I am in a tiny minority that absolutely *haaaaates* the beginner advice to stick to primes at first. I tried that and hated it and immediately bought a zoom lens and finally found JOY in my camera. Zooms are FUN. This is a factor that so much of so-called serious photography advice ignores. I spent my first year of photography running around with a travel zoom capturing all kinds of things near and far and loving every second of it. After a while, I had enough experience to become aware of the limitations of zoom lenses and the advantages of prime lenses and began using and appreciating the latter. We all have cell phones nowadays and when we first buy a "serious" camera, it needs to offer something significantly better for the interest to stick. For me, that was the zoom lens. It made photography a lot more fun than with my cell phone. That's how I fell in love with photography. When people start out, they just want and need to have fun. They don't need artificial limitations for the sake of pedagogy.
Hard agree with this. I started out with the gx80 and it's 24-70mm equivalent kit lens and I immediately went and purchased the 90 - 300mm equivalent zoom for a trip round SE Asia for 3 months. Having access to such a wide range meant that I could take pictures of whatever I wanted and I discovered an absolute love of portrait photography that I never would have got with just a 35mm or even the kit lens by itself. I've since swapped the kit and zoom for a superzoom 28-300 travel lens (which I love) and bought myself small fast primes for speiifc purposes that my superzoom can't quite do justice to - a 40mm for street, a 90mm for portraits, and I'm currently hunting for a wide angle for astro. So yes - get some zoom, have fun, and see what you enjoy shooting at / taking photos of. After that we can look at honing our craft
Couldn't agree more! My zoom lens enables me to think on my feet. If I had a prime I'd have no choice but to move on my feet😅 I haven't tried a prime yet, but I don't see myself giving up the flexibility a zoom lens gives me anytime soon.
Please bear with us, dinosaurs from the last century, whose first camera was a point and shoot and who went to large sensors in search of sharpness and large apertures.
Just a little tiny observation: a lock with three wheel, each going from 0 to 9, has 1,000 combinations (000 is a combination), and if it has four wheels, then you have 10,000 possible combinations.. On other matters, I love zoom lenses because they allow me to capture details of faraway subjects that I can't get close to.
I was about to comment on this one 🙂 The event space is between 0 and 9, giving you 10 unique random variables that are mutually independent. Each wheel is independent, and each wheel must then exist in its own R+ dimension. Indexing each random variable to an integer, "0" maps to 0, "1" to 1, etc, we can safely assume (although it is already concretely in R) that the probability space lies in the R^3, uniquely for the three wheels probability. Then you can count all the possible events by multiplying the max number of events for wheels 1, 2 and 3 ie 10 x 10 x 10. Then, it is a similar process for any number of wheels. I have a love-hate with zoom lenses and I own only one, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM and 8 prime lenses. If it is a stage concert (I volunteered several times to take photos during our uni annual party), I prefer the zoom lens as we are not allowed to go onto the stage. But if the events let me get closed and allow me to mingle around, I'd prefer to have Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM almost the entire time. But, I do usually have Sony FE 55mm F1.8 Zeiss the entire time, just in case. Last week I was in Spain for a holiday and I just got Sony FE 24mm F2.8 G that I bought two weeks prior and I just fall in love with this lens. Street photography, group photos at a table in a restaurant, foods on the tables, individual plates, beaches and half-body portraits. It might not be the best, but it works most of the time. Perhaps because it is small and light.
I was about to comment this as well. You mean tele lenses. There are Wide&Tele lenses, and Prime("Fixed")/Zoom lenses. Zoom is with variable focal lenght (sometimes also variable apeture at different focals), 24-70mm would be a zoom lens 24mm is wide-end, 70mm is tele-end. 50mm lens is a fixed, considered tele lens. ≤24mm is ultra wide 24-35mm is wide 35-200mm is tele ≥200mm is super tele (These are half my assumptions, some have other definitions as well)
FINALLY somebody addresses the problem with “zooming with your feet”. It’s almost never that parallax from “zooming with your feet” won’t ruin a composition you want to simply tighten into without shifting the components of your image. This is where zoom lenses are superior. Prime lenses are great for portability, low light, and intention. Knowing you have a specific focal length on your camera to shoot a certain way (for example, 35mm for environmental subject photography, or 16mm for establishing shots), it allows for less distraction and laziness from just zooming your lens when you may actually want to shift your composition around without realizing it. You can of course do this with zooms too, but you must stay mindful of that before turning the barrel. Also your point in a zoom lens offering a wider variety of options muddying up your workflow is SO relatable. I love how with a prime lens I can just walk away from a scene in little time because I only have so much I can capture, and limitations breed creativity, but with my zoom lenses I tend to stay there so much longer just looking for shots using every focal length printed on that lenses barrel. In conclusion I have yet to decide on wether I want to shoot all zoom or all prime, and for now I have a mix of both because they are apples to oranges indeed. I think your fail-safe mentality with zooms is a great way to use them, and a way I’ll try to use my tiny prime-sized Sigma 18-50mm 2.8 myself.
So close. 0-9 has 10 values as zero is its own distinct option, so 999 has 1000 options. I bought my camera with a 28-70mm kit lens and bought a 50mm prime later for the sweet, sweet bokeh. I forced myself to take all my pictures with the 50mm so I can learn the techniques for composition. One of the few times I've felt like a zoom lens would be better for me is when I've taken photos at a crowded event and not been able to move back far enough to get people in frame.
My own advice about zooms is to leave the camera in the bag. Find your shot with your eyes - decide what you want to include and what orientation, then get the camera out and adjust to zoom to fit your vision. Otherwise I just 'see through the camera' and spend a lot longer fiddling about rather than just deciding what the composition is with my eyes, then using a camera to get it.
I'm a zoom fan, yes I have primes too but when traveling especially there are times and places I can't 'zoom' with my feet and/or I don't want to encroach on a stranger's space. Not to mention, having multiple focal lengths in my hands and less weight to carry all day is a major convenience. I gave up being a purist with primes and all the snobbery that went with it (at least for me) and have embraced my zooms.
I think you can easily use both. Find a motive, move as far as possible until it looks good, then use the zoom to get as much as you want on the picture. And additionally maybe zoom a bit out for further changes on clipping or if you need portrait instead of landscape or vice versa. With film it was even more important because most of the time you needed to fill a slide exactly as you wanted it because you nearly couldn't change anything afterwards (especially with a projector). I just tried a new camera (with zoom) in the city and found several motives. I also took a SLR with film and a 50mm. There were lots of motives which just couldn't work because you are limited on position. And even if you can move there often will be other obstacles get in you way.
As long as you have got only 1 or 2 primes, yes, the choices and decision about focal length is easier than a zoom. But once you got a lot of primes like 24, 28, 35, 50mm your decision process which focal length to take (decide either at home which lens to put in your bag or when carrying all of them around) isn't really much easier but much more cumbersome if you want to check different focal lengths before taking the shot!
Its about the same price, depending on which prime lenses youre thinking of. One quality f2.8 is hella expensive. But you can zoom 4 primes likewise adds up, but you have to change the lenses. I would say a mix between zooms and primes is good.
I love how James is able to humanize his craft by putting himself in the shoes of a viewer that’s more than likely not as successful as he is. When I watch these videos I feel like a friend is talking to me and not a seasoned veteran (I mean that in the best way possible). Thanks for staying humble James!
0000 is also an option, so you have 10,000 options. That aside, I really appreciated the zoom vs "zoom with our feet" illustration. I'll have to dust off the zoom!
For me the main reason to have a zoom lens (16-70 f4) is that I sometimes just want to take 1 lens with me without having to compromise on the possible compositions. Sure, I compromise on the aperture compared to my 30mm f1.4 or a 85mm f1.8 but most of the time thats not the main concern. Often my main concern is weight and portability. I dont want to carry an extra backpack just for lenses if I am going for a walk. And always sticking with one prime doenst work forever I believe. At some point you start seeing so many great shots that would benefit from a slightly different focal length.
as a concert photographer who started off with only a prime lens, it was an absolute ballache of a learning curve and i had to work so much harder than those around me to get 'the' shot. however, i wouldn't have had it anyother way; i learnt some really useful discipline while also developing my eye for composition at (what felt like) an accelerated rate. but with that said, i only ever use a zoom lens now and i love it
I shoot for one band, and I am not constrained to a pit or three songs. I can shoot entire shows, and from anywhere. That said, I am still bound by the layout of venue and the stage wings (or lack thereof). My most used lens is a 100-400, followed by the first lens I ever bought, a 24-105. Last is a 14-24. I also use 70-200, but the 100-400 has mostly replaced that. I have been wanting to add a prime or two, not for the focal length, but for the stop or three of extra light.
The thing I realized when I got a 24-70, is that if I'm not shooting 24 or 70, I'm almost always somewhere between 35mm and 40mm. So I ended up buying a 35mm lens and use it most of the time. (and additionally, I use an X100 more than my mirrorless camera, probably for the same reason) I find the value of zooms to be more important on the long end of things. I shoot auto racing and team sports. 70-200 gives me a lot of useful focal lengths. 100-400 even more so.
I feel like i'm listening to a 5 year old tell me a story, and somehow i'm understanding every single bit of it while understanding none of it. Job well done James!
As a documentary & portrait photographer.... i couldn't care less about primes... i need a 24-70 & 70-200 and everything else can go away... primes are great if you're in a studio and everything is predictable... i got my Leica 24-90& 90-280 and wouldn't trade them for any primes Primes were never really all that popular with pros on DSLR, but in the last decade or so since people think they need the shallowest depth of field to take pictures primes have become increasingly popular, i hate them... best example is the Fuji 50 f1... it's big and heavy and just incredibly inconvenient... i want my life to be easy no hard... My advice for beginners is use that Kit lens, they're absolutely amazing these days Also.... there's 1000 options 000 is an option aswell
You know what would solve the problem? Clicks on the zoom ring. Some will instantly get it. Others will ask, "what's the point?" Part of the problem with zooms is there's no real reason nor indicator for shooting at any given focal length, which for a lot of shooters, is a part of what defines their signature or at least their intent when they go out to shoot. Presumably, at least some of those shooters use zooms like primes: they set the focal length and move to compose appropriately.
A year ago i started using specific focal lengths on my standard zoom to learn their different perspectives and later on different focal lengths for their specific perspective, it really helped my creative process and got me creatively un-stuck again.
I think what you want to say in this video is: "Don't forget that you still have the option to walk forward and backward when you have a zoom lens!" This way you can put a beautiful mountain or whatever into or out of view. The zoom function can glue photographers to the ground. Thanks for this eye opening video! 👍
The One Handed Southpaw Newbie Photographer here James. Love the channel! So very glad your out there. I think I most enjoy your approach to explaining your personal view of photography and your photos of course. Inevitably I come away with a better, deeper understanding of things like: concepts, this gear versus that gear; why do this not that. Love the dialogue. Love the stream of consciousness and your awareness of your surroundings. I'm quite glad I'm a Johnny come lately, because there is so much I want to learn and your a part of my library. My almost daily walks with my camera are now more intentional, focused and enjoyable. I really don't care if anyone ever sees my photos because that is not the point. As they say, It's the journey I'm into. All the best. Regards from Nova Scotia. Thank you for sharing.
I will never get tired of your random interjections that have seemingly nothing to do with the topic at hand. It manages to keep videos interesting and engaging, top notch humor and great video as always!
Interesting to see zoom lenses positioned as the more advanced, more difficult option. I think more often you see zoom lenses associated with beginners. Honestly this video made me wanna use zoom lenses and master the difficulty.
Always when I'm out with my midrange zoom I'm finding shots where I'm thinking: "Man, so glad I have this zoom, I wouldn't be able to get this nice shot without it!". Only to get home and realise they're all crap. Yes, I'm missing shots when I'm out with my 28mm or my 50mm. But I'm way more focussed and the shots I do get just seem to come out better more often than not.
I don't think it's a good idea to start photography with restrictions, which is why I reject the advice to start with prime lenses. Start with a zoom lens and have fun. Over time you will learn the value of prime lenses and restrictions. But a beginner should be free. I think people automatically import into photography this ethos that austerity/restrictions are good for beginners, without absolutely any evidence that this is in fact true. I think restrictions only force creativity once one has become comfortable in the craft. And the best way to be comfortable is to have unrestricted fun. Use that zoom. Shoot all kinds of things as a beginner. Little by little, over time, you will start appreciating the value of restrictions and start using prime lenses, film, etc. But for a beginner, forget all that. Get a zoom and lens and go out and enjoy yourself. Capture beautiful images that bring you joy without regard for artificial restraints.
I truly enjoy your take on zoom lenses. For years I've been told by many other photographers to "move your feet and get closer" as opposed to zooming. Now you've brought my main argument against that school of thought to light. For this I thank you!!
I think there are cases for both. I found that as a beginner with not a lot of cash, a cheap prime was a great way to get some quality glass on my camera. But then when it comes to work, I would say that my 24-70 is by far my most used lens. It’s just so useful when you need to be fast and get shots on the go. But then again it’s much more expensive. So I think there is many reasons for both primes and zooms, all depends on what you need 😊 Great video and nice photos James. Looking forward to the next one!
The price factor is real. When I was in photojournalism school we all bought 50s because they were cheap and, with cheap cameras with bad high ISO performance, we often needed the wide apertures. Once we had nicer cameras and could afford good glass we started caring 24-70/2.8s and the primes became more niche tools.
Oh my god... I started my photo journey with 50mm f/1.8 and after that slowly I grew my lens collection with primes only: 85mm 1.8, 135mm 2.8, 35mm 1.8 and I always wanted to have zoom lens. Finally, after almost 8 years I bought 70-200mm f/2.8 AAAAAAAND.... I was so disappointed. I thought that it will be so versatile, that now the land of opportunity opened for me, no more missed shots, perfect composition every time. Oh how wrong was I. Thank You for this video because I can agree with every word in it. I thought that there is something wrong with me that I just cannot use zoom lens properly. "Limiting yourself" is actually more creative, it is forcing you to find this perfect composition with every inch of your body. You just have to start feel the place around You. I will keep this 70-200 because I will be shooting with it only with fixed focal like 135 or 200mm because - same as You and for other reasons like sport/event photography.
I’ve been a fan of this channel since I started my first year in college. I find the subject you talk about easy to understand and often times similar to how I feel about photography. Each week I look forward to your videos and can’t wait to see how this channel continues to grow. Also I hope anyone reading this has a lovely day.😊
So glad to see someone actually address the problem with zooming with your feet: your feet are what controls perspective, and using them to zoom will create fundamentally different images. I think there's perhaps value in having a beginner stick to a prime precisely because it forces them to observe how position impacts the composition, and gets them out of the trap of standing wherever they end up and composing by zoom, but it shouldn't be dogmatically pushed on them as the only proper way to learn. And for many it's just a learning tool, not something they should commit to for an extended period, and that's why the advice to buy a prime, and ignoring the possibility to simply use a zoom like a prime, is often impractical and a bad use of funds. Better to have a beginner commit to a focal length on a zoom, experiment with others when they realize a choice won't work, and get experience with multiple focal lengths before committing to one in a prime. I'm an exclusively prime shooter myself, but I think the advice pushing beginners towards primes often gets a little out of hand. Maybe a prime will be perfect for them, maybe it'll harm their development to be stuck with it-either way they should get some experience with multiple focal lengths rather than investing in just one before they're qualified to know if it's right for them.
Having recently picked up film photography after acquiring my uncle's film camera and lens collection this was my exact reasoning for just grabbing the 50mm and sticking with it. In comparison to my digital camera where I'd shoot aperture priority with autofocus, going to completely manual was definitely a step up so to make the whole process easier my first thought was to remove the need to think about focal length. So far it's been great and I don't see the need to pick up any other lens for the foreseeable future.
I have a few thoughts on this 1) since I got a mirrorless camera I find that a lot more dust gets in compared to my DSLR, so changing lenses has become a more dangerous operation 2) I definitely had been thinking out this exact thing - that having a zoom makes me more lazy. You said it perfectly with the phrase muddies the water. 3) If you know what you want to say with your picture the range of options narrows down quickly. Yes, saying to somebody to get fixed focal length is good, but with one focal length they will never understand why I'm running away from the subject and zooming in rather than staying where I am and zooming out. I was shooting a concert yesterday (just for fun, not hired) and I had a fixed 20mm on, and a three of my friends waved at me from their table to take their picture, I snapped it on the 20mm because I was lazy to change lenses plus they didn't feel like moving closer together, and of course the picture came out bad. Had I had a zoom on, I would step back and zoom in.
I only carry two lenses, I carry two primes, the 24mm EF-s is always on my camera for my home town documentary photography project and spontaneous street in the city, my 50mm is for when i specifically ask for a portrait where i want compression and separation, the 24mm covers everything else that I do (Documentary stills, street, architecture, and travel).
It all depends on what type of photography you do, if you're doin' a job for someone or if you're doin' it for your shop or for yourself. Having "barriers" is always helpful for the creativity, but when you have a goal to reach because the guy who is paying you is asking you to give him, idk, 5 photos of his students playing the instruments (for example) or if you're shooting sport, having a zoom and using that zoom is vital.
Watching James has really helped me enjoy photography more and get better at it. His advice of sticking to one lens on a day of shooting really makes you look for a photo opportunity and think about the composition more, without the panic of swapping lenses constantly and finding you've missed a shot from all the faffing around. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way. Thanks, James.
I use zoom more or less as a “live cropping tool”, i.e. I don't think too much about the actual focal length while shooting, but concentrate instead on getting the composition I want (which still involves moving around to get the right angle). Tons better than cropping in post! The Nikkor 18-140mm (~27-210mm) is my go-to, like 95% of the time with my D7200. Yes, it's a budget solution; yes, it's a hobby; no, I haven't sold any… yet? But it's decent quality for the cost and convenience. Also I'm lazy, so my feet don't zoom very well. If I want the fixed focal length challenge I do also have a 35mm (~50mm), which can be really nice some times, and it sets a whole different mood for the shooting process. This all said, I do most of my shooting “from the hip”, picking subjects as they appear. This doesn't allow for much planning, focal length wise, so the zoom is essential.
I only have two zooms... a long one...because I cannot justify dropping over ten grand for one lens. The other is the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8...because it's an f/1.8. Thing is...all of my images have the same 'look' with the zooms. That can be a plus for some. You can change the focal length...but it's the same lens...and is going to have the same look. Having primes...gives me...'flavors'...it also gives me a bit more DOF options. I do think everyone needs at least one zoom...but I personally only use it on occasion...so it keeps its' 'flavor'.
I am a beginner photographer and use prime lenses because I shoot a lot in difficult light conditions without flash. If I were shooting under normal conditions most of the time, I would use zoom lenses because today in the age of phones there is no one who can differentiate between the photos especially after they have been edited.
Hey James new to the channel! I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on this topic, as a video first person, this reminded me when I first started going down the visual journey. If as a new Photographer/Videographer you find yourself not know what to shoot because of the endless options, what focal lengths to shoot, what composition, aperture, iso, etc. Limit your options! Limiting your options may sound like a bad thing when you're first beginning, but ironically the process of limiting yourself helps you refine your thought process on an individual factor, allowing oneself to practice more of that skill. For example most of us could can communicate, but we didn't start with telling our life stories. We started with learning the sounds of each alphabet, practice writing out each individual letter, putting letter together to form words, Learning what the formed words meant. Putting words into a sentence, putting sentences to form a paragraph. You get the point. So, I like to refer to the concept as the three C's, Constraints Creates Creativity. Similar to how back in English class the teacher gave us a topic to write about because they knew that most of the students wouldn't even know where to start. Thanks for the video James!
This is a reason I’m enjoying the Tamron 20-40. It’s a small(ish), limited zoom that I can use at 40mm, zooming out only when I need the extra real estate for my composition…which is often with a toddler.
Wow, James, your ability to seamlessly transition from ambulances to guitars in a photography video is truly remarkable! Can't wait to see what noises you'll bring us in the next video!
This is exactly how I use zoom lenses. Cut down option paralysis by sticking to the common focal lengths, and pick my preferred focal length for the scene. Might take more trial and error than using a zoom the 'lazy' way but imo this gives some of the benefits of using a prime lens while still having the versatility of a zoom. Great video and discussion, James!
As mentioned in the video zooms give you options. Options equal flexibility. For the opportunistic photographers like myself, flexibility is critical. Sure, the options can be overwhelming if you dwell on them too much. I prefer to look at the scene, decide on a composition and then make it work. You move, you walk, you change position and you zoom to get the composition you want. Simple. I fell for the purist street photography mantra of carrying a single prime and making it work. Went so far as to buy a Fuji X100v (fixed 35mm equivalent lens). It is an excellent and very cool (for the hipster doofus in all of us) camera and I got lots of great images on my last trip to Italy. But I also saw, but was unable to capture, a lot of other great images due to the inflexibility. A small camera or a typical DSLR with a small prime can be a pleasure to carry. However, for me the gigantic ponderous 24-70 f2.8 is going to be my go-to most of the time.
This is why I do the old Call of Duty side arm set up. 1 camera for variety, 1 camera for specialty. An example would be: GRIIIX for that 40mm and then a zoom on the main camera. No image quality compromises. Or flip that around: 35mm on the main camera, and a little RX100 in the pocket for the occasional need to go wider/closer. Some image quality compromises, but the RX100 will do great video. This helps if you have generally small gear though. So you don't feel kitted out like a bellend and kicked out of places for looking like press without a pass.
Late to this party, and probably first time to this channel. Two quick points. First, it never fails that different genres, boiled down to their basics, are very much alike. In dance, when more people are having difficulty with slightly more complex choreography, it's helpful to have them go back to the basic roots of the movement, and understand those first. Second, I enjoyed your discussion on PRIMEs vs. ZOOMs, and in sum, agree. That said, for action or sports photographers, shooting at only one focal length is possible, but means lots of missed moments and potential shots. I know you meant this in a general way. You did say, that only when you couldn't get the shot at a focal length, you engaged the zoom. However, most sports photographers I know live with their hand on a zoom ring these day. Thanks for a thoughtful and uncommon look at this topic on RUclips. From your comments and views, you do not need my well wishes. Lovely work.
Being new into photography and already obsessed with it, I'm really glad the algorithm showed me your channel James! Really helpful advice for a newby like me
I think what you’re getting at is how easy it is with a zoom to try and solve your composition problems by just zooming in or out, rather than thinking creatively on how to best frame the shot.
Try this: when you get home from a shoot with a zoom lens, check the whole batch in lightroom, it can filter photos by focal length. 90% of the photos are on the shortest or the longest focal length with very little in between for me.
Tons of opinions in here, and none are wrong. In the end people need to do whatever gets them out shooting photos. Thanks for all the work you put into these videos James.
The ability to captivate whilst seemingly rambling nonsense (that USUALLY makes sense in the end) is a skill you have like none other. Enjoyed as always
Just love your approach James, always makes me laugh. I have nearly always used a zoom lens, I find primes very restrictive. I'm not in your league but I never procrastinate over a shot, I see something I like, adjust my zoom to what I like and take the shot, no thought apart from taking the image I'm seeing in my minds eye. Maybe I'm just not careful enough..... Cheers, keep up the good work.
When i started in film days with an old ae1 with a 50mm I bought a 24 and a 100mm lens to accompany it, and I hated carrying multiple lenses and changing them when I didnt have the focal length needed. I then switched to a Nikon autofocus body and bought a 28-70 f2.8 zoom after seeing how the pros really just needed a trio of 2.8 zooms from 17-300mm. That one 28-70 zoom stayed on my camera for years until I got my first Dslr, again with another zoom. This was before photography youtube channels making everyone second guess everything. I never thought about what specific focal length I was at unless it was getting dark and I needed to worry about my shutter speed. I would see a scene I wanted to photograph, zoom or not to get the desired framing (including moving with my feet) and then focus/expose. That zoom lens was a GODSEND for me, not a NIGHTMARE. Some of my favorite images even to this day were taken with just the one 28-70 on my Nikon, just grab the camera and go. I honestly think that the vast amount of youtube photography channels can be looked at as a nightmare for beginners because theyre looking for guidance and often getting confused by wildly differing answers to their questions or they get stuck with the same tropes that get passed along by people repeating bad information.
Complains about Rich's "constrained food choices" and in the same video suggests restrained use of zoom lenses. Hilarious ;-) To be honest, I often try to restrain my zoom usage to the printed in between stops, e.g. 18, 23, 35 or 55 on my Fuji 18-55mm lens. Just to have a better gut feeling of what to expect from the viewing angle. BTW, as for the math: 001 ... 999 plus 000 makes 1000 combinations, not just 999. And then one can always crop afterwards ... images, not suitcase combinations, of course ;-0
I completely agree with you. When I started properly getting into photography, a knowledgeable family member of mine recommend I get a prime. However, when I bought the lens I did not realise that it was a prime. For the first while, I hated it. But then I started getting into it and I am now so thankful that he recommended that lens to me. It forced me to search and work for my compositions. These days, I use a 24-70 primarily. I do miss the days of just using a prime but I do feel a zoom lens has helped me to get better photos. One of my favorite things to do when finding a composition is working out exactly what should and should not be in the frame. It's something that James has echoed in previous videos. The biggest challenge in photography (at least in my experience) is working out how to simplify a photo to make it look good. That's where zooms come in to my workflow. I work out what I want in my frame and choose a focal length based on that. If I want less in my frame so I can focus on my subject I use a larger focal length. If I want more in my frame then I zoom out. That's something I can't do with a single prime. But the temptation to just be lazy and stand in one spot and zoom without thinking about the consequences is massive. I've fallen into that trap more times than I would like to admit.
"Oh, James, thank you for enlightening us with your profound wisdom! Who would have thought that zoom lenses, a staple in photography for decades, could be so perplexing? I mean, it's not like they offer versatility and flexibility or anything. We're truly blessed to have your guidance in navigating the treacherous world of zoom lenses as beginners. Keep up the invaluable insights!"
Excellent analogy with the guitar and enlightening me on the combination of zooming with feet and or zoom but I do believe, math in public, a 4 wheel combo lock with 10 digits per wheel yields 10000 different combinations😁
You've pointed it out very nicely. I too feel myself often lost with zooms, like I have too many choices with no way to determine which is right to pick. To many variables in the expression so it's progressively hard to solve. That's why I most often find myself on the very ends of my zoom range :D
Its 6-30pm on a Friday evening and I'm half a bottle of red in, ill watch this again tomorrow, I'm bad at maths before I've opened a bottle, have a great weekend Popsy
For me it's: Zoom lens fitted: Camera settings locked in as soon as we get to the beach See dog Put camera to eye Zoom to desired framing Fire in burst mode if dog is running This takes about half a second. The Panasonic 14-140mm on a GH5 rocks!
what you say always is about new angles to things compared to many photograghy channels I follow, and the way you say it is like a nice friendly chat, and even the subtle jokes you make are just well balanced and natural :)
I love the means in which you explain your ideas and get your points across, the tangents such as the pin lock and guitar make all your explanations memorable 😁
You read my mind. I was thinking about this today. I now have a full set of Nikon prime lenes (vintage and second hand). They have completely changed and greatly improved my photography. Not because they're higher quality (they are) compared to my zooms. But because they have limited my options and made me more creative. I challenge myself more and as a result I've improved as a photographer.
I’m a beginner photographer and I chose to go with prime lenses for exactly this reason. I felt totally overwhelmed by having to think so much more using a zoom. I love how you use it and I’ll have a go using my kit lens❤
James: I didn't get much photography done, because of lack of good lighting. *Proceeds to show pics taking in what looks like harsh light. * Me: Each of those pictures is a keeper.
I've been doing photography for 48 years now. When I first started I used a 28mm and a 50 mm lens. That was with a Minolta SRT-202 back in 1978. I also used a 100-200mm zoom lens - at a time when zoom lenses were pretty bad. Today, zoom lenses are far better and I use them frequently. I do on occasion use a 50mm 1.8G. For my bird photography I use zoom lenses, because the birds don't always cooperate and stay in a fixed distance.
I love your photography videos as well as your photography. As a beginner I'm still striving to take just a couple shots that capture a scene as well as the ones on your website.
Thanks to the crop tool, you have the same problem with a prime as you have with a zoom. The basic difference is whether you are faced with the extra choices in the field or during post-processing.
With so many trips I can't wait to see the addition of vol. 4 to your photobook collection... Last December my partner found it really hard to find me some other gift ;)
I've personally always shot with a zoom lense, unless it's raining then I'm using a DJI Osmo Pocket I don't mind getting wet. But the way I've learned to think of compositions is I'll see what I want a photo of and visualize what I think it'll look good at, then zoom in or out to that level. It's also interesting to experiment with lense compression on certain shots as well
Primes are my favorite to shoot on because I find creativity through limitation. HOWEVER for travel you can't go wrong with a zoom for versatility. Taking my 14-30, 24-120, and 150-600 to Alaska in a few days and feel confident that I have everything I need to capture whatever I see.
James, I love your perspectives. I feel like I just sat through a calculus class in college. But weirdly I totally understood what you were saying. Great job
Liked the example of perspective change when using "zoom with your feet" advice. If you travel there are frequent times when it is impossible to do that. Shots from a bus or airplane, from a scenic overlook, going into a church, museum or other tight space after being outside. Shots from a bridge or inside a covered bridge. Shots from a narrow mountain footpath. Architectural details as opposed to the overview - that hell hound 40 feet up the side of the cathedral. An impromptu dance across the street. The list goes on and on.
I use mainly a 28 mm to 105 mm lens. When I employ Lightroom's metadata I find that the frequency of focal lengths prominently lies around four areas. Surprisingly, my favourite length is 28 mm and then a close second is 50 mm (49 mm actually). My other favourite length is 105 mm. For this lens, my eyes eliminate the majority of possible focal lengths when I am out in the field.
The thing about primes is that you generally get at least one stop more light, at that focal length, than you would with a zoom set to the same focal length (Unless you spend a lot more money). And i think light is the thing that gives the most creative flexibility.
I started with primes so the whole zooming with my feet was never something I dwelt on. Truthfully even though I mostly use zooms now I still on occasion move back and forth rather than adjust the zoom. At any rate another great vid James.
I just ordered a book from Saal Digital, I got a coupon from them and I wanted touse for my own photos, but I then changed my mind and decided to make into a family photobook, for my siblings and parents, I got about 50 pages. i was a lovely process; I made a drive folder where each would upload photos of themselves and others there. was the right call to make it a family book, we live in different places and a assembling a photo book made into a nice connecting gift for my parents. I can't wait to see it.
As a photojournalist, I use zooms for work and primes for fun. In fact, because of the environment in which I so often use zooms, they kind of give me anxiety. They allow me to curate a larger selection of images for a single event. But when I've got an afternoon to myself or time with family, I like the simplicity of a 26mm or a 50 or an 85. That and primes are far easier to use singlehandedly.
Always enjoy your insight on why these easy turns of phrase are rarely as true as they first sound. We'll work on your counting skills for future videos...
Thank god this isn't a math channel! "We have 999 choices but if we add a digit we multiply that tenfold getting 9999". So, first, it's 1000 choices and then 10000 (because of 000 and 0000) and also 999 x 10 would be 9990 not 9999. Making fun of your math aside, I really like the way you present this. I never really thought about it in terms of being overwhelmed by choices. Super interesting. Really nice photos :D
I'm sure no one cares, but I want to give a +1 to your sponsor Saal! Everything I've ordered from them has been great. A photo book and some single prints. Quick shipping to the USA and amazing quality ❤
Just I thought I'd mention, as someone who uses shallow depth of field for creative choice, with a prime you have much more freedom as it will allow the lens to open much wider 👌 and... zooming with your feet is not zooming... its moving... not the same thing at all... and you also have to deal with lens compression too when you're zooming in... anyway...love the videos, James! 👍
Great point about zooming with your feet. There are really two options when using primes and we ignore the more difficult one when using that comment. The other, to get a tighter shot but preserve the view, is to change lenses. That takes extra gear, a bit of time, and patience that, in a moment, may not be reasonable or could force a missed shot. I’m a mostly prime shooter, taking zooms only when going to unknown places with unexpected shots at any moment, and I feel the pain of not just carrying a couple zooms at times. It’s a choice for me, mostly about size and weight for convenience. However, it’s a trade off and one that has to be made consciously to avoid situations like the shot around the 4:00 mark. I want to use quality zooms, but most are larger than I want to carry. I feel like i could talk about this endlessly because it truly is a choice and a set of trade offs.
Hmm. If I use a 14-150 lens on a M43 camera, do I have 136 different focal lengths, or do I have to factor in that it is the equivalent of 28-300, so 272 focal lengths (or- horrors! - is my M43 zoom less smooth because it goes up in steps equivalent to 2mm on full frame?!). As always James, the overthinking is engaging and amusing (I half expected you to start trying to decide whether it is possible to shoot a moving tortoise with an arrow). I *think* I tend to use use zooms either as 'wide-angle', 'standard', or 'close as I need to pick out a detail', rather than sweating over whether I'm using 28 or 30 or 34, or 280 or 300mm. There can be a temptation to get lazy and stay in one place, but if you remember that it's changing the view point that changes the image, it's usually okay (you don't 'zoom with your feet' , you do something much better than that).
I think most people don't think of zooms like you do.... (most people are not trying to constrain themselves to 40-50mm). Personally I think to myself "what am I trying to achieve with this photo" and "how can I tell that story best with the tools I have". Focal length is just part of the options. If I want something small that is close to appear big - I go wide. If I want to compress depth I go long. If I want to make someone feel like they are right there - I go wide, and if I want to isolate subjects I go long. I think it is always important to ask "what can I achieve with the lens I am currently rocking" and then go from there. I do think that a "normal" focal length is an easy place to start (because you saw something that caught your eye.... and that aligns to a normal focal length), but I wouldn't limit myself to that (because how best to express that thing you saw can be entirely different). Anyways.... that got deep for a sec! Love the vids mate!
I am in a tiny minority that absolutely *haaaaates* the beginner advice to stick to primes at first. I tried that and hated it and immediately bought a zoom lens and finally found JOY in my camera.
Zooms are FUN. This is a factor that so much of so-called serious photography advice ignores. I spent my first year of photography running around with a travel zoom capturing all kinds of things near and far and loving every second of it. After a while, I had enough experience to become aware of the limitations of zoom lenses and the advantages of prime lenses and began using and appreciating the latter.
We all have cell phones nowadays and when we first buy a "serious" camera, it needs to offer something significantly better for the interest to stick. For me, that was the zoom lens. It made photography a lot more fun than with my cell phone. That's how I fell in love with photography.
When people start out, they just want and need to have fun. They don't need artificial limitations for the sake of pedagogy.
That plus as a beginner you get the possibility to try a bunch of different focal lengths and decide what primes to get if you want them later.
Agreed with you!
Hard agree with this. I started out with the gx80 and it's 24-70mm equivalent kit lens and I immediately went and purchased the 90 - 300mm equivalent zoom for a trip round SE Asia for 3 months. Having access to such a wide range meant that I could take pictures of whatever I wanted and I discovered an absolute love of portrait photography that I never would have got with just a 35mm or even the kit lens by itself. I've since swapped the kit and zoom for a superzoom 28-300 travel lens (which I love) and bought myself small fast primes for speiifc purposes that my superzoom can't quite do justice to - a 40mm for street, a 90mm for portraits, and I'm currently hunting for a wide angle for astro. So yes - get some zoom, have fun, and see what you enjoy shooting at / taking photos of. After that we can look at honing our craft
Couldn't agree more! My zoom lens enables me to think on my feet. If I had a prime I'd have no choice but to move on my feet😅
I haven't tried a prime yet, but I don't see myself giving up the flexibility a zoom lens gives me anytime soon.
Please bear with us, dinosaurs from the last century, whose first camera was a point and shoot and who went to large sensors in search of sharpness and large apertures.
James explaining photography concepts through random, seemingly unrelated examples has got to be the best part of these videos!
ye ye.
Just a little tiny observation: a lock with three wheel, each going from 0 to 9, has 1,000 combinations (000 is a combination), and if it has four wheels, then you have 10,000 possible combinations..
On other matters, I love zoom lenses because they allow me to capture details of faraway subjects that I can't get close to.
I was about to comment on this one 🙂
The event space is between 0 and 9, giving you 10 unique random variables that are mutually independent. Each wheel is independent, and each wheel must then exist in its own R+ dimension. Indexing each random variable to an integer, "0" maps to 0, "1" to 1, etc, we can safely assume (although it is already concretely in R) that the probability space lies in the R^3, uniquely for the three wheels probability. Then you can count all the possible events by multiplying the max number of events for wheels 1, 2 and 3 ie 10 x 10 x 10. Then, it is a similar process for any number of wheels.
I have a love-hate with zoom lenses and I own only one, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM and 8 prime lenses. If it is a stage concert (I volunteered several times to take photos during our uni annual party), I prefer the zoom lens as we are not allowed to go onto the stage. But if the events let me get closed and allow me to mingle around, I'd prefer to have Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM almost the entire time. But, I do usually have Sony FE 55mm F1.8 Zeiss the entire time, just in case.
Last week I was in Spain for a holiday and I just got Sony FE 24mm F2.8 G that I bought two weeks prior and I just fall in love with this lens. Street photography, group photos at a table in a restaurant, foods on the tables, individual plates, beaches and half-body portraits. It might not be the best, but it works most of the time. Perhaps because it is small and light.
I was about to comment this as well.
You mean tele lenses. There are Wide&Tele lenses, and Prime("Fixed")/Zoom lenses.
Zoom is with variable focal lenght (sometimes also variable apeture at different focals),
24-70mm would be a zoom lens
24mm is wide-end, 70mm is tele-end.
50mm lens is a fixed, considered tele lens.
≤24mm is ultra wide
24-35mm is wide
35-200mm is tele
≥200mm is super tele
(These are half my assumptions, some have other definitions as well)
him saying "if i got the maths right" when he was wrong was just bait for us to comment and increase engagement and we fell for it.
@halimrahman this is what I came here for, and didn't watch the rest of the video until I found the right answer 😅
Indeed, he made the classic "off by one error" software developers know all too well.
FINALLY somebody addresses the problem with “zooming with your feet”. It’s almost never that parallax from “zooming with your feet” won’t ruin a composition you want to simply tighten into without shifting the components of your image. This is where zoom lenses are superior. Prime lenses are great for portability, low light, and intention. Knowing you have a specific focal length on your camera to shoot a certain way (for example, 35mm for environmental subject photography, or 16mm for establishing shots), it allows for less distraction and laziness from just zooming your lens when you may actually want to shift your composition around without realizing it. You can of course do this with zooms too, but you must stay mindful of that before turning the barrel.
Also your point in a zoom lens offering a wider variety of options muddying up your workflow is SO relatable. I love how with a prime lens I can just walk away from a scene in little time because I only have so much I can capture, and limitations breed creativity, but with my zoom lenses I tend to stay there so much longer just looking for shots using every focal length printed on that lenses barrel.
In conclusion I have yet to decide on wether I want to shoot all zoom or all prime, and for now I have a mix of both because they are apples to oranges indeed. I think your fail-safe mentality with zooms is a great way to use them, and a way I’ll try to use my tiny prime-sized Sigma 18-50mm 2.8 myself.
Calm down
@@plusgood15 huh?
Fujifilm gang
@@mgegibson yessiirrrrr
Get a high resolution sensor camera and just crop in during post.
Came for the lens discussion, stayed for the far-reaching analogies.
Great as always, James.
So close. 0-9 has 10 values as zero is its own distinct option, so 999 has 1000 options. I bought my camera with a 28-70mm kit lens and bought a 50mm prime later for the sweet, sweet bokeh. I forced myself to take all my pictures with the 50mm so I can learn the techniques for composition. One of the few times I've felt like a zoom lens would be better for me is when I've taken photos at a crowded event and not been able to move back far enough to get people in frame.
Thx. You beat me to it.
Yes, this is right. We start from 000 not 001
And on a related note, the 100-400mm lens would have 301 focal lengths by mm ;)
If you happened to have a suitcase with a 3 digit combination lock that was missing the number zero - there would be 729 possible numbers.
There are 10 types of people.... People that get it and people that dont.
My own advice about zooms is to leave the camera in the bag. Find your shot with your eyes - decide what you want to include and what orientation, then get the camera out and adjust to zoom to fit your vision. Otherwise I just 'see through the camera' and spend a lot longer fiddling about rather than just deciding what the composition is with my eyes, then using a camera to get it.
It's a very good advice, but not exclusive to zooms.
Excellent advice 🤗
Your birds in flight photos must have a low keeper rate 😂
@@tonyblake8841 "Your birds in flight photos must have a low keeper rate"
You beat me to it.
Said no wildlife photographer ever haha
I'm a zoom fan, yes I have primes too but when traveling especially there are times and places I can't 'zoom' with my feet and/or I don't want to encroach on a stranger's space. Not to mention, having multiple focal lengths in my hands and less weight to carry all day is a major convenience. I gave up being a purist with primes and all the snobbery that went with it (at least for me) and have embraced my zooms.
I think you can easily use both. Find a motive, move as far as possible until it looks good, then use the zoom to get as much as you want on the picture. And additionally maybe zoom a bit out for further changes on clipping or if you need portrait instead of landscape or vice versa.
With film it was even more important because most of the time you needed to fill a slide exactly as you wanted it because you nearly couldn't change anything afterwards (especially with a projector). I just tried a new camera (with zoom) in the city and found several motives. I also took a SLR with film and a 50mm. There were lots of motives which just couldn't work because you are limited on position. And even if you can move there often will be other obstacles get in you way.
@@reinhard8053 agreed completely with you. Obstacles absolutely exist and get in the way of getting closer to your subject. Thus zoom lens...
As long as you have got only 1 or 2 primes, yes, the choices and decision about focal length is easier than a zoom. But once you got a lot of primes like 24, 28, 35, 50mm your decision process which focal length to take (decide either at home which lens to put in your bag or when carrying all of them around) isn't really much easier but much more cumbersome if you want to check different focal lengths before taking the shot!
Exactly
I personally always go for zoom’s because i don’t have the funds to be buying 4 quality prime lenses vs 1 quality zoom lens
Agreed!
Not to mention the inconvenience of having to carry around so many prime lenses. 1 zoom and 1 prime could be more than sufficient though
Its about the same price, depending on which prime lenses youre thinking of.
One quality f2.8 is hella expensive. But you can zoom
4 primes likewise adds up, but you have to change the lenses.
I would say a mix between zooms and primes is good.
You don't need 4 primes, 2 is plenty
I love that you say the island had not great photo options and then proceed to take a photo better than anyone I have ever taken. Great video.
So far. And don’t forget we are our own harshest critic so you may have more gems than you think
I love how James is able to humanize his craft by putting himself in the shoes of a viewer that’s more than likely not as successful as he is. When I watch these videos I feel like a friend is talking to me and not a seasoned veteran (I mean that in the best way possible). Thanks for staying humble James!
I think "down to earth" is the term you're looking for :)
@@RonanAquilius ahah well yeah that’d summarize the long version perfectly!
The Canon 28-70mm f2 has been a game-changer for me. It's attached to my camera 90% of the time, taking the place of a few primes for most use cases.
excuse me, 28-70 f/2? WOW, I had no idea those existed. Not with Nikon it doesn't, sadly
I use a vivitar 28-75 on my Canon A-1
Yeah, the 28-70 is a beast! Best lens I've ever purchased!
Yes, yes! Couldn’t feel more similar about zooms/primes. Seems ridiculous but using a zoom as a secondary option simplifies everything massively
0000 is also an option, so you have 10,000 options. That aside, I really appreciated the zoom vs "zoom with our feet" illustration. I'll have to dust off the zoom!
And then there is the additional option to use a TSA key instead of bothering to fiddle around with those dials... 😜
For me the main reason to have a zoom lens (16-70 f4) is that I sometimes just want to take 1 lens with me without having to compromise on the possible compositions. Sure, I compromise on the aperture compared to my 30mm f1.4 or a 85mm f1.8 but most of the time thats not the main concern. Often my main concern is weight and portability. I dont want to carry an extra backpack just for lenses if I am going for a walk. And always sticking with one prime doenst work forever I believe. At some point you start seeing so many great shots that would benefit from a slightly different focal length.
as a concert photographer who started off with only a prime lens, it was an absolute ballache of a learning curve and i had to work so much harder than those around me to get 'the' shot. however, i wouldn't have had it anyother way; i learnt some really useful discipline while also developing my eye for composition at (what felt like) an accelerated rate. but with that said, i only ever use a zoom lens now and i love it
How are you able to make money doing that?
I shoot for one band, and I am not constrained to a pit or three songs. I can shoot entire shows, and from anywhere. That said, I am still bound by the layout of venue and the stage wings (or lack thereof). My most used lens is a 100-400, followed by the first lens I ever bought, a 24-105. Last is a 14-24. I also use 70-200, but the 100-400 has mostly replaced that. I have been wanting to add a prime or two, not for the focal length, but for the stop or three of extra light.
The thing I realized when I got a 24-70, is that if I'm not shooting 24 or 70, I'm almost always somewhere between 35mm and 40mm. So I ended up buying a 35mm lens and use it most of the time. (and additionally, I use an X100 more than my mirrorless camera, probably for the same reason)
I find the value of zooms to be more important on the long end of things. I shoot auto racing and team sports. 70-200 gives me a lot of useful focal lengths. 100-400 even more so.
I feel like i'm listening to a 5 year old tell me a story, and somehow i'm understanding every single bit of it while understanding none of it.
Job well done James!
As a documentary & portrait photographer.... i couldn't care less about primes... i need a 24-70 & 70-200 and everything else can go away... primes are great if you're in a studio and everything is predictable... i got my Leica 24-90& 90-280 and wouldn't trade them for any primes
Primes were never really all that popular with pros on DSLR, but in the last decade or so since people think they need the shallowest depth of field to take pictures primes have become increasingly popular, i hate them... best example is the Fuji 50 f1... it's big and heavy and just incredibly inconvenient... i want my life to be easy no hard... My advice for beginners is use that Kit lens, they're absolutely amazing these days
Also.... there's 1000 options 000 is an option aswell
You know what would solve the problem? Clicks on the zoom ring. Some will instantly get it. Others will ask, "what's the point?"
Part of the problem with zooms is there's no real reason nor indicator for shooting at any given focal length, which for a lot of shooters, is a part of what defines their signature or at least their intent when they go out to shoot. Presumably, at least some of those shooters use zooms like primes: they set the focal length and move to compose appropriately.
Zooms have opened up a new world for those of us that are less able and do not have the option of zooming with our feet. Great video thank you .
A year ago i started using specific focal lengths on my standard zoom to learn their different perspectives and later on different focal lengths for their specific perspective, it really helped my creative process and got me creatively un-stuck again.
I think what you want to say in this video is: "Don't forget that you still have the option to walk forward and backward when you have a zoom lens!" This way you can put a beautiful mountain or whatever into or out of view. The zoom function can glue photographers to the ground. Thanks for this eye opening video! 👍
The One Handed Southpaw Newbie Photographer here James. Love the channel! So very glad your out there. I think I most enjoy your approach to explaining your personal view of photography and your photos of course. Inevitably I come away with a better, deeper understanding of things like: concepts, this gear versus that gear; why do this not that. Love the dialogue. Love the stream of consciousness and your awareness of your surroundings. I'm quite glad I'm a Johnny come lately, because there is so much I want to learn and your a part of my library. My almost daily walks with my camera are now more intentional, focused and enjoyable. I really don't care if anyone ever sees my photos because that is not the point. As they say, It's the journey I'm into. All the best. Regards from Nova Scotia. Thank you for sharing.
I will never get tired of your random interjections that have seemingly nothing to do with the topic at hand. It manages to keep videos interesting and engaging, top notch humor and great video as always!
Interesting to see zoom lenses positioned as the more advanced, more difficult option. I think more often you see zoom lenses associated with beginners. Honestly this video made me wanna use zoom lenses and master the difficulty.
Always when I'm out with my midrange zoom I'm finding shots where I'm thinking: "Man, so glad I have this zoom, I wouldn't be able to get this nice shot without it!". Only to get home and realise they're all crap. Yes, I'm missing shots when I'm out with my 28mm or my 50mm. But I'm way more focussed and the shots I do get just seem to come out better more often than not.
Restrictions often make the best art. Really gets you thinking outside the box :)
I don't think it's a good idea to start photography with restrictions, which is why I reject the advice to start with prime lenses. Start with a zoom lens and have fun. Over time you will learn the value of prime lenses and restrictions. But a beginner should be free.
I think people automatically import into photography this ethos that austerity/restrictions are good for beginners, without absolutely any evidence that this is in fact true.
I think restrictions only force creativity once one has become comfortable in the craft. And the best way to be comfortable is to have unrestricted fun. Use that zoom. Shoot all kinds of things as a beginner. Little by little, over time, you will start appreciating the value of restrictions and start using prime lenses, film, etc.
But for a beginner, forget all that. Get a zoom and lens and go out and enjoy yourself. Capture beautiful images that bring you joy without regard for artificial restraints.
@@WarKrieg as a beginner i loved shooting on a prime and got tired of zooms quickly. guess everyone works a little different
i think “zoom with you feet” is never meant to be taken literally… it means “don’t just stand there, interact with your environment”
I truly enjoy your take on zoom lenses. For years I've been told by many other photographers to "move your feet and get closer" as opposed to zooming. Now you've brought my main argument against that school of thought to light. For this I thank you!!
I think there are cases for both. I found that as a beginner with not a lot of cash, a cheap prime was a great way to get some quality glass on my camera. But then when it comes to work, I would say that my 24-70 is by far my most used lens. It’s just so useful when you need to be fast and get shots on the go. But then again it’s much more expensive. So I think there is many reasons for both primes and zooms, all depends on what you need 😊
Great video and nice photos James. Looking forward to the next one!
The price factor is real. When I was in photojournalism school we all bought 50s because they were cheap and, with cheap cameras with bad high ISO performance, we often needed the wide apertures. Once we had nicer cameras and could afford good glass we started caring 24-70/2.8s and the primes became more niche tools.
Oh my god... I started my photo journey with 50mm f/1.8 and after that slowly I grew my lens collection with primes only: 85mm 1.8, 135mm 2.8, 35mm 1.8 and I always wanted to have zoom lens. Finally, after almost 8 years I bought 70-200mm f/2.8 AAAAAAAND.... I was so disappointed. I thought that it will be so versatile, that now the land of opportunity opened for me, no more missed shots, perfect composition every time. Oh how wrong was I.
Thank You for this video because I can agree with every word in it. I thought that there is something wrong with me that I just cannot use zoom lens properly. "Limiting yourself" is actually more creative, it is forcing you to find this perfect composition with every inch of your body. You just have to start feel the place around You.
I will keep this 70-200 because I will be shooting with it only with fixed focal like 135 or 200mm because - same as You and for other reasons like sport/event photography.
I’ve been a fan of this channel since I started my first year in college. I find the subject you talk about easy to understand and often times similar to how I feel about photography. Each week I look forward to your videos and can’t wait to see how this channel continues to grow. Also I hope anyone reading this has a lovely day.😊
So glad to see someone actually address the problem with zooming with your feet: your feet are what controls perspective, and using them to zoom will create fundamentally different images. I think there's perhaps value in having a beginner stick to a prime precisely because it forces them to observe how position impacts the composition, and gets them out of the trap of standing wherever they end up and composing by zoom, but it shouldn't be dogmatically pushed on them as the only proper way to learn.
And for many it's just a learning tool, not something they should commit to for an extended period, and that's why the advice to buy a prime, and ignoring the possibility to simply use a zoom like a prime, is often impractical and a bad use of funds. Better to have a beginner commit to a focal length on a zoom, experiment with others when they realize a choice won't work, and get experience with multiple focal lengths before committing to one in a prime.
I'm an exclusively prime shooter myself, but I think the advice pushing beginners towards primes often gets a little out of hand. Maybe a prime will be perfect for them, maybe it'll harm their development to be stuck with it-either way they should get some experience with multiple focal lengths rather than investing in just one before they're qualified to know if it's right for them.
Having recently picked up film photography after acquiring my uncle's film camera and lens collection this was my exact reasoning for just grabbing the 50mm and sticking with it. In comparison to my digital camera where I'd shoot aperture priority with autofocus, going to completely manual was definitely a step up so to make the whole process easier my first thought was to remove the need to think about focal length. So far it's been great and I don't see the need to pick up any other lens for the foreseeable future.
I have a few thoughts on this
1) since I got a mirrorless camera I find that a lot more dust gets in compared to my DSLR, so changing lenses has become a more dangerous operation
2) I definitely had been thinking out this exact thing - that having a zoom makes me more lazy. You said it perfectly with the phrase muddies the water.
3) If you know what you want to say with your picture the range of options narrows down quickly. Yes, saying to somebody to get fixed focal length is good, but with one focal length they will never understand why I'm running away from the subject and zooming in rather than staying where I am and zooming out.
I was shooting a concert yesterday (just for fun, not hired) and I had a fixed 20mm on, and a three of my friends waved at me from their table to take their picture, I snapped it on the 20mm because I was lazy to change lenses plus they didn't feel like moving closer together, and of course the picture came out bad. Had I had a zoom on, I would step back and zoom in.
Your analogies have a way of hooking me in, making me laugh and almost losing me, then making sense. Great video, James!
I only carry two lenses, I carry two primes, the 24mm EF-s is always on my camera for my home town documentary photography project and spontaneous street in the city, my 50mm is for when i specifically ask for a portrait where i want compression and separation, the 24mm covers everything else that I do (Documentary stills, street, architecture, and travel).
It all depends on what type of photography you do, if you're doin' a job for someone or if you're doin' it for your shop or for yourself. Having "barriers" is always helpful for the creativity, but when you have a goal to reach because the guy who is paying you is asking you to give him, idk, 5 photos of his students playing the instruments (for example) or if you're shooting sport, having a zoom and using that zoom is vital.
Watching James has really helped me enjoy photography more and get better at it. His advice of sticking to one lens on a day of shooting really makes you look for a photo opportunity and think about the composition more, without the panic of swapping lenses constantly and finding you've missed a shot from all the faffing around. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Thanks, James.
I use zoom more or less as a “live cropping tool”, i.e. I don't think too much about the actual focal length while shooting, but concentrate instead on getting the composition I want (which still involves moving around to get the right angle). Tons better than cropping in post! The Nikkor 18-140mm (~27-210mm) is my go-to, like 95% of the time with my D7200. Yes, it's a budget solution; yes, it's a hobby; no, I haven't sold any… yet? But it's decent quality for the cost and convenience. Also I'm lazy, so my feet don't zoom very well. If I want the fixed focal length challenge I do also have a 35mm (~50mm), which can be really nice some times, and it sets a whole different mood for the shooting process. This all said, I do most of my shooting “from the hip”, picking subjects as they appear. This doesn't allow for much planning, focal length wise, so the zoom is essential.
I only have two zooms... a long one...because I cannot justify dropping over ten grand for one lens. The other is the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8...because it's an f/1.8.
Thing is...all of my images have the same 'look' with the zooms. That can be a plus for some. You can change the focal length...but it's the same lens...and is going to have the same look.
Having primes...gives me...'flavors'...it also gives me a bit more DOF options.
I do think everyone needs at least one zoom...but I personally only use it on occasion...so it keeps its' 'flavor'.
I am a beginner photographer and use prime lenses because I shoot a lot in difficult light conditions without flash. If I were shooting under normal conditions most of the time, I would use zoom lenses because today in the age of phones there is no one who can differentiate between the photos especially after they have been edited.
It’s 1,000 combinations. 000 is included
Great video!
wanted to point it out as well ^^
Hey James new to the channel!
I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on this topic, as a video first person, this reminded me when I first started going down the visual journey.
If as a new Photographer/Videographer you find yourself not know what to shoot because of the endless options, what focal lengths to shoot, what composition, aperture, iso, etc. Limit your options! Limiting your options may sound like a bad thing when you're first beginning, but ironically the process of limiting yourself helps you refine your thought process on an individual factor, allowing oneself to practice more of that skill.
For example most of us could can communicate, but we didn't start with telling our life stories. We started with learning the sounds of each alphabet, practice writing out each individual letter, putting letter together to form words, Learning what the formed words meant. Putting words into a sentence, putting sentences to form a paragraph. You get the point.
So, I like to refer to the concept as the three C's, Constraints Creates Creativity. Similar to how back in English class the teacher gave us a topic to write about because they knew that most of the students wouldn't even know where to start.
Thanks for the video James!
This is a reason I’m enjoying the Tamron 20-40. It’s a small(ish), limited zoom that I can use at 40mm, zooming out only when I need the extra real estate for my composition…which is often with a toddler.
such an underrated lens!
Wow, James, your ability to seamlessly transition from ambulances to guitars in a photography video is truly remarkable! Can't wait to see what noises you'll bring us in the next video!
This is exactly how I use zoom lenses. Cut down option paralysis by sticking to the common focal lengths, and pick my preferred focal length for the scene. Might take more trial and error than using a zoom the 'lazy' way but imo this gives some of the benefits of using a prime lens while still having the versatility of a zoom. Great video and discussion, James!
As mentioned in the video zooms give you options. Options equal flexibility. For the opportunistic photographers like myself, flexibility is critical.
Sure, the options can be overwhelming if you dwell on them too much. I prefer to look at the scene, decide on a composition and then make it work. You move, you walk, you change position and you zoom to get the composition you want. Simple.
I fell for the purist street photography mantra of carrying a single prime and making it work. Went so far as to buy a Fuji X100v (fixed 35mm equivalent lens). It is an excellent and very cool (for the hipster doofus in all of us) camera and I got lots of great images on my last trip to Italy. But I also saw, but was unable to capture, a lot of other great images due to the inflexibility. A small camera or a typical DSLR with a small prime can be a pleasure to carry. However, for me the gigantic ponderous 24-70 f2.8 is going to be my go-to most of the time.
This is why I do the old Call of Duty side arm set up. 1 camera for variety, 1 camera for specialty.
An example would be: GRIIIX for that 40mm and then a zoom on the main camera. No image quality compromises.
Or flip that around: 35mm on the main camera, and a little RX100 in the pocket for the occasional need to go wider/closer. Some image quality compromises, but the RX100 will do great video.
This helps if you have generally small gear though. So you don't feel kitted out like a bellend and kicked out of places for looking like press without a pass.
I recognized Croatia on first clip. Hope you had a great time, Brač is my favorite Island and summer destination for last 20 years. Thank you James!!
Late to this party, and probably first time to this channel. Two quick points. First, it never fails that different genres, boiled down to their basics, are very much alike. In dance, when more people are having difficulty with slightly more complex choreography, it's helpful to have them go back to the basic roots of the movement, and understand those first. Second, I enjoyed your discussion on PRIMEs vs. ZOOMs, and in sum, agree. That said, for action or sports photographers, shooting at only one focal length is possible, but means lots of missed moments and potential shots. I know you meant this in a general way. You did say, that only when you couldn't get the shot at a focal length, you engaged the zoom. However, most sports photographers I know live with their hand on a zoom ring these day. Thanks for a thoughtful and uncommon look at this topic on RUclips. From your comments and views, you do not need my well wishes. Lovely work.
Being new into photography and already obsessed with it, I'm really glad the algorithm showed me your channel James!
Really helpful advice for a newby like me
I think what you’re getting at is how easy it is with a zoom to try and solve your composition problems by just zooming in or out, rather than thinking creatively on how to best frame the shot.
Try this: when you get home from a shoot with a zoom lens, check the whole batch in lightroom, it can filter photos by focal length. 90% of the photos are on the shortest or the longest focal length with very little in between for me.
That's good advice for anyone starting out, and I think James himself did just that in another video and found he favoured 35 to 50mm.
How is no-one talking about the AWSOME camera / DSLR lamp in the back! :O
Tons of opinions in here, and none are wrong. In the end people need to do whatever gets them out shooting photos. Thanks for all the work you put into these videos James.
The ability to captivate whilst seemingly rambling nonsense (that USUALLY makes sense in the end) is a skill you have like none other. Enjoyed as always
Just love your approach James, always makes me laugh. I have nearly always used a zoom lens, I find primes very restrictive. I'm not in your league but I never procrastinate over a shot, I see something I like, adjust my zoom to what I like and take the shot, no thought apart from taking the image I'm seeing in my minds eye. Maybe I'm just not careful enough..... Cheers, keep up the good work.
When i started in film days with an old ae1 with a 50mm I bought a 24 and a 100mm lens to accompany it, and I hated carrying multiple lenses and changing them when I didnt have the focal length needed. I then switched to a Nikon autofocus body and bought a 28-70 f2.8 zoom after seeing how the pros really just needed a trio of 2.8 zooms from 17-300mm. That one 28-70 zoom stayed on my camera for years until I got my first Dslr, again with another zoom. This was before photography youtube channels making everyone second guess everything. I never thought about what specific focal length I was at unless it was getting dark and I needed to worry about my shutter speed. I would see a scene I wanted to photograph, zoom or not to get the desired framing (including moving with my feet) and then focus/expose. That zoom lens was a GODSEND for me, not a NIGHTMARE. Some of my favorite images even to this day were taken with just the one 28-70 on my Nikon, just grab the camera and go. I honestly think that the vast amount of youtube photography channels can be looked at as a nightmare for beginners because theyre looking for guidance and often getting confused by wildly differing answers to their questions or they get stuck with the same tropes that get passed along by people repeating bad information.
Always love hearing your thoughts, all the random tangents and spontaneous background events included
Complains about Rich's "constrained food choices" and in the same video suggests restrained use of zoom lenses. Hilarious ;-) To be honest, I often try to restrain my zoom usage to the printed in between stops, e.g. 18, 23, 35 or 55 on my Fuji 18-55mm lens. Just to have a better gut feeling of what to expect from the viewing angle. BTW, as for the math: 001 ... 999 plus 000 makes 1000 combinations, not just 999. And then one can always crop afterwards ... images, not suitcase combinations, of course ;-0
I completely agree with you. When I started properly getting into photography, a knowledgeable family member of mine recommend I get a prime. However, when I bought the lens I did not realise that it was a prime. For the first while, I hated it. But then I started getting into it and I am now so thankful that he recommended that lens to me. It forced me to search and work for my compositions.
These days, I use a 24-70 primarily. I do miss the days of just using a prime but I do feel a zoom lens has helped me to get better photos. One of my favorite things to do when finding a composition is working out exactly what should and should not be in the frame. It's something that James has echoed in previous videos. The biggest challenge in photography (at least in my experience) is working out how to simplify a photo to make it look good. That's where zooms come in to my workflow. I work out what I want in my frame and choose a focal length based on that. If I want less in my frame so I can focus on my subject I use a larger focal length. If I want more in my frame then I zoom out. That's something I can't do with a single prime.
But the temptation to just be lazy and stand in one spot and zoom without thinking about the consequences is massive. I've fallen into that trap more times than I would like to admit.
"Oh, James, thank you for enlightening us with your profound wisdom! Who would have thought that zoom lenses, a staple in photography for decades, could be so perplexing? I mean, it's not like they offer versatility and flexibility or anything. We're truly blessed to have your guidance in navigating the treacherous world of zoom lenses as beginners. Keep up the invaluable insights!"
Excellent analogy with the guitar and enlightening me on the combination of zooming with feet and or zoom but I do believe, math in public, a 4 wheel combo lock with 10 digits per wheel yields 10000 different combinations😁
You've pointed it out very nicely. I too feel myself often lost with zooms, like I have too many choices with no way to determine which is right to pick. To many variables in the expression so it's progressively hard to solve.
That's why I most often find myself on the very ends of my zoom range :D
Its 6-30pm on a Friday evening and I'm half a bottle of red in, ill watch this again tomorrow, I'm bad at maths before I've opened a bottle, have a great weekend Popsy
Totally agree James 👍
Typical scenario for me:
Prime lens on - let's go!
Initial composition ✅
Decide depth of field ✅
Exposure ✅
Check composition again and click!
Zoom lens fitted:
Composition - erm...
Choose appropriate focal length - erm...
Depth of field - erm...
Exposure...
Change focal length
Change focal length
Erm... 🤔🤔🤷♂️
For me it's:
Zoom lens fitted:
Camera settings locked in as soon as we get to the beach
See dog
Put camera to eye
Zoom to desired framing
Fire in burst mode if dog is running
This takes about half a second.
The Panasonic 14-140mm on a GH5 rocks!
what you say always is about new angles to things compared to many photograghy channels I follow, and the way you say it is like a nice friendly chat, and even the subtle jokes you make are just well balanced and natural :)
I love the means in which you explain your ideas and get your points across, the tangents such as the pin lock and guitar make all your explanations memorable 😁
You read my mind. I was thinking about this today. I now have a full set of Nikon prime lenes (vintage and second hand). They have completely changed and greatly improved my photography. Not because they're higher quality (they are) compared to my zooms. But because they have limited my options and made me more creative. I challenge myself more and as a result I've improved as a photographer.
I’m a beginner photographer and I chose to go with prime lenses for exactly this reason. I felt totally overwhelmed by having to think so much more using a zoom. I love how you use it and I’ll have a go using my kit lens❤
James: I didn't get much photography done, because of lack of good lighting.
*Proceeds to show pics taking in what looks like harsh light. *
Me: Each of those pictures is a keeper.
I've been doing photography for 48 years now. When I first started I used a 28mm and a 50 mm lens. That was with a Minolta SRT-202 back in 1978. I also used a 100-200mm zoom lens - at a time when zoom lenses were pretty bad. Today, zoom lenses are far better and I use them frequently. I do on occasion use a 50mm 1.8G. For my bird photography I use zoom lenses, because the birds don't always cooperate and stay in a fixed distance.
I've always shot primes (28, 35, 50, 85), but picked up a 24-70 late last year. Think I might sell the zoom to be honest.
I love your photography videos as well as your photography. As a beginner I'm still striving to take just a couple shots that capture a scene as well as the ones on your website.
Still waiting patiently for James Popsys Vol. 4, the next masterpiece in my photobook collection.
Love James joke deliveries and the random guitar comparisons. Never fails to crack me up!
Thanks to the crop tool, you have the same problem with a prime as you have with a zoom. The basic difference is whether you are faced with the extra choices in the field or during post-processing.
With so many trips I can't wait to see the addition of vol. 4 to your photobook collection... Last December my partner found it really hard to find me some other gift ;)
I've personally always shot with a zoom lense, unless it's raining then I'm using a DJI Osmo Pocket I don't mind getting wet. But the way I've learned to think of compositions is I'll see what I want a photo of and visualize what I think it'll look good at, then zoom in or out to that level. It's also interesting to experiment with lense compression on certain shots as well
Tried zooming with my feet but remembered I’m paraplegic.
Primes are my favorite to shoot on because I find creativity through limitation. HOWEVER for travel you can't go wrong with a zoom for versatility. Taking my 14-30, 24-120, and 150-600 to Alaska in a few days and feel confident that I have everything I need to capture whatever I see.
Big fan of your content!! You always go on such nice jurneys and show of the best of landscape photography!
James, I love your perspectives. I feel like I just sat through a calculus class in college. But weirdly I totally understood what you were saying. Great job
Liked the example of perspective change when using "zoom with your feet" advice. If you travel there are frequent times when it is impossible to do that. Shots from a bus or airplane, from a scenic overlook, going into a church, museum or other tight space after being outside. Shots from a bridge or inside a covered bridge. Shots from a narrow mountain footpath. Architectural details as opposed to the overview - that hell hound 40 feet up the side of the cathedral. An impromptu dance across the street. The list goes on and on.
I use mainly a 28 mm to 105 mm lens. When I employ Lightroom's metadata I find that the frequency of focal lengths prominently lies around four areas. Surprisingly, my favourite length is 28 mm and then a close second is 50 mm (49 mm actually). My other favourite length is 105 mm. For this lens, my eyes eliminate the majority of possible focal lengths when I am out in the field.
The thing about primes is that you generally get at least one stop more light, at that focal length, than you would with a zoom set to the same focal length (Unless you spend a lot more money). And i think light is the thing that gives the most creative flexibility.
You could just bump your iso up or increase exposure in post
@@semahj You're introducing noise then you do that.
@@QuicknStraight I guess but one stop of noise isn't going to make or break a photo. I also said you up the exposure in post
@@semahj None of that changes the fact that primes are generally of better optical quality than zooms...
@@QuicknStraight not really my Ef 24-70 mk2 is as sharp as primes lol
I started with primes so the whole zooming with my feet was never something I dwelt on. Truthfully even though I mostly use zooms now I still on occasion move back and forth rather than adjust the zoom.
At any rate another great vid James.
I just ordered a book from Saal Digital, I got a coupon from them and I wanted touse for my own photos, but I then changed my mind and decided to make into a family photobook, for my siblings and parents, I got about 50 pages. i was a lovely process; I made a drive folder where each would upload photos of themselves and others there. was the right call to make it a family book, we live in different places and a assembling a photo book made into a nice connecting gift for my parents. I can't wait to see it.
As a photojournalist, I use zooms for work and primes for fun. In fact, because of the environment in which I so often use zooms, they kind of give me anxiety. They allow me to curate a larger selection of images for a single event. But when I've got an afternoon to myself or time with family, I like the simplicity of a 26mm or a 50 or an 85. That and primes are far easier to use singlehandedly.
Always enjoy your insight on why these easy turns of phrase are rarely as true as they first sound. We'll work on your counting skills for future videos...
Thank god this isn't a math channel! "We have 999 choices but if we add a digit we multiply that tenfold getting 9999". So, first, it's 1000 choices and then 10000 (because of 000 and 0000) and also 999 x 10 would be 9990 not 9999.
Making fun of your math aside, I really like the way you present this. I never really thought about it in terms of being overwhelmed by choices. Super interesting. Really nice photos :D
If it wasn't by James thinking outloud, stopping for a second, and saying 'it doesn't matter' I wouldn't like his videos that much!
I'm sure no one cares, but I want to give a +1 to your sponsor Saal! Everything I've ordered from them has been great. A photo book and some single prints. Quick shipping to the USA and amazing quality ❤
Just I thought I'd mention, as someone who uses shallow depth of field for creative choice, with a prime you have much more freedom as it will allow the lens to open much wider 👌 and... zooming with your feet is not zooming... its moving... not the same thing at all... and you also have to deal with lens compression too when you're zooming in... anyway...love the videos, James! 👍
I can get shallow DOF with my zoom lens. Aperture isn't the only factor: you can use distance or focal length to reduce or enlarge your DOF.
Great point about zooming with your feet. There are really two options when using primes and we ignore the more difficult one when using that comment. The other, to get a tighter shot but preserve the view, is to change lenses. That takes extra gear, a bit of time, and patience that, in a moment, may not be reasonable or could force a missed shot. I’m a mostly prime shooter, taking zooms only when going to unknown places with unexpected shots at any moment, and I feel the pain of not just carrying a couple zooms at times. It’s a choice for me, mostly about size and weight for convenience. However, it’s a trade off and one that has to be made consciously to avoid situations like the shot around the 4:00 mark. I want to use quality zooms, but most are larger than I want to carry. I feel like i could talk about this endlessly because it truly is a choice and a set of trade offs.
Hmm. If I use a 14-150 lens on a M43 camera, do I have 136 different focal lengths, or do I have to factor in that it is the equivalent of 28-300, so 272 focal lengths (or- horrors! - is my M43 zoom less smooth because it goes up in steps equivalent to 2mm on full frame?!).
As always James, the overthinking is engaging and amusing (I half expected you to start trying to decide whether it is possible to shoot a moving tortoise with an arrow).
I *think* I tend to use use zooms either as 'wide-angle', 'standard', or 'close as I need to pick out a detail', rather than sweating over whether I'm using 28 or 30 or 34, or 280 or 300mm. There can be a temptation to get lazy and stay in one place, but if you remember that it's changing the view point that changes the image, it's usually okay (you don't 'zoom with your feet' , you do something much better than that).
I think most people don't think of zooms like you do.... (most people are not trying to constrain themselves to 40-50mm). Personally I think to myself "what am I trying to achieve with this photo" and "how can I tell that story best with the tools I have". Focal length is just part of the options. If I want something small that is close to appear big - I go wide. If I want to compress depth I go long. If I want to make someone feel like they are right there - I go wide, and if I want to isolate subjects I go long. I think it is always important to ask "what can I achieve with the lens I am currently rocking" and then go from there. I do think that a "normal" focal length is an easy place to start (because you saw something that caught your eye.... and that aligns to a normal focal length), but I wouldn't limit myself to that (because how best to express that thing you saw can be entirely different). Anyways.... that got deep for a sec! Love the vids mate!