My preference for primes over zooms.....

 Lenses. I think that over the past 100 months or so of my camera journey, I have owned just about every consumer grade Canon consumer lens. You may recall me writing that for a period of about 2 years, I was an active trader of pre-owned equipment. Given the realities of the market-place, I often found myself having to take possession of lenses in addition to the  bodies (mostly 60D and 7D models) that I was really wanting to purchase. Unbelievably, some sellers actually threw almost free lenses into the deal in order to make their sale.  Anyway, it was an effective way for me to try the different lens types and determine how they would fit into the style of photography that I enjoy the most ---- shooting on the street. Like most newbies to this genre, I found it in the early days easiest, and least threatening/conspicuous, to stand back from the action and click away. Less chance of being challenged and possibly being confronted. Somehow the resultant long-range shots I snagged seemed to lack a sense of intimacy---a lack of appearing that the photog was really in the thick of the action.
                       Shooting with a telephoto on the street means that you are committing yourself to carrying a heavy weight around for a couple of hours & possibly upto 5-6 hours in a full day shoot session which can be especially onerous if the day is hot and humid. In many countries, carrying long lenses on the streets can create envy, identifies one as a rich tourist, setting up a scenario to be the victim of a snatch and grab attack. Bear in mind, a widely used cheapo long lens can be the equivalent of several months income in a struggling third world country. No need to red-flag yourself for a nasty situation.
                    During this photographic journey, I have become increasingly disillusioned with zoom telephoto lenses to the point where I have sold mine (except for a Nikon 70-300mm retained for special occasions). I was impressed by one highly experienced ex pro who reminded us that using a zoom was in fact a lazy alternative for failing to use one's own legs to get closer to the  action. On this advice, I purchased a 35mm f2.0 prime Yongnuo. Perhaps at $US 100, one of the best investments I have ever made even if it may have somewhat of a 'made in China' feel. Super light to carry, the 35mm lens on a full frame camera, most nearly replicates the view magnification that the human eye has when aimed at a situation. It would be absolutely stupid of me to infer that my cheap prime is 'better' than high-end and expensive glass. It just means that the Yongnuo 35mm fully suits my recreational shooting purposes on the street. I am aware that the Yongnuo lens has slight glass inaccuracies that mildly distort being somewhat soft in focus at the extremes. Any lens deficiencies I experience with this lens, can be mostly rectified using Lightroom.  Prime lenses are bright and even with the  modest f2.0 on my Yongnuo 35mm, I can shoot in relatively light subdued areas at shutter speeds that capture the action sharply. Bonus of course is that the wide aperture also makes it easier to achieve those satisfyingly blurred backgrounds when need be.

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