Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

What is an advantage of using a prime lens compared to a zoom lens?

1. Less distortion

2. Sharpeness and larger openings

3. Higher zoom capability

4. Greater weight

The correct answer is: Sharpeness and larger openings

Using a prime lens offers several advantages, particularly in terms of sharpness and larger maximum apertures. Prime lenses are typically designed with fewer glass elements compared to zoom lenses, which often results in better image quality due to reduced optical aberrations. This leads to sharper images, especially noticeable in high-resolution photography. Additionally, prime lenses usually come with larger apertures (such as f/1.4 or f/1.8) compared to zoom lenses that may have slower maximum apertures (like f/3.5-5.6). Larger apertures allow for better low-light performance and increased control over depth of field, which can create more aesthetically pleasing backgrounds by achieving a blurred effect, also known as bokeh. This focus on image quality and light-gathering ability is a significant reason why many professional photographers prefer prime lenses for specific types of photography, such as portraits or landscape work, where detail and depth of field are critical.