what is a prime lens?

A “Fixed lens”, or fixed focal length lens, provides the users with just one focal length – meaning it doesn’t zoom at all.

Fixed or prime lenses were once the standard. They often came paired with cameras when purchased, and were available in different formats depending on a photographer’s subject matter.

advantages of a  prime lens

Fixed lenses often provide vastly superior optical quality, a result of the less complicated lens design, with a brighter maximum aperture rating. 

Fixed lenses are available in different lengths and qualities to suit different photography needs and styles.

most popular prime lenses

WIDE ANGLE: Wide angle lenses are most popular for landscape photography, with lenses around the classic 28mm being deemed wide.

GENERAL PURPOSE: A 50mm lens, often referred to as a “nifty fifty”, is considered the most suitable for general purpose photography, with many fixed lens lovers relying on this lens as their go-to.

TELEPHOTO: Telephoto lenses, around the 85mm range or longer, are the workhorse of portrait photographers. They are useful in this field due to their lack of distortion providing flattering results as well as the fact that they allow a greater level of working distance between the photographer and the model.