Exploring Prime Lenses: Can You Change Aperture or Is It Fixed?

When it comes to prime lenses, many photographers often wonder about the flexibility of changing the aperture. Are prime lenses with fixed apertures truly limited, or can they be adjusted to suit different shooting conditions?

Understanding Fixed and Adjustable Apertures

Prime lenses typically have a fixed maximum aperture, meaning the largest aperture opening is pre-determined by the lens design. This does not, however, prevent you from adjusting the aperture setting within the range of the lens. By reducing the aperture, you can achieve greater depth of field or reduce the amount of light entering the lens.

For instance, a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens allows you to set the aperture to smaller values like f/2.8 or f/4. However, the maximum aperture of the lens remains at f/1.8. This flexibility makes prime lenses quite versatile for various photography styles and situations.

Common Practices and Exceptions

Virtually all prime lenses, except for a few specialty lenses such as reflex mirror lenses, allow you to change the aperture. Adjusting the aperture is typically a crucial part of the creative process, impacting both exposure and depth of field.

The 8-Ball Says “Signs Point to Yes.” You Can Adjust Your f-Stop.

It's important to understand that within the range of the lens, you can adjust the f-stop or aperture setting. This provides photographers with the ability to control the depth of field and amount of light entering the lens, which can greatly influence the final image.

Historically, before the advent of the internet and digital photography, photographers often aimed for cheaper, fixed aperture telephoto lenses around 600mm, which would typically have an aperture fixed at f/11. These lenses were mainly used with tripods and were not commonly used for regular photography. Over time, fewer photographers opted for such lenses as the demand for versatile and high-quality lenses increased.

Fixed Focal Length Lenses in the Film Era

In the film era, photographers predominantly used fixed focal length lenses for everyday photography. A typical setup would include:

A "normal lens" with a fixed focal length around 50mm At least one wide-angle lens At least one zoom telephoto lens For portrait photography, a 70mm lens was often used for its flattering characteristics.

Many of these fixed focal length lenses provided better quality and consistency, especially in studio environments where lighting and exposure were carefully controlled.

Benefits of Fixed Focal Length Lenses

Prime lenses, being fixed focal length lenses, often offer better optical quality and consistency compared to zoom lenses. While zoom lenses strive to maintain sharpness throughout their range, they may not achieve the same level of detail and clarity as prime lenses.

Photographers who engage in studio work often prefer using vintage or "old glass" lenses because they can achieve a distinctive look. Edge-to-edge sharpness is not a necessary requirement for all types of photography. These vintage lenses can be acquired at a lower cost, especially on platforms like eBay.

Conclusion

While prime lenses are designed with a fixed maximum aperture, they do offer flexibility through adjustable aperture settings. This feature, combined with their high optical quality and specialized designs, makes prime lenses a valuable tool for photographers who prioritize creative control and image quality.

Whether you're a professional photographer or an enthusiast, understanding the nuances of prime lenses can significantly enhance your photography skills and help you achieve the desired results.