Prime numbers

[pxl8]

I'm thinking about ditching my 70-200L and replacing it with
a Canon 135 f/2L and Canon 85 f/1.8 with maybe a 1.4x to mix things up a little.

What say ye and why?

 

[DiddyDave]

Carry 3 bits of glass to replace one? And surely lose the f-stop advantage of the primes every time you use the 1.4x - can't see the point m8

 

[dazzajl]

Before all the (probably sensible) people who prefer zooms get here and tell you not to do it, I'll say I would.

I just like working with primes and find the lack of flexibilty makes me work harder for the right spot to shoot from and that often leads to better angles. It would make more sense if you have something in the tele range to keep the reach. Although a TC on the 135 f2 should give you a decent image.

 

[pxl8]

Dave, the f-stop advantage would still be better than the 70-200 f/4 - not quite as long but I can live with that as I don't need lots of reach.

Daz, I'm a big prime fan as well and much as I like the 70-200 I do tend to use it as a prime and walk around, it's just the way I think when I'm looking through the viewfinder

 

[DiddyDave]

Ah - I assumed it was an f2.8, you didn't say that bit - so I'll change my answer to, get a 70-200 f2.8 instead

I usually pick the spot to shoot with regards to what exactly I want framed in the shot, and what perspective I'm after - then figure out what focal length to use from that - so often it could be 85mm or 135mm, but it could also just as likely be 97mm or 156mm, hence a zoom and no cropping afterwards

15 years ago I had a big set of primes as I didn't trust the quality of zooms at the time - I also had worse backache as a result

 

[blinkerz]

surely primes have there place still with low light situations (1.2/1.4), so best would be a mix of both?

 

[pxl8]

Dave, you work the exact opposite to me so a zoom probably makes more sense. I pick the lens based on the rough working distance I have available and then move around to frame the shot. The 70-200 f/2.8 doesn't appeal - it's 1.5kg more than the weight of the 135 and 85 combined

 

[Hoodi]

Pretty much what dazzajl said - zooms are great, but I love working with primes. I only have one zoom lens on any of my cameras and I get all thrown when I use it now!
It sounds like you rather like primes, too... So go for it!

 

[DiddyDave]

Dave, you work the exact opposite to me so a zoom probably makes more sense. I pick the lens based on the rough working distance I have available and then move around to frame the shot. :

Interesting... and yes, the 70-200 f2.8 on my D2Xs weighs a sodding ton!

 

[FranchiseJuan]

Going the primes route only works when you have more then one body to work with. If you only have one body, you should stay with the zoom.

Before you call me a zoom snob, I actually have more primes then zooms.

 

[pxl8]

2 bodies (well 3 but one's sold now) and I agree, too much swapping with a single body.