Please - Definition/Requirements of a "Prime" Lens

[sblasl]

OK, I am not bashful. I'll ask the question that I am sure others want to ask.

Would the members here please provide the definition/requirements of a "prime" lens? (or is it lense)?

Thanks,

Scott

 

[gauchogolfer]

OK, I am not bashful. I'll ask the question that I am sure others want to ask.

Would the members here please provide the definition/requirements of a "prime" lens?

Thanks,

Scott

A prime lens is simply one that does not zoom (or tilt). Basically the only movement of the optics is for focusing.

 

[Lovesong]

A prime lens is simply one that does not zoom (or tilt). Basically the only movement of the optics is for focusing.

For some odd reason I aways thought the 24mm TSE (along with the 45 and 90) by canon were considered primes.

 

[gauchogolfer]

For some odd reason I aways thought the 24mm TSE (along with the 45 and 90) by canon were considered primes.

Maybe? I just added in the tilt comment on a hunch. My original post just said that non-zooming lenses were primes.

 

[Grimace]

yeah, tilt-shift lenses are considered primes.

 

[milozauckerman]

A lens with a single focal length.

 

[jeffzoom91]

simple definition: I turned the wheel and nothing happened.

 

[Lovesong]

simple definition: I turned the wheel and nothing happened.

Uhhh... that can't be good.
Is the focusing mechanism broken....since nothing happens and all.

 

[shieldyoureyes]

Yep, tilt-shifts are also primes.

A prime is a lens that doesn't zoom (only have one focal length)

The most common ones you will see are 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and other varying lengths all the way up to 500mm and above.

They generally produce sharper images than their zoom counter parts and have wider apertures, which make them much more suitable for shooting in very low light.

 

[valiar]

(or is it lense)?

Lense if you live in UK, I guess
But yes, as has been posted above - a prime lens is a lens with fixed focal length. As opposed to a zoom lens (also called a transfocator).