Both primes and zooms have their place. I really don't think it makes all that much difference whether you use a zoom or a prime for the type of shooting most of us do. I think it is more a question of what feels good at any one moment. For many of us it is as much about the experience as the result. There are times I want the convenience of a zoom and there are times I want the light weight (generally faster) traits of a prime. Quality- unless you're looking at publication in National Geographic or huge enlargements, I really don't think it's anything to waste too much time on. My belief is that what makes a lens great for any particular photographer is not necessarily the quality of pictures it takes (providing it meets a certain standard) but it's usefulness, it's handling, build quality and most important its range or its particular focal length. For example, I love zooms in the 28-105 focal lengths. They are incredibly useful tools for me. If you were to ask me what my favourite zoom is it would li kely be the 28-105. Not because it is necessarily the best lens I have but it is the one I reach for most often. Therefore it's (in my opinion a great lens.) For someone else it is an 80-200. For someone else it is an 85 prime, a 24 prime.... That's the lens they use most often. To them that's a great lens.... I think build quality and how the lens feels with the camera and looks through the viewfinder influences people's opinions as much as what the lens produces in the way of pictures. If you feel comfortable with a lens and like the way it feels, chances are you will produce great images with it. This is often what influences people more toward loving a particular prime lens. They're small, well built, simple to use and they are usually faster than they're zoom counterparts. Photographers like what they see through the viewfinder, they like the feel of the lens on the camera ... and they create nice pictures as a result and enjoy the whole process. I don't think it means that the pictures are really much better in most cases. Just my 2 cents
vic
