Prime Lenses for Photography and Video Production
2h 47mIntermediate2016-05-19
Authors

Richard Harrington
Digital Video Expert, Educator, Speaker

James Ball
Freelance DP and camera operator with 25 years of experience
Course details
Most cameras come with a zoom lens, and there's no denying a zoom lens provides focal-length flexibility. But prime lenses—ones with a fixed focal length—have their place. They're often faster, and their optical qualities can be superior to that of a zoom lens.
In this course, Rich Harrington joins cinematographer James Ball for a detailed look at the pros and cons of using prime lenses for both photography and video projects. Together, they look at practical implications of shooting with primes as well as creative opportunities and challenges.
Learning objectives
Understanding prime lenses
Adapting lenses to specific cameras
Identifying benefits and challenges when working with prime lenses
Working with specialty prime lenses: macro and Lomography lenses
Exploring options with a shallow depth of field
Strategies for success with prime lenses
In this course, Rich Harrington joins cinematographer James Ball for a detailed look at the pros and cons of using prime lenses for both photography and video projects. Together, they look at practical implications of shooting with primes as well as creative opportunities and challenges.
Learning objectives
Understanding prime lenses
Adapting lenses to specific cameras
Identifying benefits and challenges when working with prime lenses
Working with specialty prime lenses: macro and Lomography lenses
Exploring options with a shallow depth of field
Strategies for success with prime lenses
Skills covered
Analog PhotographyPersonaPhotography
Concepts
Welcome
- 01 - What you ll learn in this course
1. An Introduction to Prime Lenses
- 02 - What is a prime lens
- 03 - How are prime lenses different from zoom lenses
2. Understanding Prime Lens Options
- 04 - Common mounts for photo primes
- 05 - Common mounts for video and cinema primes
- 06 - Using lens adapters
- 07 - Testing an adapted lens
- 08 - Sensor coverage requirements for lenses
- 09 - Stabilizing prime lenses
- 10 - Working with vintage primes
3. Essential Benefits to Working with Prime Lenses
- 11 - Enhancing shallow depth of field
- 12 - Using a macro lens for closeup details
- 13 - Improving low-light performance
- 14 - Precise controls with prime lenses
- 15 - Reducing lens distortion and profiling prime lenses
- 16 - Aesthetic characteristics of prime lenses
- 17 - The impact of weight reduction
4. The Challenges of Working with Prime Lenses
- 18 - Increased movement caused by fixed focal lengths
- 19 - Increased skill requirements for focus
- 20 - Managing client expectations
5. Additional Specialty Primes
- 21 - Shooting with a fisheye lens
- 22 - Shooting with a wide-angle lens
- 23 - Shooting with a tilt-shift lens
- 24 - Shooting with Lensbaby lenses
- 25 - Shooting with Lomography lenses
6. Strategies for Success
- 26 - Developing a working style
- 27 - Choosing a coverage range
Conclusion
- 28 - Next steps
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