There are many things that determine the quality of your photography, and one of the most important is the lenses you use. A good camera lens will capture sharp photos with plenty of detail and contrast, while a poor one can leave your images looking dull and blurry.
When shopping for lenses, it's important to consider the types of subject you intend to shoot, the likely lighting conditions, and of course your budget. There is no single lens that is perfect for every situation, so you'll need to balance the pros and cons of the various options and pick the best compromise.
This guide will help you make these important decisions so that you can find a camera lens which suits all of your needs, both artistic and practical.
FOCAL LENGTH
The most important factor in any camera lens is its focal length. This determines which type of lens it is, and what subjects it will be able to photograph. Focal lengths range from just a few millimetres up to over a metre, and can be loosely grouped as follows:
TYPES OF CAMERA LENS
There are dozens of different types of lens available, designed for use in a wide range of circumstances. However, they can largely be grouped as follows:
| Focal Length | Lens Type | Common Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 8mm - 24mm | Ultra wide angle (fisheye) | Wide panoramas and skyscapes, artistic |
| 24mm - 35mm | Wide angle | Interiors, architecture, landscapes |
| 35mm - 85mm (50mm common) | Standard | General purpose |
| 85mm - 135mm | Short telephoto | Portraits, candid |
| 135mm - 300mm | Medium telephoto | Close sports, action |
| 300mm+ | Super telephoto | Far sports, wildlife, nature, astronomy |
STANDARD LENSES
The technical definition of a standard lens is one whose focal length roughly matches the diagonal or the film or image sensor. For a standard full-frame 35mm camera this gives a focal length of around 43mm.
MACRO LENSES
A macro lensis one designed especially for close-up photography. They have a different internal construction from normal lenses which gives them very good sharpness and contrast, meaning that they produce some really eye-catching photos.
Macro lenses are useful for photographing any subject at very close range. Typical subjects include insects, animals, and plants, but they are also popular for taking extremely detailed photos of everyday objects.
TELEPHOTO LENSES
A telephoto lens has a long focal length and provides a high level of magnification, allowing you to photograph subjects at a moderate to far distance. They tend to be bigger and heavier than other types of lens, although modern technological advances have made them more compact and easier to handle.
Telephoto lenses are popular for any type of photography where you can't get near to the subject, including wildlife and sports events. They are also commonly used in portrait photography, where a moderate telephoto lens will provide a natural, undistorted perspective.
WIDE ANGLE LENSES
A wide angle lens is one with a short focal length. They provide an angle of view beyond that of a standard lens, allowing them to capture more of the scene in a single shot. Extreme wide angle lenses are known as fisheye lens; these can capture around 180 degrees, making for some intriguing, almost abstract photos.
Wide angle lenses are useful for photographing landscapes, cramped interiors, and other subjects which won't fit into a normal lens's field of view. Fisheye lenses take this even further, and are popular for photographing action sports like skateboarding and surfing, where their inherent distortion gives photos a dynamic feel.
SPECIALIST LENSES
There are a number of specialist camera lenses which cater for less common photography needs. These include tilt and shift lenses for perspective control, soft-focus lenses for portrait photography, and infrared lenses for capturing light outside the normal spectrum.
A specialist lens is used to produce some sort of special or creative effect, and so they have limited use in general photography. However, they can be very useful if you need to photograph a particular subject in a particular way.
KIT LENSES
Many entry-level SLRs come bundled with one or two lenses, often called "starter" or "kit" lenses. These are good for getting you up and running quickly but they are generally very cheap, slow lenses with poor image quality.
A kit lens is great for getting to grips with your camera and figuring out what focal lengths you like using, but you should consider replacing it when your budget allows.
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