6 Reasons Why You Should Use a Prime Lens

What Are Prime Lenses? 

Prime lenses offer a fixed focal length, such as 35mm, whereas zoom lenses can vary between different focal lengths, such as 18-55mm. Read on for six reasons why you should use a prime lens.     

1. Sharper Image Quality 

Due to the inherent design differences between the two lens styles, prime lenses offer sharper image quality at the same focal length compared to a similarly priced zoom lens. To adjust the focal length and focus of a zoom lens, there need to be more glass layers within the lens to compensate as the focal length changes. Since prime lenses feature a fixed focal length – meaning the lens cannot zoom – there is no need for a complex array of focusing lenses.  

Simplifying the lens design reduces manufacturing costs and allows for sharper images because there is less glass to distort the light between the image subject and the camera’s sensor. 

2. Wider Aperture 

Since prime lenses are simpler and cheaper to produce, manufacturers can use larger, more expensive lens elements for the same price compared to zoom lenses. So, larger apertures are often found on prime lenses than comparable zoom lenses. A typical zoom lens may have a maximum aperture of f/3.5, achievable only at its lowest focal length. High-end zoom lens apertures may get down to f/2.8 or lower; however, your average prime lens goes as low as f/1.8, and expensive lenses may have apertures wider than f/1.2.   

3. Shallower Depth of Field 

Increasing the aperture of a lens allows more light to reach the camera’s sensor, which in turn reduces the depth of field of the image. By lowering the depth of field of an image, the photographer is better able to separate the subject from the background. The faster and wider aperture found in prime lenses allows greater control over the focus of an image. 

4. Cost 

As mentioned, prime lenses are often less expensive than comparable zoom lenses, as their design is cheaper to produce. This is a great option for amateur photographers who are looking to broaden their array of lenses but may not have considered adding a fixed lens to their arsenal. That being said, prime lenses with very large lens elements and wide apertures, such as f/1.2, are still very expensive; but, f/1.8 prime lenses are an affordable option for amateur photographers looking to take their first step into fixed focal length photography.  

5. Master A Focal Length 

Using a versatile zoom lens is great. You can capture many different perspectives of the same subject from the same vantage point by changing the focal length; however, using the fixed focal length of a prime lens, such as 55mm, will train your eye to better understand the image you will capture from any given distance to the subject at that focal length. This constraint allows you to begin thinking more creatively as you learn to imagine the exact shot you are going to capture before even raising the camera to your eye. 

6. Portability

Due to their simple design, prime lenses are often lightweight and compact. This benefits photographers who are on the go or who would like to bring along more than one lens. 

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