Fixed Focal Length Lenses

I've been on a mission lately to practice using one single focus lens on what I call "Photo Safaris". By limiting myself to either a 2.8 60mm Nikkor Macro or a 1.8 35mm Nikkor "snapshot" lens I must walk to position myself for full frame shots, adhering to compositional rules. I'll tell you I've gotten a lot more exercise doing things this way but I think the results show that I've become more aware of perspective, motion and light. Both of these lenses are tack sharp and fast glass. They give me the ability, on a tripod, of freezing waterfalls while showing great detail. I'm in retirement now so time is on my side. I can ride/drive 200 miles for one specific shot, like "North Falls" at Silver Falls State Park or 5 miles to shoot the waterfall at the Portland Japanese Gardens. I've got many more locations to visit. Tomorrow it will be the Portland Rose Garden with a fellow photographer I've yet to meet. He's looking for a good place to shoot and I just happen to know a couple dozen.

Excellent Bob. I love the 35mm (f2D) and 85mm (f1.8D) prime lenses too. Now I am on full frame they are working exactly as they were intended. I couldn't limit myself as i do find myself visiting events that require changes to get the shot, but nevertheless I understand the principle. Zooms in general do lose quality against primes although most people wouldn't notice. They do tend to mean people stay static and zoom to get the shot rather than move themselves. A prime makes you work harder but in some situations you could miss the shot.

With full frame, I reckon if I had 24, 50 and 85 I would get most of what I want with a bit of footwork. If I could only have one, it would probably be the 35mm.

The bit about retirement I can only dream. Although I have a good job (for the moment anyway with all the cutbacks), I'm mildly envious of some of the people in the forum who don't work and can wake up to a new photography project. It's not just the working time, I bring work home sometimes for evenings or weekends, but it's the mind being free to be creative. If I am thinking about many other things, it's hard to get the ideas, and by the time I do, I have to think about implementing them at a later date when I get a weekend free - often subject to the weather or other plans taking precedence. Having your days free, not working or retired and being able to have more leisure time in reasonable health is great I am sure. Enjoy it Bob, sounds like you have your retirement well sorted. (About another 20 years to wait for me!!!)

I use 3 prime lenses, a 30mm, a 50mm and 90mm and love all three. As I am primarily concentrating on portraits right now they suit me perfectly but I do feel I miss out on shots when we are and about with the kids because I can't keep up with them!

I love primes for their quality, and as mentioned already - the way they force you think about composition and framing a little more.

But for all but the most enthusiastic, carrying and changing so many lenses can be a pain - so zooms come in handy

I have two zooms, an 18-55 Nikkor kit lens and a 70-300mm sigma. The smaller zoom is excellent as a general purpose lens that sure comes in handy in variable shooting conditions.

My trips with one lens is an exercise in technique. If I had to pick my favorite prime it would be the 60mm macro. I use it for portraiture and flower photography. The results are so sharp I can't imagine trying to equal the results with a zoom.

The big point is to get out there and shoot. I made my trip to the Japanese gardens yesterday and shot 90 frames, keeping just 2. I was very happy to get one good photograph that I'd be proud to frame and hang on my wall. I'm pretty picky about doing so, considering my flat is only 182 square feet.