fixed focus length lens & zoom lens differences | Thread profile

hi all, please guide me with this, about the fix focus length lens & thezoom lens, how do they different from the outcome? is fixed length betterthan zoom if using the same exposure setting? or the optics used quality isdifferent?

Typically fixed focal length lenses are considered optically superior tozooms - less complicated. Fixed focal length lenses are also usuallyfaster (wider aperature) than zooms as well.I haven't done any tests - but just glancing thru my pics, I much preferthe look of my 50mm shots from my M50/1.7 or F50/1.7 over similar shotsdone with the 18-55 or 50-200 at around the same focal length.

Basically if a lens is made to be a fixed lens, then it is set at onefocal length, i.e 135mm. The optics are manufactured to give the bestpicture at that length.With a zoom lens, say 100mm-300mm, then the optics are trying to give afocused image at varying ranges and to do that there has to be somecompromises and one of those compromises is usually less than SHARP SHARPimages.People refer to ...

thnks crashman, i got it clear now. basically just wondering why somefixed focal lens sell so expensive!!, the faster the better?if i normally wouldn't be shotting in low light situation, should i stillneed the prime lens?i am not a perfectionist so can live without the darn sharpness so, willfind those zoom lens first. tQ

joebgoh wrote: if i normally wouldn't be shotting in low light situation,should i still need the prime lens?Some lenses, like a real macro lens, are usually single focal length. Ifyou have no special needs you will not require one.i am not a perfectionist so can live without the darn sharpness so, willfind those zoom lens first. tQPrime lenses (single focal length) used to be much better than ...

joebgoh wrote: thnks crashman, i got it clear now. basically justwondering why some fixed focal lens sell so expensive!!, the faster thebetter?if i normally wouldn't be shotting in low light situation, should i stillneed the prime lens?i am not a perfectionist so can live without the darn sharpness so, willfind those zoom lens first. tQMy observation, which is very subjective, is that fast lenses...

just to throw a stone in the fire here i'll say this. i use to think myM200 f4 was a sharp lens and it is. it's a great lens and i'd recommend itto all, but.. after getting the A70-210 f4 i have to say it's sharperthru out the range.. of course it's twice as big and 3 times the weight.the M80-200 f4.5 is also just a little bit sharper thru out. i'm keepingthe m200 and the a70-210. with ext tubes...