Prime Lens vs. Zoom Lens for Travel Photography

One of my favorite things about travel photography is that there are so many things to experience and capture. Whether you’re interested in landscapes, architecture, food, people, or something else, you can always find something interesting while you’re roaming the area.

One decision that photographer’s must make is deciding what photography lens they’ll bring on their trip. Now you can definitely take multiple lenses, but many photographers who are traveling often prefer to pack light, which a lot of times means only bringing one trusted lens.

There are two types of lenses that you’ll likely be deciding between: a prime lens or zoom lens. I’ve always believed that you can use whatever you like as long as you’re pushing yourself creatively. But I do believe this is a good conversation to explore as some lens types are better in certain settings than others.

Basic Definitions

For the purpose of this article, I’m going to go over the basic definitions of a prime lens and zoom lens for those that may not have a good grasp yet.

Prime lens

A prime lens is commonly known as a fixed focal length lens, meaning that the focal length cannot be changed. A prime lens is a preferred lens choice for many photographers because of its unique benefits like enhanced sharpness, low-light performance, weight, and cost.

Zoom lens

A zoom lens is a lens that can capture a range of focal lengths by turning a zoom ring. This means that photographers can take closer or wider shots of a subject without moving, allowing them to gain new perspectives of a subject. Many photographers choose zoom lenses due to its convenience, versatility, and framing capabilities.

Why Photographers Tend to Use Zoom Lenses for Travel

It’s not really surprising that most photographers prefer to use zoom lenses for travel photography. A zoom lens is convenient in ways that prime lenses are not. For example, a zoom lens allows you to quickly change focal lengths without needing to change your lens altogether.

Additionally, these lenses are more versatile since you can capture a wide variety of subjects seamlessly. A zoom lens also enables you to master your framing around your subject, allowing you to spend less time in post-processing.

With travel photography, it’s best to expect the unexpected. When choosing just one lens, it’s best to choose one that is capable of handling the job, which is why many people opt for zoom lenses. But even though zoom lenses appear to be the more superior choice, I think prime lenses have unique benefits and features worth considering.

Can you use a prime lens for travel?

Of course, you can. The choice is really yours. Some photographers honestly prefer shooting with prime lenses. For some, prime lenses are the most economical option. But preferences or budget aside, these lenses can truly be a great option for travel photographers. With that said, let’s talk about some of the reasons you may want to use a prime lens and some things to consider when going this route.

Benefits of Using a Prime Lens

• Practical: These lenses are sometimes the most practical choice when shooting travel. Due to its fixed focal length, these lenses are compact in size, making it a perfect choice for getting around and getting your shot.
• Performance: A prime lens is often superior in performance compared to zoom lenses. This is because prime lenses have fewer moving parts and optical elements, leadings to sharper images.
• Best in low-light situations: Since prime lenses have a wider apertures, these lenses perform best in low-light situations. If you’re interested in some evening photography, a prime lens should be your go-to.

Things to consider

Prime lenses have many benefits. Personally, I mainly shoot with prime lenses. However, there are some things I like to keep in mind when choosing to use them. For instance, if I’m not going to pack more than one lens, then I’ll need to be prepared to move around a lot. Additionally, I realize that there may be some limitations in terms of what subjects I’ll be able to shoot. But, I also realize that a prime lens works well for me in a lot of scenarios. I’m often shooting in small town settings and find that I’m not really missing out.

Final Verdict

I think that a zoom lens is always going to be the most convenient just because the nature of travel photography is unpredictable. Having a lens that accommodates different settings is certainly beneficial. With that said, prime lenses are a great choice for travel and have some nice benefits you won’t find with a zoom lens. Additionally, there are a wide range of prime lenses with different focal lengths to meet your preferences.