At INP Media we are big advocates of shooting everything we possibly can on prime lenses rather than zoom lenses. Of course this isn’t always possible, and depending on what you’re capturing sometimes you need the flexibility of a zoom lens, but in this article we’ll have a look at some of the reasons why we like shooting on prime lenses so much.

What are prime lenses?

Prime lenses, have a fixed focal length and cannot zoom in or out. They are designed to capture images at a specific focal length, such as 50mm or 85mm, without the ability to adjust the focal length. Prime lenses are available in a wide range of focal lengths and are typically preferred by filmmakers and photographers who want to achieve a specific look or effect in their films and photos.

Prime lenses have several benefits over zoom lenses:

1. Wider Aperture: Prime lenses generally have wider maximum apertures compared to zoom lenses, which allow for more light to enter the lens. This is particularly useful in low-light situations where you need to use faster shutter speeds.
2. Image Quality: Prime lenses are designed to produce sharper, clearer images than zoom lenses. This is because they have fewer moving parts and a simpler design.
3. Portability: Prime lenses are typically smaller and lighter than zoom lenses, making them easier to carry around and use for extended periods of time.
4. Bokeh: Prime lenses are great for creating a shallow depth of field, which can result in beautiful bokeh (the blur in the out-of-focus areas of the image). This effect can add depth and dimension to your images.
5. Consistency: Prime lenses are consistent in terms of image quality and aperture across the entire focal range, unlike zoom lenses which can have inconsistencies at different focal lengths.

Overall, prime lenses are a great choice for anyone who prioritize image quality, low light performance, and creative control.