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Your Opinion: Prime vs Zoom for Event Photography

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jameszhan

jameszhan

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I have always been a primer, and I definitely prefer prime lenses over zoom any day of the week. For two years I have always just used a 45mm.

My usual genre is portraiture, but I have an event gig (an academic conference) coming up soon and I wonder if a 35mm 1.4 and a 85mm 1.8 will be sufficient for the job? I will have one camera body only (waiting on my A7III).

I'm one of those people who LOVE fast primes. However, if a zoom will be hugely beneficial over primes in event photography, I might just get the 24-70GM instead of two prime lenses.

I'm just really keen to hear your opinions and experiences about prime vs zoom for event photography in general.

Thanks in advance!
 
I prefer primes for portraiture, but for events, I have to use zooms. You don’t always have the luxury of shooting from exactly where you’d like. You also waste opportunities if you change lenses.

A 24-70 will usually do it for me, but if it’s not a crowded event and it’s a larger venue, I like 24-70 on one body, 70-200 on the other.

Of course it depends on the venue and nature of the event. I can’t think of any I’ve done recently that could have been done with say a 24 and an 85.
 
richiebee said:
I prefer primes for portraiture, but for events, I have to use zooms. You don’t always have the luxury of shooting from exactly where you’d like. You also waste opportunities if you change lenses.

A 24-70 will usually do it for me, but if it’s not a crowded event and it’s a larger venue, I like 24-70 on one body, 70-200 on the other.

Of course it depends on the venue and nature of the event. I can’t think of any I’ve done recently that could have been done with say a 24 and an 85.
Click to expand...
That's a shame to hear because my current budget will only allow me to either get two primes or one zoom. But I figured zoom lenses are probably more optimal for events. Do you bring a speedlite to events?
 
I generally couldn't do without a zoom. It allows me to keep out of the way but more or less fill the frame with the subject, usually. If you have stabilisation that goes some way to mitigating the slower aperture. Though I must say shutter speeds of lower than 1/30s weren't much use for the gatherings I tried it on- too much subject movement.
 
I'm a prime shooter as well. However event photography often puts a lot of movement limitation on the photographer, rendering primes much less useful. Often not only you need multiple zooms, a 2nd body will also help immensely.

The classic big three 2.8 zooms are pretty much the golden combo for this purpose.
 
It depends on the event. For an academic conference, I would definitely stick with primes since you prefer them. There's no reason why you can't just use a 35mm or 50mm prime for something like a conference. It's just people standing around talking and being up on stage. Walk up to people and take their photo. They aren't spinning around, running around, or leaping in the air. Primes are fine.

I've done 3 dance competitions recently and that's where a zoom is invaluable.
 
I've shot prime only, zoom only, and a mix of primes and zooms for weddings and events.

For me, It's no problem to shoot with two primes. 35/85 is a normal combo for me during a wedding. I've also done 35/135 and 50/135. HOWEVER, I use two camera bodies at the events/weddings I photograph. So I'm not lens swapping.

I do believe I could shoot a wedding with one camera body and 2 primes with no problem, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

You asked in a reply about a speedlight. In general, yes, you'll want one (or several, depending on your style) if the light is going to be low and/or exclusively overhead. No one wants an album full of pictures from an event where everyone has dark eyes and long shadows on their face.

If you're going to be taking group pictures at this event where you corral a few people together and take their picture, look into the MagMod MagBounce. It can improve those images by making the light source a little bigger and getting it further from the lens. The only downside is that the MagGrip (which must be stretched over the flash head) and the MagBounce have some weight to them and they can cause the flash head to fall forward. You can turn the flash head sideways (pointed to the ceiling but rotated 90 degrees) yet keep the MagBounce facing forward as a solution if that becomes a problem.
 
Last edited:
jameszhan said:
That's a shame to hear because my current budget will only allow me to either get two primes or one zoom. But I figured zoom lenses are probably more optimal for events. Do you bring a speedlite to events?
Click to expand...
I bring a speedlight, but I only use it if I'm desperate. Most of the venues I shoot in have high ceilings so bounce is out. I have both Gary Fong lightsphere (really bulky) and MagMod Magsphere (a little more compact, and more removeable). Neither really give a true soft light, and on camera flash in general is problematic with glasses wearers, but sometimes, there's not really any option, and both are better than bare flash. I'm more inclined to use a speedlight in situations with lower, white ceilings where I can bounce.

I have a Nikon SB5000 now, but I've been using a Yongnuo speedlight for several years without any issues at all.
 
Last edited:
jameszhan said:
I have always been a primer, and I definitely prefer prime lenses over zoom any day of the week. For two years I have always just used a 45mm.

My usual genre is portraiture, but I have an event gig (an academic conference) coming up soon and I wonder if a 35mm 1.4 and a 85mm 1.8 will be sufficient for the job? I will have one camera body only (waiting on my A7III).

I'm one of those people who LOVE fast primes. However, if a zoom will be hugely beneficial over primes in event photography, I might just get the 24-70GM instead of two prime lenses.

I'm just really keen to hear your opinions and experiences about prime vs zoom for event photography in general.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
For events in which you and your subjects will be moving, zooms all day long. And yes, for the speed-light. One for each camera you will use.

I primarily do landscape photography and prefer zooms for that as well. Unless a person knows exactly what one is going to shoot, from where it will be shot, every condition that will be happening and has shot it before; there is no way of knowing the perfect lens(es) beforehand.
 
Photojournalists I’m acquainted with shoot primarily a FF with 70-200 mm f/2.8 lenses for events.
 
Jonathan Brady said:
I've shot prime only, zoom only, and a mix of primes and zooms for weddings and events.

For me, It's no problem to shoot with two primes. 35/85 is a normal combo for me during a wedding. I've also done 35/135 and 50/135. HOWEVER, I use two camera bodies at the events/weddings I photograph. So I'm not lens swapping.

I do believe I could shoot a wedding with one camera body and 2 primes with no problem, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

You asked in a reply about a speedlight. In general, yes, you'll want one (or several, depending on your style) if the light is going to be low and/or exclusively overhead. No one wants an album full of pictures from an event where everyone has dark eyes and long shadows on their face.

If you're going to be taking group pictures at this event where you corral a few people together and take their picture, look into the MagMod MagBounce. It can improve those images by making the light source a little bigger and getting it further from the lens. The only downside is that the MagGrip (which must be stretched over the flash head) and the MagBounce have some weight to them and they can cause the flash head to fall forward. You can turn the flash head sideways (pointed to the ceiling but rotated 90 degrees) yet keep the MagBounce facing forward as a solution if that becomes a problem.
Click to expand...
Thanks a lot for the info about shooting weddings, as that's something I want to do in the future. Two primes on two camera bodies is definitely the ideal kit here, but unfortunately, I don't have the budget for another camera body right now.

I will definitely check out the MagBounce!
 
ISO 1 Million said:
It depends on the event. For an academic conference, I would definitely stick with primes since you prefer them. There's no reason why you can't just use a 35mm or 50mm prime for something like a conference. It's just people standing around talking and being up on stage. Walk up to people and take their photo. They aren't spinning around, running around, or leaping in the air. Primes are fine.

I've done 3 dance competitions recently and that's where a zoom is invaluable.
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's a very small conference, about 50-70 people so you are right.
 
Lu1Wang said:
I'm a prime shooter as well. However event photography often puts a lot of movement limitation on the photographer, rendering primes much less useful. Often not only you need multiple zooms, a 2nd body will also help immensely.

The classic big three 2.8 zooms are pretty much the golden combo for this purpose.
Click to expand...
2.8 is just not fast enough to my aesthetic preference, but getting the holy trinity is definitely in my plan down the road.

I'm now in a difficult situation because it's either two fast primes or one 24-70 2.8. Decisions...
 
jameszhan said:
ISO 1 Million said:
It depends on the event. For an academic conference, I would definitely stick with primes since you prefer them. There's no reason why you can't just use a 35mm or 50mm prime for something like a conference. It's just people standing around talking and being up on stage. Walk up to people and take their photo. They aren't spinning around, running around, or leaping in the air. Primes are fine.

I've done 3 dance competitions recently and that's where a zoom is invaluable.
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's a very small conference, about 50-70 people so you are right.
Click to expand...
50-70 people standing around and talking, I think I would take 2 FF cameras (two Canon 6D) with Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art on one camera and the 85mm f1.2L MKII on the other. I think I can totally make that work and I have for events.
 
lilBuddha said:
jameszhan said:
I have always been a primer, and I definitely prefer prime lenses over zoom any day of the week. For two years I have always just used a 45mm.

My usual genre is portraiture, but I have an event gig (an academic conference) coming up soon and I wonder if a 35mm 1.4 and a 85mm 1.8 will be sufficient for the job? I will have one camera body only (waiting on my A7III).

I'm one of those people who LOVE fast primes. However, if a zoom will be hugely beneficial over primes in event photography, I might just get the 24-70GM instead of two prime lenses.

I'm just really keen to hear your opinions and experiences about prime vs zoom for event photography in general.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
For events in which you and your subjects will be moving, zooms all day long. And yes, for the speed-light. One for each camera you will use.

I primarily do landscape photography and prefer zooms for that as well. Unless a person knows exactly what one is going to shoot, from where it will be shot, every condition that will be happening and has shot it before; there is no way of knowing the perfect lens(es) beforehand.
Click to expand...
But perfect lens before hand consists of more than just the FL.
 
lilBuddha said:
jameszhan said:
I have always been a primer, and I definitely prefer prime lenses over zoom any day of the week. For two years I have always just used a 45mm.

My usual genre is portraiture, but I have an event gig (an academic conference) coming up soon and I wonder if a 35mm 1.4 and a 85mm 1.8 will be sufficient for the job? I will have one camera body only (waiting on my A7III).

I'm one of those people who LOVE fast primes. However, if a zoom will be hugely beneficial over primes in event photography, I might just get the 24-70GM instead of two prime lenses.

I'm just really keen to hear your opinions and experiences about prime vs zoom for event photography in general.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
For events in which you and your subjects will be moving, zooms all day long. And yes, for the speed-light. One for each camera you will use.

I primarily do landscape photography and prefer zooms for that as well. Unless a person knows exactly what one is going to shoot, from where it will be shot, every condition that will be happening and has shot it before; there is no way of knowing the perfect lens(es) beforehand.
Click to expand...
...except in Street Photography, in everything you are right but this is the exception.
 
Depends on the ISO performance of your camera, and the amount of light you have to work with.

A 2.8 zoom is fine unless conditions are very dark and you wind up with an unwanted level of noise in the files.
 
Spotted Cow said:
But perfect lens before hand consists of more than just the FL.
Click to expand...
There is no perfect lens, there is only the best lens for the situation. But, yes, one weighs the factors one can. The point being a zoom allows for the factors one cannot control or anticipate.
 
isme said:
isme said:
For events in which you and your subjects will be moving, zooms all day long. And yes, for the speed-light. One for each camera you will use.

I primarily do landscape photography and prefer zooms for that as well. Unless a person knows exactly what one is going to shoot, from where it will be shot, every condition that will be happening and has shot it before; there is no way of knowing the perfect lens(es) beforehand.
Click to expand...
...except in Street Photography, in everything you are right but this is the exception.
Click to expand...
I disagree. At least I think I do. How can you know what will happen, what opportunities will present themselves?

Unless you mean that you accept what occurs, regardless of what that is. But that is not knowing the perfect lens, but accepting whatever results happen.
 
Acrill said:
Depends on the ISO performance of your camera, and the amount of light you have to work with.

A 2.8 zoom is fine unless conditions are very dark and you wind up with an unwanted level of noise in the files.
Click to expand...
It will be the Sony A7III--supposedly a beast in low light. Still waiting for my preorder to arrive.

However, my preference for 1.4 and 1.8 lenses is more because of the bokeh but less about the light, since I can always bring a flash. I have always shot on 1.8 primes and I found it hard to part from that super blurry background unfortunately. Such an expensive addiction; thankfully lenses aren't consumables...
 
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