Zooms or fixed focal length lenses?

[Paco Elvira]

Surely, in a perfect world the solution would be to have the best Nikon or Canon cameras, and the best, more expensive and fastest zooms covering the entire range of focal lengths, as the equipment they have, for example, the Reuters photographers.
In my case (I'm a freelance) I must use what I’ve already got: fast lenses of fixed focal length and I know other professionals photographers that do the same. Is the case any of you? What do you think?
Recently I have been shooting for two weeks in South Africa. You can see the whole photo equipment I carried with me in

http://pacoelvirafoto.blogspot.com/2009/05/equipo-fotografico-para-...

[Eduardo Saez De Nanclares]

My opinion Fixed Lenses are the best... My Best zoom my two legs... Zooms are great but to me nothing like fixed lenses.

Eduardo Saez De Nanclares.

[Paco Elvira]

Eduardo,

That's very good: My best zoom my two legs, specially when working with wide angles i guess

[Gary Knight]

Fixed lenses dudes, everytime............

[Brandon Tompkins]

Gary what is in your camera bag on assignments???

[Budi N.D. Dharmawan]

I use prime/fix lenses.. One standard lens and one wide angle lens..

[Vinh Dao]

I guess it depends on what I am shooting is what I bring along. My main lens for press is the Canon 24-70/2.8 which is fantastic for image quality and speed but a bit big. If I am shooting for a magazine where I am not completely stressed for time and space, then I like to carry primes. But if I had to choose between zooms and primes, then primes if just for image quality.

[KEITHJUDD]

Pretty heavy lens if you have been using for 3-4 hours. Must remember to have a mas-sager on hand the next time I use it.

[Aaron Joel Santos]

I travel with prime lenses. One of the best teachers I ever had told me on the first day of class to zoom with my feet.

[Jos van Zetten]

For 25 years i used only primes on my Nikons. From 20mm til 180mm, that was my way of shooting an thought that was the right way and only way.
I switched to fullframe a few months back an bought also a Nikkor 24-70 2.8.
The quality of modern zooms is at the same level as the primes.
This is the lens i use all the time, i don't miss the fixed ones. The only one i use sometimes is the 85mm 1.8 for a nice portrait.
The rest i have sold.

[KEITHJUDD]

ha ha! Good advice.

[Hugh Smith]

Nothing still beats primes. Although, I use zooms (didn't for years), I've gone back through my files and the majority of my work (with zooms) are still taken at roughly 50-60mm. My favorite Canon lens is still my 50mm F/1.4. It's also much faster to shoot while others are still "zooming."
My favorite camera was an old IIIg Leica with a collapsible 50mm Elmar. I nearly killed that thing back in the day.
Anyway, yes, I shoot with a zoom when covering events, but still prefer primes.
(Long winded, huh?)

[KEITHJUDD]

Fixed lens has always been in my opinion the gateway into the crux of your story. Thinking more and getting in closer with your subject. My collection does include one zoom though, a 24-70 which I do use on occasions. Fixed every time though when possible.