What are the disadvantages to shooting with zoomed lenses on adapters (letus in my case)? I'm shooting content where sometimes I don't have time to stop and switch lenses. If you put a zoom lens image next to a prime lens image, what differences would there be? Also, is there any extra adjusting or calibrating that needs to be done when working with zoom lenses?
Zoom vs Prime lens question
- Thread starter Lkorver
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mvansomeren
Well-known member
unless the zoom lens is a constant aperture lens, the lens loses more light the more you zoom in. Also, many zooms have the focus and zoom ring combined. That will make it difficult to maintain focus while zooming.
Aside from that, there's no reason that you can't use a zoom lens. Many adapter users do.
Aside from that, there's no reason that you can't use a zoom lens. Many adapter users do.
It used to be that zooms were noticeably less sharp than primes. If you're using old Canon FD or Nikon glass that's obviously the case. These days, there are some pretty amazing zooms, nearly as sharp as prime lenses. Not nearly all of them, but certainly some of them. The big expensive ones with large max apertures are more likely to be that sharp.
Of course sometimes sharpness isn't everything. If there's some real need you have for a specific zoom, sometimes it's worth giving up a little sharpness to use it. But in the long run, you'll be well served to have a few of the common focal length quality prime lenses in your case.
Duncan
Of course sometimes sharpness isn't everything. If there's some real need you have for a specific zoom, sometimes it's worth giving up a little sharpness to use it. But in the long run, you'll be well served to have a few of the common focal length quality prime lenses in your case.
Duncan
thanks for the insight. sorry for all the newbie questions..
I'm thinking weight is also a con to the zoom lenses? is that correct?
You say you can't focus and zoom, you mean just at the same time. Once you set your zoom you can then adjust the focus ring right?
Can you recommend a good wide zoom for maximum sharpness? like a 21mm to 50mm (I use those numbers because that the range of lenses I use most).
Will a zoom lens set to 50 have similar DOF as a prime 50mm?
I'm thinking weight is also a con to the zoom lenses? is that correct?
You say you can't focus and zoom, you mean just at the same time. Once you set your zoom you can then adjust the focus ring right?
Can you recommend a good wide zoom for maximum sharpness? like a 21mm to 50mm (I use those numbers because that the range of lenses I use most).
Will a zoom lens set to 50 have similar DOF as a prime 50mm?
Zoom lenses can be heavier than primes, though some of the wide-aperture primes are pretty dang heavy, with all that large glass!
When he was talking about zooming and focusing, he meant with a "single-touch" zoom (aka "push-pull" zoom). It's hard to focus without also accidentally zooming even a little bit. Doesn't matter on a still camera, since wherever the controls end up, you freeze that moment in time and it is what it is. Tiny bits of zooming while focusing, in a video capture, just looks ugly. The solution, then, is to get a "two touch" zoom, that has separate rings for zooming and for focusing.
There are some good wide zooms out there these days, but it depends on what mount you have of course. I'd try to stick with the mount manufacturer's lenses instead of 3rd party brands like Vivitar, Soligor, etc. It's a very rare day indeed that a 3rd party lens is as good as the OEM stuff. It's a case of definitely getting what you pay for. I used some seemingly good 3rd party lenses for years and was *shocked* when I switched to real Canon lenses to find out how superior they were. Same goes for Nikon, etc.
Two lenses with the same focal length and set to the same aperture should have the same DOF, even if one of those lenses is at that focal length as part of a zoom range, yes.
Duncan
When he was talking about zooming and focusing, he meant with a "single-touch" zoom (aka "push-pull" zoom). It's hard to focus without also accidentally zooming even a little bit. Doesn't matter on a still camera, since wherever the controls end up, you freeze that moment in time and it is what it is. Tiny bits of zooming while focusing, in a video capture, just looks ugly. The solution, then, is to get a "two touch" zoom, that has separate rings for zooming and for focusing.
There are some good wide zooms out there these days, but it depends on what mount you have of course. I'd try to stick with the mount manufacturer's lenses instead of 3rd party brands like Vivitar, Soligor, etc. It's a very rare day indeed that a 3rd party lens is as good as the OEM stuff. It's a case of definitely getting what you pay for. I used some seemingly good 3rd party lenses for years and was *shocked* when I switched to real Canon lenses to find out how superior they were. Same goes for Nikon, etc.
Two lenses with the same focal length and set to the same aperture should have the same DOF, even if one of those lenses is at that focal length as part of a zoom range, yes.
Duncan
leteeci
Well-known member
On the other hand.. my Tokina AT-X MD-mount 60 - 120 mm f2.8 is most used lens on my SGpro r3.. I am much satisfy with one-touch zoom lenses, so I bought Vivitar Series 1 35 - 85 mm f2.8; which I must test in action..
It is very important for me, that zoom lens have constaint f-stop thrue whole range..
But I use them mostly on shooting music videos, so that is maybe different filming style when speed is needed.. That Tokina is sharp and well build..
Cheers..
It is very important for me, that zoom lens have constaint f-stop thrue whole range..
But I use them mostly on shooting music videos, so that is maybe different filming style when speed is needed.. That Tokina is sharp and well build..
Cheers..
The most important difference is speeeeed is much cheaper with primes. With DOF adapter you really need fast glass... it means less lighting and very shallow DOF, which you might need sometimes (depending on your application).
another disadvantage of zooms is that you won't be able to focus close to the lens.
another disadvantage of zooms is that you won't be able to focus close to the lens.