Jump to content

Welcome to NikonForums.com
Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!
Photo

Zoom lenses or Prime?


  • Please log in to reply
7 replies to this topic

#1
Mark.tebb

Mark.tebb

    New Member

  • Forum Member
  • Pip
  • 3 posts
  • Country Flag
Hi guys, I am new to this forum. I recently bought a d3400 with kit lense. I am very happy with it although would like to buy I higher quality lens. My dilemma is whether to buy my first prime lens or get a better zoom lens. I am leaning towards a zoom lens as I really don’t want to be changing lenses. I do a lot of landscape photography but also enjoy taking pictures of my kids. Would image quality be better with a prime? Thanks

#2
Merco_61

Merco_61

    Nikonian

  • Premium Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 10,588 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationUppsala, Sweden

Site Supporter

A zoom lens is convenient and the higher quality models are very good these days. I suppose your kit lens is one of the 18-55 models. In that case, you might enjoy the 16-80 or 16-85. The extra 2 mm at the wide end makes a lot of difference, and the extra reach at the long end can be very nice both for details in a landscape setting and for photographing your kids.

 

Image quality is better using primes but the beginner usually finds the zoom more userfriendly. When you have shot with your zoom for some months, analyzing what focal lengths you use the most will help you find the best first prime for how you see the world through your lens.



#3
ScottinPollock

ScottinPollock

    Forum Veteran

  • Forum Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 648 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationWest Slope Northern Sierra Nevada
The 3400 with the recent kit lenses are capable of excellent image quality. What is it about your images that has you thinking of a better lens?

#4
dcbear78

dcbear78

    Forum Veteran

  • Forum Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 701 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationGladstone, Queensland

The first time anyone puts a prime lens on their camera they are blown away by how much of a better photographer they just became. Simple as that. Everything gets better with primes. And that includes your ability to take photos as you are now concentrating more on your composition because you can't just be lazy and turn that zoom ring.


  • Ron likes this

#5
TBonz

TBonz

    Sportz Guy

  • Forum Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,652 posts
  • Country Flag
  • LocationOn A Field Somewhere...

Site Supporter

I think that Scott asked an important question that could provide the ultimate answer...What is it about your images that has you considering another lens?  

 

You don't indicate what lens you got as a kit lens which would be helpful information as well. 

 

I can pretty well guarantee that MOST folks won't be able to look at an image and tell you whether it was show with a prime or a zoom.  Most wont be able to tell if an image is shot with a kit zoom vs. a higher quality zoom.  That said, there is a difference between these categories.  One of the big differences is the capabilities of the higher end lenses in less than optimal conditions. 

 

That is part of the reason for the question...the better we can understand what you feel is missing or lacking in your current gear, the better we can recommend other options.

 

Edit as I forgot to add:  If you don't want to worry with changing lenses, DO NOT consider prime lenses...they are great, but to be effective, you will want multiple primes at different lengths which means carrying additional lenses and changing as required to get the right image.  



#6
fallout666

fallout666

    Nikonian

  • Forum Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,098 posts
  • Country Flag
  • Locationcfl area of space coast

Hi guys, I am new to this forum. I recently bought a d3400 with kit lense. I am very happy with it although would like to buy I higher quality lens. My dilemma is whether to buy my first prime lens or get a better zoom lens. I am leaning towards a zoom lens as I really don’t want to be changing lenses. I do a lot of landscape photography but also enjoy taking pictures of my kids. Would image quality be better with a prime? Thanks

what lens did you get with your camera. that will help us out. also what length of prime lens do you want. also is going to be for portrait or landscapes or something else. that will give more info to give. also what is your price range too.   



#7
jbell

jbell

    New Member

  • Forum Member
  • Pip
  • 7 posts
  • Country Flag

I personally favor the 35mm 1.8G DX Prime lines from Nikkor, With the D3400 having a 1.5x crop sensor you effectively have a 52mm lens on it...this is as close as your are going to get to a 50mm lens on the d3400.



#8
dem

dem

    Active Member

  • Forum Member
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 68 posts
  • Country Flag

It is more satisfying to use primes, especially fast primes. When you have time to compose your image, adjust depth of field - prime is the king. You cannot beat a fast prime lens for low light photography.

 

Chasing kids with a prime might be a bit frustrating though... For family photos I would personally stick with a kit lens and don't bother.

 

For landscapes either AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR or Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM zooms are worth a look. Sigma is a bit better built and faster but has no VR and is a bit bigger.

 

The 16-80 or 16-85 are both much bigger and more expensive than the kit lens. They are good though and very versatile.