There are two fundamental types of lenses: zoom and prime. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to understand them before you make your next purchase. This helpful video will teach you the differences between prime and zoom lenses and help you decide which is right for your work.
Coming to you from Mike Smith, this great video will show you the differences between prime and zoom lenses. At the most foundational level, a prime lens is one that has a fixed focal length, while a zoom lens is one with an adjustable focal length, thus the name. And while it might seem like a zoom is always a better choice due to its greater convenience and versatility, that is not necessarily the case. A prime lens is often simpler in design and thus, lighter and smaller. They also tend to be a bit sharper and offer wider maximum apertures for better light-gathering abilities and control over depth of field. On the other hand, modern zoom lenses are often impressively sharp, and with the high-ISO capabilities of modern bodies, ultra-wide apertures are not always as necessary as they used to be. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Smith.
Zoom lenses allow 1 lens to replace 3-4 primes and eliminate constant lens changes.
A few low light situations a truly fast, f1.4 or faster, allows lower ISO or faster shutter speeds.
But overall with modern cameras higher ISOs more than make up for the 1-2 stop difference of affordable primes.
Lots of people like using a single prime lens plus the benefit in size and weight over a zoom lens. There is this myth that prime users are constantly struggling with multiple lens changes. I personally don’t get on with zoom lenses but each to their own..