If you're just starting out in photography, it’s easy to get caught up in gear talk — chasing the fastest zooms, the most versatile focal ranges, or the latest all-in-one lenses. But let me tell you: one of the best investments I ever made was a simple 50mm prime lens I bought on eBay for about £50. That lens taught me more about photography than any high-end zoom ever could.
The Lazy Trap of Zoom Lenses
Here’s the thing: zoom lenses make me lazy. They let you stand in one spot and change your composition by twisting your wrist instead of moving your feet. Convenient? Sure. But that convenience can come at a cost — especially if you're trying to train your eye and develop a strong sense of composition.
With a zoom, it's easy to let the lens do the thinking. You lose the discipline of looking — really looking — at a scene and asking, “How should I frame this?” or “Where do I need to be to make this shot work?”
The Discipline of a Prime
Prime lenses are fixed at a single focal length. That limitation is a gift. It forces you to move. To recompose. To walk closer or step back. In short, it demands intention.
I learned this firsthand during my early days shooting headshots at Middlesex University. My “studio” was rehearsal room 2 — a completely black room (in true theatre tradition) with giant windows that acted like the best natural softbox money can’t buy. My camera was the trusty Sony Alpha A100. My lens? A Minolta 50mm f/1.7 — the humble, underrated gem that transformed the way I shoot.
Because I couldn’t zoom, I had to think. I had to move. That 50mm lens trained my eye. Over time, I began to recognize the framing and field of view it offered — even before bringing the camera to my eye.
Training your eyes
That’s the magic of using primes. The more you shoot with them, the more your eye learns to “see” at that focal length. You start to instinctively know: If I’m this far from my subject and I want a tight headshot, I need my 85mm. Or: This scene feels like a 35mm wide — I need to get closer to the action.
It becomes intuitive. Like muscle memory for your vision.
Zoom vs Prime: A Quick Breakdown
If you’re new to photography and not sure what the difference is, here’s a quick rundown:
Zoom Lens – Offers a range of focal lengths in one lens (e.g., 24-70mm). Great for flexibility and not having to switch lenses often. Downsides? Many consumer zooms have smaller maximum apertures (like f/5.6), which limits your ability to shoot in low light or get that nice background blur (bokeh). They can also be heavier and slower to focus, depending on the model.
Prime Lens – Fixed focal length (e.g., 35mm, 50mm, 85mm). Often faster (wider apertures like f/1.8 or f/1.4), lighter, and optically sharper. But they require more movement from you. And that’s exactly the point.
My Advice?
If you’re building your kit, get one solid zoom and one good prime. Use the prime often. Live in it for a while. You’ll be amazed how it sharpens your instincts and deepens your understanding of framing, depth, and light.
Your photography will thank you for it.
