Prime vs. Zoom Lenses - Which should you buy?

Prime lenses and zoom lenses both have their places in the kit of a professional photographer, but which type of lens is best for you? In this video I compare the positives and negatives of both types of lenses, and give you a recommendation on which lens you should buy. This video is relevant for both beginner photographers looking to upgrade their 18-55mm kit lens, intermediate photographers looking to understand lens selection a bit more, and professional photographers who are in the market for their next pro lens. Let's talk lenses!

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Video Breakdown:
0:00 - Intro and updates
2:10 - Difference between prime and zoom lenses
3:06 - Benefits of prime lenses
7:30 - Benefits of zoom lenses
10:35 - Which lens should you buy?
15:05 - Ultimatum!

[seandalt]

📸 If you had to choose between prime lenses or zoom lenses to shoot with FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, which would you choose?

[deegreatestever]

Best teacher ever from never holding a camera before to people going crazy over my pics in 14 days now I even know how to edit my photos

[MrXYZ]

Totally agree with your explanation. Just like everyone I'm started with the basic zoom lens (kit lens) and my first prime lens was 50mm. Zoom lens help me to find out what type of photographer was I am. While the prime lens teach me how to face the situation to get the good photo. Finally I understood both of them have their own benefit depend on our situation. If we already know what kind of photo we will take so bring the prime lens with you but if you are not sure what will waiting for you out there bring your zoom lens. Don't take a risk because sometime the good moment happen only once. So for wedding photography if you work alone bring the zoom lens but if you have a team prime lens will be the great weapon...

[kevanalbrighton]

Great video! As a relatively new hobby urban/street photographer using an entry level Nikon DSLR I recently bought a Nikkor 35mm 1.8 prime lens which I love to bits. Completely upgraded my hobby experience. For now now Im sticking with that..

[rj]

Thinking about getting the 35mm f1.4 the most sought out lens for fuji. Currently using the kit lens that came with my xt100 beginners camera.

[Dee-cfnl]

If I had to choose one it would definitely be a good zoom. Versatility for more shooting applications and still have great image quality.

[robmcd]

My most used combination is my Fuji xt4 apsc with a 35 F2. (Nifty 50)

I also own a 16(24) and a 56(85).. and a Canon R5 with 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, 35 1.8 and an adapted EF 70-300 4.5-5.6.. and I’ve owned a Sony A7iii with Tamron 17-28, 28-75, 70-180, Sony 50 1.8, 85 1.8, 24 1.4 and 200-600.

I used to believe wanting to “get the shot” but now I just “want to get the best shot” and that’s why I love a simple lil kit. Horses for courses we say in Australia. I shoot landscapes wide open.

[Jerry-fqic]

One other consideration is sensor dust. With zooms there is less of a need to change the lens as often, and with mirrorless cameras sensor dust can be an issue. Fortunately, though, Canon's technology includes a curtain that protects the sensor from being exposed quite as much. That said, I still prefer the primes for sharpness and weight.

[Whatashek]

Hey nice content man, much appreciated.

If I had to choose that one lens to use for the rest of my life, it would definitely be my Sony 35mm F1/4 GM Prime Lens.
It's light, portable, versatile, and the results are amazing! With this particular lens, I can shoot portraits, real estate, macro shots, landscape, environmental portraits, you name it and it's a really nice lens to shoot 4K videos on my A7iii :)

[chadsullaga]

i couldn't agree more.. very informative and precise.. i love to use my primes coz it brings out more my creative way of shooting.. but it really differs on what circumstances and situations that zoomie bois are actually very useful because of it's versatility. .kudos!

[kai]

I would go for zoom lens. It’s just convenient. If you are on the road, the convenience of zoom lens can’t be beaten. These days image quality between zoom and prime is very marginal.

[paradisoperduto]

This was such a helpful video. Thank you! I love your style and your photos. My husband bought me a Nikon camera as a gift a while ago and I cannot tell you how much I love taking pictures! I watched a ton of YouTube videos and I learned how to shoot in manual mode. It didn't take long to understand the settings. My first lens purchase was the 50mm 1.8 and it completely changed my life. Then I splurged on the 24-70mm 2.8, the older one without the VR. It also changed my life. My kids sports photos improved by leaps and bounds. I have had these two lenses for a while now and I am wondering what lens to get next. Any suggestions for me? I am mostly taking travel photos at this point. Thank you!!!

[dhruJay]

Long time, No see... Welcome back
I always look forward to your videos!

[katbarron]

This is so helpful, thank you! I’ve started investing in new lenses after making a transition in cameras and I’ve been on the fence. I’m going the prime route for now with one zoom lens for landscapes :)

[hiteshchand]

Very good video … crisp and precise info 👌

[jamesyoke]

I'm new at photography and currently have the canon kit lens and a 55-250 mm zoom lens. I prefer the zoom lens because of the flexibility

[joe_a_photo]

My 50mm is probably my fav lens. I love it for family photos. But I’ve always wanted to get a 100-400mm f4 for when I’m out in nature.

[KenchanRGiuce]

Thank you for sharing this video. Totally I agreed with you though currently I'm using mostly Prime Lens, sometime I do feel to have zoom lenses. Will upgrade my Lenses and explore more about photography

[austinnottingham]

Thanks for the help and insight! Great video by the way!

[mackgaro]

Sean you really opened my eyes about prime lenses. Thank you Thank you