Travel photography is a staple genre of the craft and one that most photographers try at some point. However, with such a broad scope and the many other genres that it encompasses, it can be hard to keep your kit bag light. So, what’s the best prime lens?
There is, of course, no correct answer, only opinions. Zoom lenses are particularly popular as walkaround, do-it-all options, but if you prefer primes or you need faster glass, a prime lens might be your only option. You then have the difficult task of working out which focal length best suits your needs.
The nifty-fifty has always been a favorite of photographers from a range of genres, but for some (myself included), it’s something of a half measure. What many travel photographers opt for instead is a wider prime and in this video, TKNORTH discusses his new favorite, the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art. That is particularly wide and fast, which lends itself to versatility, with wider shots on the menu, but also close-ups of subjects with a narrow depth of field and good subject separation from the background.
I have used a 24mm f/1.4 before and though I didn’t expect to enjoy it as I gravitate towards far longer primes, I had to concede that it wasn’t short of creative applications. For me, the success of a prime that wide is its widest aperture being so wide; had it have been an f/2.8, I would have wholly disagreed with the sentiment of this video.
What prime lens do you reach for when it comes to travel photography and why? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.