[k100d]

primes here too. i fidget with zooms when they are available and i can always use more speed if i can get it

[figmental1978]

I use cheap primes. the reason I don't have fast zooms is that I can't afford them and after a few years with primes, not sure that I care to go zoom anyway. I do have a few cheap zooms but rarely use them.

[CSoars]

I guess my signature explains it. Primes for speed and focusing ease, as well as being less conspicuous during travel, on the streets, and in venues.

[K100Dave]

Primes, due to the fact that they're more challenging than my zoom(s)

[kathyk]

Primarily prims, but for some situations like a dance performance, orchestra, play, birthday party, I really appreciate the wide to normal zoom. I used a 21mm only at a bd party once though and was pretty pleased with the result. I guess when I am more or less 'planted' in a seat, I prefer a zoom to get the varity of views I like.

[pop4]

(cue's sound of Mazda car ad): Zoom zoom zoom....

Because I'm lazy, and I find that I do a lot of my photography whilst on travels, I tend to use zooms, e.g. my Sigma 10-20 is one of my most used lenses.

However, I do sometimes cheat on my zoom lenses and take a prime out for a day of shooting, or use one for studio/static type work when I have a lot more control of the environment.

[tdmsu]

I prefer primes most of the time, but I also use a zoom if I am shooting wildlife...

[avian]

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.

[Voe]

call me old fashioned, but I prefer manual focus prime lenses. I dislike lenses made of plastic.

[dugrant153]

I'm a bit of an odd ball. I use primes from wide angle to about 55mm. Then from then on, I'll use my DA* 50-135.

So I like primes for wide angle to about normal-midtelephoto. And the DA* 50-135 from there.

I use both depending on what I am doing or if I need the length. I tend to use primes when I know what FL I'm going to be using or I need the speed. I use the zoom when I know that I am going to be changing focal lengths rapidly, it's a trade off, get the shot or not.

[Syb]

I am using primes, primes, primes

and a zoom.

My special interest is in portrait- tele- and macro-work. I have several prime lenses that enable me to do that.

For the occasions that I really don't want to miss (although my eyes are used to look for "tele" occasions, so they do not see a lot of "wide" occasions) I have a zoom. The standard kit lens 18-55.

One could argue that the bellows is kind of a zoom lens, even with a prime lens attached to that. I feel the combination is more of a prime though.

[Syb]

What is the difference?

[audiobomber]

I use primes for specific situations only; for portraits, the 50mm 1.4, for low light indoors the A 28mm, for macro the D FA 100mm. But if I'll be shooting a variety of subjects at a number of focal lengths, I mount the DA 16-45mm. It doesn't have quite the resolution of the primes but it's close. It's not as fast, but it's sharp from F4. It has nice colour rendition, so using it is not a much of a compromise. My primes are all pretty compact, so it's easy to mount a zoom and carry one or two primes in case I need them. I will likely get the new 15mm Ltd to complete my prime kit.

I use the 55-300mm mostly as a walking around lens in the bush. I like that it goes so wide but I find it too short a lot of the time. I'll need a long range solution, but it will probably be another zoom for maximum versatility.

[ChrisPlatt]

What is the difference?

The correct term for a fixed focal length lens is "fixed focal length" lens.

Chris