 Linda Kessler |
Difference between 35mm fixed and 35-105mm zoom? I used to shoot with an Nikon FM2 but had to switch over to an autofocus N90s and F100. I use a zoom lens 35-105mm instead of a fixed lens. Is it my imagination or is there a difference between the nature of the photograph in the fixed 35mm lens vs. the 35mm image within the zoom lens? The look of the image seems different, perhaps I can't get as close with the zoom lens. Thanks, Linda
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Jon Close |
Several things may be at work. (1) "35mm" of either lens is just approximate. The prime is probably very close to being 35mm, the zoom could be anywhere from 33mm or 37mm at the "35mm" setting, so the angle of view wider or narrower than the prime. (2) Focal length is measured at infinity focus. Many lens designs are such that the focal length changes as the lens is focused to closer distances. The change in actual focal length for the zoom and the prime will not be the same. (3) The look of the photos from the prime and zoom can look different due to different apertures used. The prime is likely to have a maximum aperture of f/2 while the zoom may be limited to no wider than f/2.8 or f/3.5. Unless the same aperture is used, the depth of field and the look of out-of-focus subjects will be different. (4) The prime is likely to be sharper due to its design being simpler and optimized for the single focal length. Zoom lenses are more prone to flare and ghosting than are primes.
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Linda Kessler |
Jon, Thanks for your response. Yes, I understand about the aperture, it is not a depth of field issue, but more of the feeling of distortion which I like in a 35mm prime lens which I have as a manual for my FM2. I am wondering if it is that I am not able to get as close with the zoom lens set at 35mm as I used to with the manual 35mm prime lens so I do not see the distortion which I loved when I shoot several people, having the squeezed in feeling. Linda
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Jon Close |
Could be. Do you still have the prime lens? What are the close focus limits of each?
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Christopher A. Vedros |
Linda, The zoom lens may have one or more aspherical lens elements in it to "correct" the distortion at the wide end that you are actually looking for. I don't know how long aspherical elements have been in use, but I'm assuming your zoom lens is newer than your prime, so this could be the case. Chris A. Vedros
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
A regular zoom without macro added to it usually have a slighty longer minimum focusing distance than a straight lens of the same focal length.
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