Fast prime lens (f/1.8 or wider)
A fixed focal length lens with wide maximum aperture that gathers 4–8 times more light than kit zoom lenses. Lets you shoot handheld in low light and creates beautiful background blur.
What to look for
- 1Maximum aperture of f/1.8 or wider (f/1.4, f/1.2)
- 250mm focal length for full-frame, 35mm for crop sensor (approximates natural eye view)
- 3Metal lens mount (plastic wears out with frequent changes)
- 4Compatible with your camera brand's autofocus system
Skip
- f/2.8 or slower—not actually 'fast' enough for real low-light work
- Ultra-wide or telephoto as your first prime (50mm teaches fundamentals)
- Off-brand lenses without autofocus support
Used for: shooting handheld in low light · creating shallow depth of field portraits · night photography without tripod · isolating subjects from busy backgrounds
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