses have their place in your camera bag, and you should probably use them. Zoom lenses may utilize a fixed maximum aperture like f/4 or a variable maximum aperture such as f/3.5-5.6. We don’t have to walk a lot, or go on a lens changing frenzy with a good zoom lens. The most obvious advantage is image quality. I mean when producers of camera lenses try to stow a wide range of focal length in one lens, does it affect the quality? Any time you’r… May all who come as guests… leave as friends®. One of the benefits of having an all in one zoom lens is that its wide focal range allows you to shoot at whatever angle, and with the least concern about which lens to use. A zoom lens will almost always be heavier than a prime, creating the feel of a more substantial or higher quality lens (more on weight in a minute). If you shoot a lot of landscapes, a 24mm prime lens is an excellent … Zoom Lenses tend to make photographers lazy. For instance, a 24-70mm “Standard Zoom” has 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 70mm, all in one unit. First, it’s important to explain that a Zoom Lens is really a description of the way a lens functions, not the size of the lens. These lenses … Please Read My Profile . Most wide-angle lenses are zoom lenses, although you can get a single focal length prime lenses. the 80’s? Does the second lens have some advantages, except zoom, of course? First, Zoom Lenses tend to be heavier than prime lenses, and typically larger, and usually ‘slower’. So, now that we’ve defined the lens types, let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages. Another advantage of a wider aperture is the additional light. Zoom lens. A 50mm prime lens (also called a fixed focal length lens) is a must-have piece of equipment for anyone starting out in photography. Or you are forced to use higher ISOs in order to get the photo. Higher zoom magnification means a more complicated lens design. Some of the highest-quality lenses such as the new NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct will have a specific name designation after the letter “S”. If you were to compare an image taken with a 50mm lens side-by-side with an image taken with a kit zoom lens, you'd see a marked difference in the sharpness. It allows you to get more different shots in the same location. If you do pay top dollar for your Zoom Lens, and you get a fast aperture, then you’ll be burdened with a heavy lens that you may regret travelling with. Generally, professional photographers … That means the interior of your camera doesn't get humid or dusty (and so less crud adheres to the sensor). Discover our high quality range of over 40 interchangeable camera lenses including A-mount and E-mount lenses crafted for a range of shooting situations. The general parameters on which the image quality is tested are: sharpness, distortion, vignetting, and chromatic aberration. Sign up for Learn & Explore emails and receive inspiring, educational and all around interesting articles right in your inbox. As long as you understand the limitations and you can work around them, then you’ll manage quite well. Prime lenses typically have great glass and have fewer elements in the lens barrel than a zoom lens. With a long lens such as 70-200, you can zoom in and get excellent compression and isolate your subject. For instance, a 35mm – 70mm zoom lens has a magnification of X2; a 35mm – 105mm lens has a magnification of X3. Provides multiple composition possibilities; Get close to subjects without needing to physically get too close (ie. What’s more convenient to carry, one lens or seven? But one Zoom Lens is just one lens, right? Zoom Lenses. On many zoom lenses the maximum aperture will change as you zoom because these zoom lenses have a variable aperture. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In this blog, I will outline the benefits of a 50mm lens and why you should invest in one. Telephoto lens creates more background blur. Many photographers have found the versatility of today’s modern zoom lenses invaluable. This is great if you are on the road and you plan to take different types of photos. i used to be an all prime shooter.. i used to be able to tell a difference with a prime lens and a zoom.. but these days the zooms are really really good.. By clicking Sign Up, you are opting to receive educational and promotional emails from Nikon Inc. You can update your preferences or unsubscribe any time. But this feature comes at a price though: quality and aperture. That translates to clearer, sharper images from corner to corner, so you can see the beauty of the landscape in gorgeous detail. If you prefer to travel light, and don’t want to carry too many lenses, then a smaller, cheaper, slow Zoom Lens may be the right choice for you. These zooms certainly don’t have all the benefits of a fixed normal lens, but they do have some. There was a time when the quality of zoom lenses was so poor that most photographers didn’t use them. A wide range of variable focal length or zoom lenses are available to suit most photographers’ needs, from the ultra wide to medium telephoto, all-in-one and super telephoto options. In short, yes! When it comes to the advantages of a zoom lens, it’s apparently more versatile. You can’t have fast, cheap and lightweight, at least not with today’s technology. Zoom Lens Benefits The advantage of a zoom lens is versatility. In the same way that I was taught to use a pen in my college classes, I used a prime lens to force me to work harder for each shot. Even the typical "kit lens" (18-55mm) occupies this useful range. They’d be in the habit of switching lenses as needed, whenever their subject matter required it. With a long lens such as 70-200, you can zoom in and get excellent compression and isolate your subject. Wide angle lenses, on the other hand, exhibit more depth-of-field at a given aperture than telephoto lenses. And today’s zoom lenses are lighter and more compact than older generation lenses, making them a convenient choice as well. Generally speaking, prime lenses are sharper than zoom lenses. What do we gain and lose when we use a Zoom Lens? All-in-one extreme zoom lenses—those that go from wide-angle to telephoto—offer some solid benefits for a nature photographer who’s on a road trip. In order to make a Zoom Lens that has a wide range of focal lengths, manufacturers have to make some compromises. The convenience of never having to switch lenses in the middle of a shoot is certainly attractive. Why use a zoom lens instead of a prime? You obviously don’t want to get too close to either of those. If you constantly shift to and use different equipment, mastering your camera and lens will prove to be difficult because you won’t have time to familiarize yourself with what your tools can do. 85mm f/1.2L II – Best Canon full frame prime lens for portrait photography. Think of Zoom Lenses as a large collection of Prime Lenses in one small package. Landscape photographers, street photographers, environmental portrait photographers, just to name a few. First, Zoom Lenses tend to be heavier than prime lenses, and typically larger, and usually ‘slower’. While the kit lens does have its limitations, it often proves to be a valuable piece of gear to have in your bag. Provides multiple composition possibilities; Get close to subjects without needing to physically get too close (ie. A telephoto lens can be—but does not necessarily have to be—a zoom lens. They are ideal when you are photographing a variety of subjects such as landscapes and portraits, and you just want one lens for both situations. But what is the cost for that convenience? A zoom lens is usually not as sharp as prime lenses. Zoom lenses that have a fixed aperture, as in the case of an f/4 zoom lens, will stay at f/4 throughout the entire zoom range. Required fields are marked *. They are thought of as being the “good for everything” lenses. TIP: You’ll generally want to stop down the lens a bit (i.e. “Fast” lenses have large maximum apertures, and “Slow” lenses have smaller maximum apertures. For non-zoom lenses, internal focusing probably means that the bellows effect (in which air is sucked into the lens) is minimised since the outside of the lens probably won't move during focusing. The answer is that standard prime lenses have advantages that kit lenses don’t. With a Wide Zoom, you can zoom out further and further until you get the field of view you want. Tamron 85mm f/1.8 – A great alternative prime for portraits at a cheaper price. Zoom lenses built into cameras are normally classified by "zoom magnification," which is calculated by dividing the tele focal length by the wide-angle focal length. A telephoto lens makes your subject larger in frame and compresses the background, making the background seem closer. Perhaps the biggest reason zoom lenses are so popular today is that they offer photographers tremendous versatility. Surprisingly, kit lenses like the Canon EF-S 18-55mm can outperform more expensive lenses like the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens at certain apertures. No matter how expensive a super-zoom camera is, the camera and lens combined often cost less than a professional quality zoom or telephoto lens for a dSLR. Zoom lenses do have some disadvantages compared to prime lenses that you should take into consideration. Its big and heavy, but not really any heavier than carrying around 3 prime lenses. On the minus side, at 200mm, you can feel disconnected with the model. This means when you zoom in, the aperture will change and at the same time, you will lose light (your image will become darker). But is that really true? Benefits of zoom lenses. Zoom lenses are fast too. This lens is extremely sharp throughout its entire range but like many super zoom lenses it suffers from slow autofocus at the extremity in anything other than perfect light. For the very reasons stated above, prime lenses can be produced much more cheaply and with greater sharpness than zoom lenses. The Pros. If you are shooting a subject that is moving around, you can sit in one spot and Zoom your lens to keep the subject at the same relative size. Zoom: These are long-range lenses, which have longer focal lengths as compared with the standard zoom lenses. Thankfully, it is a much simpler way to name lenses! The ‘speed’ of a lens (a Fast or a Slow lens) is determined by its aperture. Why use a zoom lens instead of a prime? When photographing animals) Alter perspectives and compress a scene to bring objects closer To summarise, some quick benefits of travelling with a zoom lens include – Compact and easier than carrying multiple prime lenses. That is, if you use a 24-70mm, chances are pretty good that most of your photos are shot at 24mm or 70mm. Back before Zoom Lenses became popular (the 70’s? The Cons. It allows you to get more different shots in the same location. Sign in or create an account to access your information. The popular lenses are 55mm-250mm, 70mm-300mm, and 75mm-300mm. With Wide Zooms, you can adjust the focal length of the lens so that you can see more of the scene around you. Here are the most important advantages: Using one lens … What are the advantages of a lens having a Fixed Maximum Aperture? Especially when considering that the equipment doesn’t make the photographer. All Rights Reserved. Sometime later, a 50mm lens became the standard. Zoom lenses let you travel light and shoot quickly, benefits that can’t be beat. If the subject moves away, we zoom some more. Sure your prime lenses are fast—some at f/1.8 or f/1.4 but there are many zoom lenses that are only slightly slower at f/2.8, f/4 and f/3.5-5.6. In the first place, zoom lenses provide you with convenience. To summarise, some quick benefits of travelling with a zoom lens include – Compact and easier than carrying multiple prime lenses. More Engagement. Below we’ll discuss some common telephoto lens lengths (as they work on a full frame camera) and how and when to use them. Then if it moves away, you can “Zoom In” to bring the subject matter back up to the same size. Apple iPhone 7 Plus/8 Plus, Samsung Galaxy Note 8, OnePlus 5, Xiaomi Mi A1 are some of the dual-camera smartphones that have a wide angle lens and a telephoto lens. If it’s lightweight (and cheap), then it will be slow. This allows you to alter the composition of your photos and fine-tune the shot. For example, I shoot about 90 percent of my assignments with a Canon 16-35mm zoom on one camera body, and a Canon 28-70mm zoom on another body. Or perhaps your budget only allows for one lens. Weight – The downside is that zoom lenses weigh more than prime lenses, though to some there is the other argument. 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