[Ratmagiclady]

Definitely a prime for me, ....specifically a fast 85 or digital equivalent, most of the time, enough that I was going to start off my digital gear with the 50 1.4 as first and only.

I do expect that the digital may be doing a lot more of the zoom-lensey *jobs,* though: these rarely come out with film.

[HGMonaro]

the only people that might be confused are *very* old school people who haven't been on the interwebs before.

exactly!!!! (extra exclaimation marks due to minimal msg length requirements!!!!)

[Marc Sabatella]

Perhaps most of the discussions of this matter took place before you were old enough to read.

Could be, but in case you hadn't noticed, language evolves. The use of "prime" to mean "fixed focal length" may have been controversial 50 years ago, but it's completely standard accepted practice now. Might as well complain that "internet" isn't a word because that your 50-year old dictionary doesn't mention it.

[J.Scott]

I don't find it particularly irksome to use the phrase 'prime lens' when speaking of lenses of fixed focal length; and I am an old fart!

I've aquired quite a few zoom lens over the years and do use them but I find more joy in using manual focus prime lenses. I fiddle around too much trying to get the proper focal length with zooms rather than just taking a picture.

[SpecialK]

What is the difference?

Syllables.

[branphlake]

My entire history basically revolves around two cameras. K1000 in the film days that I've used since being a teen. And the K20D.

On the K1000 I had the choice of cheap primes and cheap zooms, I always chose the primes. The resulting photos spoke for themselves, the pop and colours were fantastic.

On the K20D the DA* 16-50 just boggles my mind, I still want to get some decent primes, the voigt 58 and da35 macro, and I might turn into a prime shooter again - if anything for the size factor. But at the moment I just feel its no rush. If anything I wouldnt mind a long prime first as I dont have as much confidence with the 50-135 as I'd like to have.

The 50-135 is much more reliable than the 16-50mm, IMO. A lot of 16-50mm copies suffer from chromatic issues, etc.

[séamuis]

im a "prime", without a doubt. more specifically I am a 55mm.

[Rense]

im a "prime", without a doubt. more specifically I am a 55mm.

You mean a 55mmF1.8, I suppose?

Primes for me. Manual primes. I see the value of AF and of zoom, but somehow I just love to use MF fixed focal length lenses. And I'm torn between three loves: M42 Russians vs. Takumars vs. Pentax-A. Can't choose, can only make more photos. HELP...

[MikePerham]

I use zooms for event photography but when shooting landscapes, macro/close up etc., that invariabley employ a tripod, I prefer primes. However, since I have the 16-50 and 50-135 and no primes in those focal lengths, I would use them regardless if the required lens fell within that focal range. I really think zoom lenses are the only way to go for events/weddings etc., and the range from 16 -135 covers that ...hence my preference for zooms in that range.

ps: I am currently selling off some old gear to fund the purchase of a DA* 55 f1.4 that will get a lot of use for portrait and available light work at events/weddings.

[séamuis]

You mean a 55mmF1.8, I suppose?

oh my, yes. the 1.8 55mm indeed.

[a a i b]

I'm a prime.

Zoom's one more thing to think about.

[Fixcinater]

I'm a zoom when I'm working (except for sports), a prime when I'm shooting for myself or walking around.

[Oggy]

I started with zooms, but since I got the DA*300 I have seen the way forward.

Next in my sights - the DFA 100 macro.

[yeatzee]

Prime.... no question about it. Sadly though I cannot afford any telephoto primes atm (really envying that DA*300mm) so on the long end I only have my 55-300mm (great lens, but just not the same as using a prime).

specifically im a 105mm.....

[raymeedc]

im a "prime", without a doubt. more specifically I am a 55mm.

Ditto. Whenever I go on "one lens shooting" excursions (which is more often than not, as I like traveling light & uncomplicated) I almost invariably have one of my Takumar 55s mounted.