Which Lens to buy? Prime vs. Zoom

Let’s just start by saying that I’m no expert at lenses. Let’s just say that I’m no expert on anything. Now, I mingle with filmmakers all the time as so many of them seem to know so much that I don’t know. So as someone who does purchase filmmaking equipment such as cameras and lenses, I seek out advice all the time. Everyone sings the same song: Buy good prime lenses.

I’ve bought one good prime lens. But I don’t get to use it much. Maybe it’s my fault but I love using zoom lenses. So recently I just thought I’d do some research on the differences between the two in terms of quality and price. The following is my conclusion. The experts may disagree but this is what I’ve come to believe after my brief Google excursion into the matter.

1. Historically, prime lenses were made as they are easy to manufacture.
2. Zoom lenses started to be in higher demand because of the flexibility ( you don’t have to move your setup every time you want to move in or out).
3. As manufacturing became geared for zoom lenses, production cost of lower demand prime lenses went up and thus the prices of prime lenses went up. The prices of prime lenses is therefore a result of a lack of demand AND the type of glass used, not just a result of the quality of the lens.

So this whole idea that prime lenses are always better has a little bs in it, IMHO, although it seems that some experts vehemently disagree. Who am I to challenge them anyway? All I can say is that my expensive Canon 50mm 1.4 hardly ever gets used. I find a lot more pleasure fiddling around with my Zoom lenses.

Again, don’t listen to me. I’m no expert. But I’m happy with my zooms. And unless you are strictly a photographer, there is no need, in my opinion to restrict yourself to prime lenses only. Even if your video image is not quite as sharp with your zoom lens as it would be with an equivalent prime, at 24 frames per second, nobody will notice. So save your money.

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