Hoag
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Actually, when dealing with lenses, a prime lens simply means that it is a lens with a fixed focal length as opposed to a zoom. When I do landscape or astrophotography, I will use a wide, fast prime such as a 14mm f/1.8. I know people who shoot birds in flight or aviation who use a telephoto prime such as a 400mm f/2.8 or even a 600mm f/4. (By that time, the lens costs almost as much as a good used car, but that is a different issue.) Whether it is a 14mm f/1.8 or a 600mm f/4, both are prime lenses.Prime also often means "standard focal length," i.e. the lens is about the diagonal of the frame, so 50mm for standard 35mm equivalent. 50mm is too long u/w; 28 is better, 17 or 24 even better.
The term "prime" has nothing to do with a specific focal length, only that the lens has a fixed focal length.