Chances are, you’ve probably heard something referred to as a prime lens, but what exactly does the term prime mean? It refers to a fixed focal length, for example 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm. What this means is that you are unable to zoom in and out on a subject while composing your shot. The advantage to using this type of lens is that it enables you to play with depth of field in creating dreamy bokeh backgrounds in your photos. This is particularly nice for portraits.

Primes are also considered “fast” lenses, which means the aperture can be opened up quite a bit (f/1.4 and f/2.8), letting in more light. These lenses are typically less expensive than most zoom lenses, making them perfect lenses when the time comes to upgrade from a kit lens! I personally own the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 and I love it! It’s a great all-purpose lens for portraits, family activities, and artistic shots.