You're ready to dive into the fascinating world of portrait photography. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned photographer looking for the perfect lens upgrade, choosing between prime and zoom lenses can be a bit daunting. Let's explore the key differences to help you make an easier decision.

Before we begin, I should let you know that this article will primarily consider lenses compatible with full-frame (35mm) sensor cameras, as they remain the most popular choice among professional photographers.

What's great about prime lenses?

Quality

Prime lenses are renowned for producing images of exceptional quality. While high-quality zoom lenses have significantly improved in recent years, a direct comparison at the same focal length often reveals subtle yet distinct advantages for prime lenses. These advantages can include enhanced sharpness, smoother bokeh (background blur), and a more consistent sweet spot (area of optimal focus).

This superior image quality stems from the inherent simplicity of prime lens design. Unlike zoom lenses, which require complex internal mechanisms to accommodate varying focal lengths, prime lenses are designed around a single focal length. This allows manufacturers to optimise every component for that specific focal length, resulting in superior image quality, often with a more compact and lightweight design.

Faster Aperture and Faster Focusing

Intrigued by an f/1.2 aperture? Bokeh lovers often favor prime lenses over zooms due to their ability to create stunning background blur. Beyond aesthetics, a wider aperture excels in low-light conditions. Furthermore, prime lenses generally exhibit superior autofocus performance, though this advantage may be less pronounced with high-end zoom lenses.

Creativity, Composition, & (Mental) Focus

Working with prime lenses, can be incredibly liberating. It forces you to slow down, become more deliberate in your approach, and truly focus on composition.

This intentional pace encourages you to thoroughly study your subject and its environment. You'll find yourself moving around the scene, experimenting with different distances and angles to discover the most compelling compositions.

Furthermore, the limitations of a prime lens can actually boost your confidence. Without the temptation of zooming in and out, you're less likely to become indecisive. Instead, you're encouraged to commit to your initial compositional vision.

What's great about zoom lenses?

Versatility, Practicality, and Speedy Workflow

Zoom lenses offer unparalleled versatility. Their ability to quickly adjust focal lengths eliminates the need for constant lens changes, minimising the risk of missing "the moment".

They allow you to experiment with different compositions and perspectives seamlessly, capturing a wide range of shots without changing your position. This is invaluable when shooting different looks for a client, from full-length portraits to intricate details, all within a single lens.

Lighter Bag

Carrying a single zoom lens can be significantly lighter than lugging around multiple prime lenses, especially when covering a wide range of focal lengths. This is a major advantage on long days when the weight of your gear starts to feel burdensome, tempting you to simply shoot with your phone.

This benefit extends to travel, where minimizing weight and maximizing space in your luggage is crucial. Zooms offer versatility without sacrificing portability.

Bang for Buck

That's an easy one. The price of a zoom lens is usually roughly the same of a prime one… you do the math.

How do I choose?

Ultimately, the choice between prime and zoom lenses depends on individual preferences. While we've explored their key differences and advantages, the best lens for you will depend on your specific needs and shooting style.

For portrait photography, a common focal length range is 35mm to 100mm.

If you prioritize budget or convenience, a versatile 24-110mm zoom lens can cover your needs. However, these lenses often have a maximum aperture of f/4, which might limit your ability to shoot in low light or achieve a shallow depth of field.

Another option is a two-lens system: a 24-70mm and a 70-200mm zoom lens. This combination offers excellent image quality and typically boasts a wider aperture of f/2.8, with some high-end models even reaching f/2. This allows for better low-light performance and more creative control over depth of field.

This might be a good compromise between cost, space/weight, and image quality.

Finally, for photographers who prioritize creative control, image quality, and the aesthetic appeal of their gear, a collection of prime lenses can be an artistic pursuit in itself. If budget isn't a concern, you can indulge in a system of prime lenses that perfectly aligns with your individual needs and preferred focal lengths.

As a Fujifilm medium format photographer, I've always gravitated towards prime lenses. My deliberate shooting style thrives on the careful composition and subject exploration that prime lenses encourage.  But I must confess, I keep a zoom lens in my collection to speed up the workflow on commercial shoots.

I hope this article could help you find out what kind of shooter you are, and pick the right gear.

Happy shooting!