I recently wrote about my fondness for the 35mm focal length and preference for prime (non-zooming) lenses. It was that post plus the release of two new, compact, f2.8 zoom lenses that has caused me to reconsider using them again.
There are several reasons to prefer fixed lenses. For starters they are generally sharper, faster (let more light in), and smaller than their zooming counterparts. The biggest reason, however, is actually their limitation. By not being able to change focal lengths with the twist of the wrist it forces you to look at things in ways you might otherwise have never considered. I've frequently discovered compositions by simply panning around and looking through the viewfinder or at the screen (or ground glass in my view camera days). If you want to bring something closer you either have to physically move closer or take the time to change lenses. After enough practice it's also easy to visualize how a certain scene is going to look with a given lens. However, I typically try to avoid that unless I'm in a hurry as I can usually discover something better than I initially imagined.
I've found that when using a zoom lens many beginners, myself included, tend to remain stationary and simply zoom in to fill the frame with whatever they perceive as their subject. That is a sure recipe for boring pictures. Exploring through a camera with a fixed lens reveals relationships between the initially recognized subject and it's surroundings which can themselves become the real subject of the photograph. These relationships combined with, and sometimes created by, a certain type of light are the key elements from which my best images are derived. And of course it's always the right light to photograph something.
So after all this, why go another round with zoom lenses? The obvious reason is having multiple focal lengths available without carrying more or changing lenses. Swapping lenses is a bit of a pain in good weather and during bad weather I generally won't even bother. The biggest obstacle, lack of creativity inducing constraints, I believe I'll manage simply through experience. I have been approaching photography with a zoom as though I were still using primes. I imagine what lens would be best for a given scene and zoom to that focal length before I look through the viewfinder and then proceed as usual. If it's not working and I need to "try a different lens," only then do I change the zoom position.
This also allows the added bonus of using the zoom in a more traditional way when I'm stuck in a certain spot and unable to move around. I've also found that when I've exhausted my traditional approach I have the option of exploring through the camera with the added dimension of zooming in and out both on and around the subject.
I've only just begun this process so I imagine there's more to discover and I'm looking forward to using these zoom lenses on a day to day basis. Of course there's no replacing my 35mm 1.4 when shallow depth of field or shooting in low light is required and the tiny size of my 2.8 primes makes them indispensable when traveling as light as possible... but I anticipate using them much less now.
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