Every Photographer's Gear: The Prime Lens

Lenses from left to right: Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Lens, Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens and Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 L USM Lens.

     It is said that prime lenses are a must have in a photographer's camera bag. But is it really important for your everyday shooting? Canon and Nikon have already released a couple of prime lenses in their lens line-up. But what really is a prime lens?

Creamy bokeh behind the subject(duck).

     A prime lens is lens with a fixed-focal length, meaning that you can't zoom in or out with this lens. The focal lengths vary from 24mm, 50mm, 85mm, etc.. Prime lenses tend to have larger apertures, mostly ranging from f/1.2 onwards. With a large aperture like this, you will be able to capture a photograph with a creamy "bokeh"(meaning to blur the out-of-focus part in the photo). This "bokeh" will really step-up your pictures into a whole new level. Also, you will have an easier time shooting in low-light conditions because more light can pass through the lens, giving you faster shutter speeds. Thus, this lens is outstanding in wedding photography.

    Some people may still want a zoom lens for more flexibility, but for me, I would rather get a prime first before getting telephoto lenses like the 70-200 f2.8. This is because prime lenses are cheaper, more compact and easier to travel with.

 ---Ask me how I zoom with a prime lens. I use my God-given legs. :)