Prime lenses vs. zooms

Zooms are popular, in particular among amateur photographers who wish to have a "kit". Usually containing three zooms, 12-24mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm. Then you've got all ranges covering 95% of all common tasks. And zooms are convenient, often you can just slip one on and you're done for the day.

But zooms comes at a price: They are heavy, they are expensive, they are slow, and they are not as sharp as primes. I shall not argue whether or rather why I think they are not worth the price. There is a different, and more important price that is paid due to the convenience: Zooms invite the photographer to become lazy: Grab the cam, zoom in to get the crop and shoot.

If you use primes, then you will see your subject does not fill the frame, or is too big to fit the frame and you're forced to move around. Doing so, you will discover new perspectives and stimulate your photographic eye. Primes encurage you to investigate and look around to compose your photo and not just get your subject. This is particularly important when photographing outdoor where the environment plays an equally important role.

In my opinion zooms are the death to creativity.