Camera Lenses Buying Guide
Digital point-and-shoot cameras 
may give us the utmost in convenience with a built-in camera lens, but for those looking for sharp picture quality from a range of subjects, it may be time to invest in a SLR camera that takes its own special kind of lens. We are here to help you understand which types of lenses and features are right for your needs!
Determine Your Needs
With an interchangeable camera lens, your pictures will look better, more vivid, and much more professional. Camera lenses for digital and film cameras can be classified into a few different types.
- Standard Camera Lens : This is perfect for everyday pictures, such as snapshots, travel photos, or group photos. The perspective of a standard camera lens is similar to that of the human eye.
- Wide-Angle Camera Lens : This lens is ideal for photos of landscapes, tall buildings, or outdoor scenes because it enhances the depth of the image. The lens gives you a wide range of view, offering a much larger perspective than a standard lens.
- Telephoto Camera Lens : This lens is appropriate for long-distance situations, such as sporting events, animals in nature, or distant landscapes. The opposite of the wide-angle lens, the telephoto lens narrows the image, which is important when you aren't able to get close to your subject.
- Macro Camera Lens : This lens is perfect for extreme close-up photography, ranging from pictures of coins and collectables to photos of fine details in nature. This lens allows for extremely sharp focusing at short distances.
- Fish-Eye Camera Lens : This is used for a fun and unique effect. The fish-eye lens is an extremely wide-angle lens, giving pictures a distorted image.
About Focus
There are many technical components to know when it comes to selecting the right camera lens for you.
|
|
|
|
Focal Length - This is measured in millimetres and represents the distance between the camera's optical centre and the focal plane. The lower the focal length, the wider the angle of view will be. The higher the focal length, the narrower the angle will be.
|
Zoom Lens - Cameras have either a fixed focal length or a zoom lens. A zoom lens allows you to alter the distance, going from 75mm to 300mm. You can move a ring to alter the focal length and then zoom in and out.
|
Auto Focus - These lenses will do the focusing for you automatically, providing ease and simplicity.
|
Manual Focus - Here you can manually focus the camera lens. This is great for low-lighting or for very precise focusing.
|
About Compatibility
When selecting a camera lens, you will want to be sure that you find one that is compatible with your camera type, brand, and film format.
- Many camera manufacturers produce their own camera lenses. Many times you will need to match your camera brand with your camera lens.
- It is also possible to purchase a lens from a specialised manufacturer. Lens from reputable companies such as Tamron, Sigma, and Vivitar are compatible with most camera brands.
Related Guides
External Links
- All-Things-Photography.com: A guide to camera lenses for your Digital SLR Camera.
- CNET.com: An article to help you determine what type of lens you will need, listing advantages and disadvantages for each type.
- Photographers.co.uk: A resource site for all photographers, this particular article breaks down the essentials of buying a camera lens.
