Few things are more fundamental to photography than the difference between zoom and prime lenses. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, and knowing which one is right for various applications will help you choose the right one for your creative tendencies and ensure you get the shot. This helpful video tutorial will teach you the differences and show you which is right for your work.
Coming to you from Pat Kay, this great video tutorial will show you the properties of and differences between prime lenses and zoom lenses. At the most fundamental level, a prime lens is one that offers only one focal length, while a zoom lens offers a range, but there are many consequences that arise from that difference. As you might imagine, a zoom lens is more versatile, but in turn, that also means they tend to be larger, heavier, and more expensive, plus they do not always offer equivalent image quality (though modern zooms are quite remarkable). On the other hand, prime lenses are often cheaper and lighter and can offer a wider maximum aperture, important for anyone working in low light or with shallow depth of field. When choosing a lens, it is important to consider both your creative style and practical needs. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Kay.
