I’m in Michael Sasser’s facebook group for Boudoir photography (more on that in an upcoming post).

Part of being in any photography group means fielding constant questions about camera gear. For some reason, this particular group seems partial to the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, which is a common mid-range lens.

I’m constantly the nay-sayer on this issue. I think this is a terrible lens to get… in certain situations.

Okay, I’m being hyperbolic here. I don’t think it’s a terrible lens to get in any situation. I have the Tamron version, a 28-75mm f/2.8. Its a fantastic lens. I just don’t use it most of the time.

So why? I prefer Prime lenses generally. My favorite focal lengths are 35mm and 85mm. 35 is a standard wide angle lens, meaning it gets a nice sampling of a landscape. 85 is considered a standard portrait focal length.

In a static situation where you’re in one room with one subject, such as boudoir, there is simply no reason to use a zoom.

But why? I’m sure a lot of people would think “24-70 covers 35 and comes close to 85”. And this is true. Zoom lenses are versatile. They’re far more versatile than Prime lenses. But Prime lenses are better in every other way.

Prime lenses are faster and often sharper. My favorite lens is my Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art. At f/1.4 or 1.8, you can get unbelievable artistic shots. Zoom lenses stop at f/2.8 and they tend to be expensive at that f-stop. And don’t get me wrong, f/2.8 is great. You can get amazing shots.

I just don’t understand choosing that when you’re only doing Boudoir or Portraits.

So when do I recommend using a Zoom lens? Any situation where you don’t know what conditions you’ll be working in. Any situation where you can’t personally move forwards or backwards much. Weddings, events or other situations when you need to shift distance quickly, but can’t swap lenses fast enough. And sometimes when you’re traveling and don’t want to bring a ton of gear.

For instance, I went on a Jason Lanier Workshop in 2019. I was flying into Atlanta and driving to Helen, Georgia. I was trying to travel as light as possible considering all the moving around I would have to do. That Sigma 85 is a beast of a lens… it’s also huge and heavy. And as I said, it isn’t as versatile. Instead I took my Tamron 28-75. And I got great results!

I would have loved to bring my 85 and get those creamy backgrounds that an f/1.4 can bring. But you need the right lens for the right situation. This time it meant I had to use a Zoom.

By all means, if you only have money for one lens in the foreseeable future and you’re practicing different types of photography, get a Zoom. But when you’re ready to get real, get some f/1.8 Primes. You’ll see the difference.