Versatility: Prime Lenses vs Zooms. Of course, the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM was slightly better even though the zoom lens was able to match the close-up capability by having the focal length switched over to 35mm instead of 20mm with the same closest focusing distance remaining unchanged. Still, the image size of the zoom lens at 35mm was not as close as the one shot by the EF 20mm lens at its closest focusing distance. This proved that the zoom lens is indeed more versatile than the prime lens but the latter can be still be used for situations where narrower angle-of-view is needed by just moving closer to the subject. In this second set of comparisons (below) between the two EF lenses are photos of a bonsai plant in a large pot. The first photo was shot with the EF 20mm Super wide-angle while the other three were captured by the zoom lens. All four photos were shot at about the same distance. Shot by the EF 20mm EF 17-35L at 20mm     EF 17-35L at 35mm EF 17-35L at 17mm As can be seen from the above, with the EF 20mm lens, I can get only one angle without changing the distance of where I was standing. With the zoom lens, I can shoot the plant at its 20mm, then zoom to the 35mm position and finally at its widest end, at 17mm, all at the same distance. However, with the prime lens, a photographer can be more creative as he/she can move forward and backward in order to determine the best camera angle. Okay, now look at this situation: Suppose you are using only prime lenses and happen to be on a vacation and only have a 20mm Super wide-angle and the next focal length available is either an 85mm or 100mm telephoto lens, which is too narrow to capture the shots you have in mind, especially for a scene of the National Monument area below. EF 20mm at 0.3m distance EF 20mm at 0.25m distance     EF 17-35L at 20mm setting EF 17-35L at 35mm setting The pool is about three feet deep and as a tourist, getting wet from the waist down in order to get a tighter shot of this scene will be out of the question. At best, you can only shift the 20mm lens to get a slightly different angle of the monument as pictured in photo No: 2. With the EF 17-35L zoom lens, not only can you get a shot of the pool and the fountain at the 20mm (No: 3) setting but a closer view as well when it is zoomed to the 35mm position (No: 4). This is one aspect where the prime lens is less versatile than the zoom if an intermediate focal length of between 35mm and 50mm is not available at one's disposal for situations like the above. << Back to Main . 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 .