Why I Ditched the Zoom - A PRIME LENS for landscape photography

Can using just one lens can really help to improve your creativity with your camera.

NIKON GEAR (Main STILLS camera)

FILM GEAR

OTHER PHOTO GEAR

[stephenchampion]

I was feeling a tad "stressy', , , but after watching this I'm now completely blissed out... Thank you!!!

[stuartschaffner]

That was really useful, Nigel. I have been an amateur photographer for over 60 years. However, I only started to paint and draw about 5 years ago. I'm still not very good at that, but it's fun to learn new things. I feel that even my newbie attempts to draw and paint have made me a much better photographer. I would recommend that serious photographers spend some time watching the YouTuber Ian Roberts or someone similar. Ian works a lot with reference photographs that he takes himself. So, you get to see exactly how a professional oil painter analyzes a photographic composition to find a simpler but still compelling composition within it.

Even if you don't want to learn about painting techniques, there are many lessons from painting that I think you can apply to photography. The best place to explore that is when editing. Experiment with cropping, even severe cropping. If you're a landscape photographer and find a hidden gem, you can often return with a longer lens to get a higher-resolution shot. Also, with today's super sharp lenses and high-pixel-density sensors, don't be hesitant to choose an aspect ratio for your final image that fits the composition. There are reasons why the vast majority of paintings are on roughly square canvases.

[markledbury]

Excellent video Nigel! I appreciated how you walked and talked us through your thinking about each scene and liked the little tips along the way. Thank you!😊

[garymanning]

Thanks Nigel, it was very timely for me as I was planning to ditch my zooms and pick out three focal lengths to take me back to my roots of 6 decades of photography. Your pictures were exceptional in this video. I have chosen what used to be my favourite analogue focal lengths which are 20/21mm 40mm and 85mm which is my favourite length for landscape particularly in the mountains. I have become very uninspired by using a 24-120 for too long and getting lazy. Thank you for the motivation.

[ZappaBlues]

Leaving your tripod behind for a bit. I can see the grin on James Popsys' face. 😁

[paulinefollett]

I just love all those green colours. It is such a great exercise. You got some really nice shots.

[buildaiskills]

I know I'm just a lone voice in a sea of noise, but I really enjoy your videos and photos Nigel. Keep up the excellent work.

[noeleb]

I really enjoy using the 85mm lens for waterfall photography. I step way back, open the aperture up as far as it will go, and find trees that I can place near the outside edges. It works really well to create a natural frame around a waterfall with out of focus trees.

[hubertcole]

Last fall during a photo tour I just took my fuji 80 macro on a xt3. I do think I did my best work that day during the three days.🙂

[mariebird]

A lovely video with great content. Lovely shots, and good practical advice showing, the pros and cons of using a fixed lens. The ‘positives’ outweigh the negatives I think. Nigel. Thank you for sharing, Nigel. Another lovely Sunday morning inspiring video.

[robbeythecarpenter]

Around 85 is a great focal length ... I use a 50mm 1.8 on an APC camera and get great results at 80mm ... nice to see some confirmation on this focal length. Thanks

[jonstout]

I have been trying to convince myself to go out with my Z7 and just the 85mm prime. You have pushed me to make that a reality. I love the lens, and it will challenge me to think out of the box. That was great advice and your images were fantastic. Cheers!

[johnblystone]

I appreciate your commentary on composition. Thanks Nigel!!!

[traceybartlam]

Such a beautiful place. I love being in woods and the greens at this time of year are crazy

[JohnWoodringPhotography]

I recently got a Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro STM lens for portraits and product photography. Yesterday I took it out on my neighborhood walk and loved it. Normally, I take my RF 50mm f/1.8 but I think I have a new walk around lens. I liked how the focal length brought some subjects closer but not too close. The macro capability opened up a new avenue of photography in an area (Aurora, Colorado) that many would not consider scenic enough to photograph. I can’t wait to take this lens to Denver for some street photography.

[GreasyFox]

I have a Nikkor 20mm f/1.8 S prime lens, and love it very much when it comes to wide angle landscape photoshoot.

[celinemorisset]

As always Nigel, it is so interesting to hear about your photography in action. Thank you for sharing, I learn so much. Best regards,

[retirewithjames]

Great idea in looking at using different lens. I've done it in the same locations and it is amazing how your results are so different. One looks at compositions somewhat differently when using one particular lens over another.

[OscarKnutsson]

That 85mm f/1.8 was my first purchase when i ditched my kit lens 5 years ago, awesome lens for so many things. Often i use that lens for isolating subjects. For a month ago i went in to some deep woodland with thick moss and old trees. It performs so well in those conditions when it´s low light and i can go handheld with f/1.8. As you said it challenges you to move around and that makes you progress and think more how you compose your photograph.
Another great video Nigel! I don´t know the name of the guy who runs the videocamera, but he does a great job aswell!

[whafrog]

This has become my absolute favourite focal length for nature walks, especially if the lens has a very open aperture. It really helps isolate subjects and create more intimate shots. Very nice shots, you have fantastic examples of how this lens can be effectively used.