Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
If your zoom lens already covers the focal length of a “Fast Prime”, why would you need another lens with the same focal length?
In this video, photographer Gavin Hoey explores the real-world advantages of fast prime lenses and demonstrates what actually changes when you work at wide apertures like f/1.4 compared to f/4 and f/11. Rather than focusing on brand or specific gear, this session looks at the practical reasons photographers choose fast glass and whether those reasons matter for your style of photography.
Gavin breaks his explanation into three key areas:
Low-light performance – How wider apertures allow you to maintain image quality without pushing ISO unnecessarily high and lowering image quality.
Bokeh and background rendering – Including the popular “bokeh balls” effect and how aperture size influences their look… but not how to correctly pronounce Bokeh!
Depth of field – Exploring how wide apertures create subject separation and background blur.
Through side-by-side comparisons and simple demonstrations, this video shows what really happens when you open up your lens and might help guide you into deciding whether a fast prime offers something your zoom lens simply can’t.
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:45 Fast glass in low light
1:30 Low light and high ISO
2:35 Fast glass with flash
3:35 Bokeh ball effect at bigger apertures
4:45 Photo session for bokeh backgrounds
5:25 Number 1 reason for fast glass?
6:40 Shallow depth of field photo session
7:02 Lighting a film noir cinematic set
7:30 Conclusions and Subscribe
SUBSCRIBE AND BE PART OF THE ADORAMA FAMILY:
➥ youtube.com/user/adoramaTV
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Be the first to shop our great deals and sales by signing up for emails from Adorama! adorama.com/MyAccount/Login
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Save 5% Every Day† or Special Financing* On purchases of $199+ with the Adorama Edge Credit Card. Learn More: adorama.com/g/adorama-credit.
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✘ GEAR USED:
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED Lens for Micro Four Thirds
adorama.com/l/?searchinfo=om%20zuiko
OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II Mirrorless Camera
adorama.com/om-system-om-1-mark-ii-mirrorless-camera-body-only/p/iomom1m2
Flashpoint eVOLV 200 Pro II R2 TTL Pocket Flash , Godox AD200Pro II
adorama.com/flashpoint-evolv-200-pro-ii-r2-ttl-pocket-flash-godox-ad200pro-ii/p/fplfev200pii
Flashpoint XPLOR 100 Pro R2 TTL Pocket Flash (Black) , Godox AD100pro
adorama.com/flashpoint-xplor-100-pro-r2-ttl-pocket-flash-godox-ad100pro/p/fplfx100pt
Flashpoint R2 Pro TTL Wireless Flash Trigger
adorama.com/flashpoint-ft433c-ttl-wireless-flash-trigger-canon-godox-433mhz/p/fprrft433c
Flashpoint 10' C (Century) Light Stand on Turtle Base Kit w/40" Grip Arm & 2 Gobo Heads and Baby Pin - Chrome
adorama.com/flashpoint-10-foot-c-stand-turtle-base-kit-grip-arm-chrome/p/fplsc
Glow S2 Round Flash S-type Bowens Mount Bracket for Round Head Flashes (Godox S2)
adorama.com/glow-s2-round-flash-bracket-bowens-mount-godox/p/glbdsm02pro
Glow EZ Lock 12x36" Quick Strip Rectangular Bowens Mount Softbox
adorama.com/glow-ez-lock-12-x-36-inch-quick-strip-bowens-softbox/p/glsbez1236
Flashpoint XPLOR 100 Pro R2 TTL Pocket Flash (Black) , Godox AD100pro
adorama.com/flashpoint-xplor-100-pro-r2-ttl-pocket-flash-godox-ad100pro/p/fplfx100pt
#gavinhoey #primelens #adorama
__________________________________
❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏
➥ TikTok tiktok.com/@adoramanyc
➥ Facebook facebook.com/adorama
➥ Instagram instagram.com/adorama
➥ X https://x.com/adorama
➥ Discord adorama.com/discord
❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏
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➥ Blog adorama.com/alc
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__________________________________
Follow Gavin Hoey on
instagram.com/thegavinhoey
Model: Chloe Kerley
instagram.com/chloekmodel
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
If your zoom lens already covers the focal length of a “Fast Prime”, why would you need another lens with the same focal length?
In this video, photographer Gavin Hoey explores the real-world advantages of fast prime lenses and demonstrates what actually changes when you work at wide apertures like f/1.4 compared to f/4 and f/11. Rather than focusing on brand or specific gear, this session looks at the practical reasons photographers choose fast glass and whether those reasons matter for your style of photography.
Gavin breaks his explanation into three key areas:
Low-light performance – How wider apertures allow you to maintain image quality without pushing ISO unnecessarily high and lowering image quality.
Bokeh and background rendering – Including the popular “bokeh balls” effect and how aperture size influences their look… but not how to correctly pronounce Bokeh!
Depth of field – Exploring how wide apertures create subject separation and background blur.
Through side-by-side comparisons and simple demonstrations, this video shows what really happens when you open up your lens and might help guide you into deciding whether a fast prime offers something your zoom lens simply can’t.
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:45 Fast glass in low light
1:30 Low light and high ISO
2:35 Fast glass with flash
3:35 Bokeh ball effect at bigger apertures
4:45 Photo session for bokeh backgrounds
5:25 Number 1 reason for fast glass?
6:40 Shallow depth of field photo session
7:02 Lighting a film noir cinematic set
7:30 Conclusions and Subscribe
SUBSCRIBE AND BE PART OF THE ADORAMA FAMILY:
➥ youtube.com/user/adoramaTV
__________________________________
Be the first to shop our great deals and sales by signing up for emails from Adorama! adorama.com/MyAccount/Login
🔷
Save 5% Every Day† or Special Financing* On purchases of $199+ with the Adorama Edge Credit Card. Learn More: adorama.com/g/adorama-credit.
__________________________________
✘ GEAR USED:
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED Lens for Micro Four Thirds
adorama.com/l/?searchinfo=om%20zuiko
OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II Mirrorless Camera
adorama.com/om-system-om-1-mark-ii-mirrorless-camera-body-only/p/iomom1m2
Flashpoint eVOLV 200 Pro II R2 TTL Pocket Flash , Godox AD200Pro II
adorama.com/flashpoint-evolv-200-pro-ii-r2-ttl-pocket-flash-godox-ad200pro-ii/p/fplfev200pii
Flashpoint XPLOR 100 Pro R2 TTL Pocket Flash (Black) , Godox AD100pro
adorama.com/flashpoint-xplor-100-pro-r2-ttl-pocket-flash-godox-ad100pro/p/fplfx100pt
Flashpoint R2 Pro TTL Wireless Flash Trigger
adorama.com/flashpoint-ft433c-ttl-wireless-flash-trigger-canon-godox-433mhz/p/fprrft433c
Flashpoint 10' C (Century) Light Stand on Turtle Base Kit w/40" Grip Arm & 2 Gobo Heads and Baby Pin - Chrome
adorama.com/flashpoint-10-foot-c-stand-turtle-base-kit-grip-arm-chrome/p/fplsc
Glow S2 Round Flash S-type Bowens Mount Bracket for Round Head Flashes (Godox S2)
adorama.com/glow-s2-round-flash-bracket-bowens-mount-godox/p/glbdsm02pro
Glow EZ Lock 12x36" Quick Strip Rectangular Bowens Mount Softbox
adorama.com/glow-ez-lock-12-x-36-inch-quick-strip-bowens-softbox/p/glsbez1236
Flashpoint XPLOR 100 Pro R2 TTL Pocket Flash (Black) , Godox AD100pro
adorama.com/flashpoint-xplor-100-pro-r2-ttl-pocket-flash-godox-ad100pro/p/fplfx100pt
#gavinhoey #primelens #adorama
__________________________________
❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏
➥ TikTok tiktok.com/@adoramanyc
➥ Facebook facebook.com/adorama
➥ Instagram instagram.com/adorama
➥ X https://x.com/adorama
➥ Discord adorama.com/discord
❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏
➥ Shop adorama.com
➥ Blog adorama.com/alc
➥ Adorama Events youtube.com/@AdoramaEvents
__________________________________
Follow Gavin Hoey on
instagram.com/thegavinhoey
Model: Chloe Kerley
instagram.com/chloekmodel
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
