Prime vs Zoom Lenses – What Science Filmmakers Should Choose and Why

When you’re filming science, the question isn’t just what experiment to capture — it’s how. And one of the biggest gear choices for any science filmmaker is lenses. Do you go with the versatility of a zoom lens, or the precision of a prime? Here’s our take from years of filming in the lab and classroom.

---

Prime Lenses – Sharpness and Simplicity

A prime lens has a fixed focal length (e.g. 35mm, 50mm, 100mm).

Advantages:

• Sharper images: Fewer moving parts = crisper shots. Great for macro close-ups of crystals, flames, or small apparatus.

• Wide apertures: Lower f-stops let in more light, useful for slow-motion or low-light reactions like glowing magnesium.

• Forces composition: You move the camera, not the zoom ring — which often leads to more intentional framing.

Limitations:

• Less flexible: if you need to change framing mid-experiment, you may need to swap lenses or move the tripod.

---

Zoom Lenses – Flexibility and Speed

A zoom lens covers a range (e.g. 24–70mm, 70–200mm).

Advantages:

• Versatility: One lens can handle wide shots of the lab and close-ups of the burette.

• Speed: Perfect when you can’t interrupt an experiment to move equipment.

• Cost-effective: One zoom can replace several primes, especially useful when starting out.

Limitations:

• Often less sharp than primes at equivalent focal lengths.

• Narrower maximum aperture (higher f-stop), so they can struggle in low light.

---

Which to Choose for Science Filmmaking?

• For controlled shoots (studio setups, repeatable experiments): prime lenses shine. The sharpness and low-light ability make your science look stunning.

• For live demos or unpredictable experiments (school labs, outreach events): zoom lenses are lifesavers. The ability to reframe instantly means you never miss the action.

---

The Sweet Spot: Use Both

In practice, most science filmmakers benefit from having one reliable zoom for flexibility and one or two primes for high-quality close-ups. For example:

• A 24–70mm zoom for general coverage.

• A 50mm or 100mm prime for beautiful detail shots.

---

✅ At Philip M Russell Ltd, we’ve learned that lenses aren’t about “either/or.” They’re about choosing the right tool for the experiment in front of you.