I do love a little bit of prime time. Certain, zoom lenses are very versatile and handy. However particularly for the most recent Canon and Nikon APS-C format mirrorless cameras, the selection is restricted – and aperture scores are usually gradual in the direction of the lengthy finish of the zoom vary.
Naturally, you need to use full-frame appropriate lenses on crop-sensor cameras for each producers. However I really feel that’s lacking the purpose. If I’m going to put money into an APS-C digicam physique, I’d like purpose-built glass to go together with it – benefiting from the comparatively compact and light-weight kind issue.
I’ve been very a lot impressed with APS-C powerhouse cameras just like the Canon EOS R7 and Nikon Z50 II. In our critiques, my colleagues mentioned that the Canon combines unparalleled velocity and backbone, whereas the Nikon delivers professional energy in a child physique. So the place are the prime lenses to match the efficiency of those our bodies?
On the time of writing, there aren’t any Canon model RF-S primes other than a few Twin Fisheye for 3D VR creation, which actually isn’t my bag. Nikon makes only one prime, the Nikon Z DX 24mm f/1.7, a primary, low-budget affair.
Even with much more E-mount operating time on the clock, Sony solely has eight APS-C format primes on its books, whereas Fujifilm is vastly out in entrance with at least 24 X-mount primes for its APS-C mirrorless cameras.
I could be barking mad, however I assumed the entire level of ‘system’ cameras with interchangeable lenses is that you’ve a supporting vary of fine lenses to place in your digicam physique.
And definitely within the case of Canon and Nikon, there are treasured few APS-C format zooms to select from and subsequent to no primes.
However dangle on a minute, there is some excellent news. You don’t have to stay with own-brand Nikon Z DX primes for Z system APS-C our bodies. Seizing on the chance, I purchased a full set of wonderful however very fairly priced Viltrox AF 13mm, 23mm, 33mm and 56mm lenses for my Nikon Z fc digicam, all with quick f/1.4 aperture scores. The AF 13mm is a bit of bigger than the unique trio however nonetheless very manageable.
There’s additionally a set of pricier APS-C format Sigma 16mm, 30mm and 56mm DC DN | Up to date primes, once more with f/1.4 aperture scores and obtainable in Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, L-mount, Micro 4 Thirds, Nikon Z and Sony E mount choices. And Sigma is spreading the like to Canon EOS R system mirrorless cameras, because it lastly received the inexperienced mild from Canon.
For a correctly pro-grade and super-fast prime, there’s the Viltrox AF 27mm F1.2 Professional, obtainable in Nikon Z DX, Fujifilm X and Sony E mount choices.
I actually hope that Canon and Nikon will ramp up their APS-C format prime lens manufacturing in 2025 however, in the event that they don’t, at the very least we will stay up for some extra very viable alternate options from unbiased producers.
You may additionally like…
Check out the finest Canon RF lenses and the finest Nikon Z lenses – sometimes dominated by first-party full-frame glass, however there’s some APS-C goodness creeping in!