Photographers have been using prime lenses for ages, and for good reason. With the right lenses, you can capture amazing shots and create stunning visuals for your projects. But what makes prime lenses so great? What lenses should you choose for your kit? In this blog post, we’ll discuss the perfect prime lens kit for your every photography need: 16mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm.

Introduction to Prime Lenses

A prime lens is a type of lens that has a single focal length. This means that the size of the image does not change when you move closer or farther away from the subject. Prime lenses are known for their superior image quality and are often used by professionals who require the highest quality photos. They are also lighter and more compact than zoom lenses, which makes them ideal for travel photography.

Why Prime Lenses are Great for Photographers

Prime lenses are a great choice for photographers because they are known for their superior image quality and, usually, for offering you a wider aperture for less cost than their zoom-capable cousins. They also offer a wider field of view than zoom lenses, which means you can capture more of your subject in the frame. Prime lenses also offer great low-light performance and can produce beautiful bokeh (the pleasing out-of-focus area of an image).

16mm Prime Lens

The 16mm prime lens is one of the most popular lenses for landscape and street photography, as it allows you to capture a wide angle of view. The wide angle of view is great for capturing sweeping views and stunning sunsets. The 16mm prime lens is also great for astrophotography as it can capture the night sky in all its glory.

35mm Prime Lens

The 35mm prime lens is another great choice for landscape, street, and documentary photography. This lens offers a natural perspective, which is great for capturing candid moments. The 35mm prime lens is also great for environmental portraiture as it can capture the subject in their natural environment.

50mm Prime Lens

The 50mm prime lens is one of the most versatile lenses in the photography world. It is great for portraits as it offers a natural, human-eye perspective. Perhaps the most abundant prime lens available for any camera system, the 50mm prime lens is often the most affordable prime lens of the group. Macro-capable 50mm prime lenses are also great for close-up photography, as they can capture details in great detail.

85mm Prime Lens

The 85mm prime lens is great for headshots, as it offers a natural perspective. While not as popular for street or landscape photography, the 85mm can yield some truly astonishing shots out on the street or in the mountains if you give it a chance. The ultra-wide f-stop 85mm prime lenses are also great for capturing beautiful bokeh, which is ideal for creating dreamy backgrounds and unreal subject separation.

 

The Perfect Prime Lens Kit for Your Every Photography Need

Now that you know more about the different types of prime lenses, you may be wondering which lenses are the best for your photography needs. For me, personally, the perfect prime lens kit for every photography need consists of the aforementioned 16mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm lenses. Your needs will be different, however, if you work with a large range of environments and job parameters, with this combination of lenses, you will be able to capture a wide variety of shots, from sweeping landscapes to stunning close-ups.

Benefits of Using Prime Lenses

Using prime lenses has a number of benefits. They offer superior image quality and are usually great for low-light performance. They are also lighter and more compact than zoom lenses, which makes them ideal for travel photography. Of course, the biggest bonus is that you can often get a prime lens for a 3rd of the cost of a zoom lens. 

Stay Focused

Choosing the right prime lens for your photography needs is essential. You should consider the type of photography you will be doing and the type of shots you want to capture. For example, if you are doing landscape photography, a 16mm lens is a great choice. If you are doing portrait photography, then a 50mm or 85mm lens is a great choice.

 

Benjamin Lehman is a professional, commercial photographer in the Cleveland, Akron, Canton, and Northeast Ohio areas.