Prime or zoom? What is a prime lens anyway?! How do I know what lens I need? These are all questions that I get asked on a regular basis from both clients and students.  Usually when you buy a consumer grade digital SLR camera it comes with a lens. It is usually not a very good lens either. So, today I am going to talk a little about lenses and give you some general guidelines and recommendations.

These guidelines are, in some cases, generalizations so take the time to do some research on lenses before you buy. This is especially true if you are planning to buy a very expensive lens. I like to read reviews, ask friends and even try them out myself by renting lenses or borrowing from someone.

Canon has two levels of lenses. There is the less expensive consumer group of lenses and then there is the L-series lenses. You can identify an L-series lens by it's red stripe around the front section of the lens. L-series lenses are more expensive and generally better made. Most L-series lenses have rubber seals that make them dust proof and water tight when paired with the right camera body. They are said to be made with better materials, namely the lens glass. They are supposed to be sharper around the edges of the frame as well.

Let me explain the difference between a prime lens and a zoom lens. A prime lens is, quite simply, a lens that does not zoom. It has only one focal length vs. a focal length range like a zoom. When you use a prime lens you have to move yourself around in relation to the activity instead of zooming in or out with your lens. I use almost all prime lenses in the studio. Why use prime lenses instead of a zoom? There are many reasons to explore the world of prime lenses so let me give you a few. Prime lenses are usually sharper than their zoom counterparts, especially around the edges. They are often smaller than your zoom lens, which makes them easy to tote around and also lighter. Fixed focal length lenses are usually also faster, which means they have a wider aperture or f-stop setting. Prime lenses are also often cheaper than their zoom counterparts.

One of the best reasons to own a zoom lens is for its versatility. This is very true when it comes to chasing your kids around the park. I use my 28-70 mm f2.8 L-series lens a lot when I am traveling and taking pictures of my children. It allows me to travel light (often with only one lens). Zoom lenses also require fewer lens changes which make for less sensor cleaning. Changing your lens is one of the ways in which dust can get into your camera and onto your sensor. Many of the new camera bodies are self cleaning though making the dust issue not a very big deal. Zoom lenses also make for less lenses in the camera bag.

Here is a list of some of my very favorite zoom lenses:

Canon L-series EF 70-200mm f2.8: I love this lens because it is so flattering for portraits! It's heavy and bulky but very, very beautiful.

Canon L-series EF 24-70mm f2.8: this is my all-purpose-chase-my-kids-around-travel lens. I do not, however, use it at the studio or when doing my own creative image taking. I like my primes and the 70-200 for that sort of shot.

My favorite prime lenses:

My all time fave! the 85mm f1.8: this lens is perfect for my studio portraits. I use it and my 50 mm prime lens the most of all my lenses.

This is the 85mm I wish I had, 85mm f1.2 but that's just me being greedy.

The 50mm lens that I use the most, 50mm compact macro f2.5

This is the 50mm that I dream about.

Canon EF 28mm f1.8: I enjoy this lens but don't use it as regularly as the others. If your camera is NOT full frame like the 5D you may find this lens or a lovely 35 mm prime more useful in some ways than the 50 mm. That is something you will need to experiment with and see.

If you are an amateur shooter or have a limited lens budget (like most folks!) then you will want to check out this post that I wrote about non name brand lenses and how lenses are priced.

Happy Monday, hope the info on the lenses is helpful. Do you have a favorite lens? I'd love to know why. Leave us a comment below and tell us about what you use and why.