| With new technology comes new opportunity. | | | | gives you the diversity of a range of focal lengths |
| This statement is particularly true in the case of | | | | all rolled into a single adjustable lens. This can be |
| digital cameras, and more importantly, as the title | | | | great if you often have to switch between |
| of this article suggests, in the case of digital | | | | various lenses for different shots, but it is |
| camera lenses. | | | | important to remember that not all zoom lenses |
| There are so many different lenses with varying | | | | have a constant maximum aperture, and those |
| specifications available that it can be quite | | | | that do are often larger and more expensive. |
| overwhelming to find exactly what it is that you | | | | Although the maximum aperture may be reduced |
| require from a lens, but that is where we step in | | | | as you zoom in using a lens with a variable |
| to help. | | | | maximum aperture, this may not be as important |
| This article acts as a guide to explain the jargon | | | | to some photographers as the reduced cost and |
| and to allow you make a better-informed | | | | size of such lenses. Keep this in mind when |
| purchase the next time you are shopping for a | | | | purchasing a zoom lens. |
| new digital camera lens. | | | | Add-on Lenses |
| Choosing a Suitable Focal Length | | | | Add-on or accessory lenses are targeted towards |
| Focal length is probably the most important factor | | | | compact digital cameras, and allow owners of |
| that should be considered when choosing a lens, | | | | such models to significantly lengthen or reduce the |
| and for good reason: focal lengths determine the | | | | camera's built-in focal length while at the same |
| field-of-view of the photos you will be able to | | | | time being able to automate camera functions |
| take successfully with your camera. | | | | including f/stop settings and focusing. |
| The two main types of focal length are telephoto | | | | These lenses can be an excellent low-cost add-on |
| and wide-angle, and while telephoto lenses have a | | | | to your digital camera, with telephoto add-on |
| narrow field-of-view and are best suited for | | | | lenses being able to increase focal lengths by up |
| close-up shots and portraits, wide-angle lenses | | | | to 300%, and wide-angle versions allowing for |
| have a wider field-of-view which is perfect for | | | | reduction in focal lengths of up to 30%. |
| indoor photography and landscapes. | | | | Final Considerations |
| Keep in mind that the performance of lenses can | | | | There are several other terms to take into |
| differ from camera to camera, with the | | | | consideration when buying a digital camera lens to |
| magnification power behind a lens generally being | | | | make sure you are making the best purchase. If |
| greater on a digital camera than on a 35mm | | | | your lens utilizes aspheric lens elements, then you |
| film-based camera. | | | | can rest happily with the knowledge that your |
| The Need For Speed | | | | lens will help produce sharper photographs and |
| When you hear about fast and slow lenses, | | | | help keep lens weight to a minimum. |
| reference is being made to a lens's maximum | | | | Lenses using internal and automatic focusing also |
| aperture, which is the maximum amount of light | | | | keep lens weight down thanks to less moving |
| that a lens can let in. A simple rule of thumb is | | | | parts, and of course allow for faster focusing. |
| that a fast lens lets in a lot of light, while a slow | | | | Low-dispersion glass leaves photos looking less |
| lens lets in less light, which defines how your | | | | hazy or fuzzy, while stabilization systems help to |
| photos will look. | | | | keep images sharp when taken using slow shutter |
| Maximum apertures are measured in f/stop | | | | speeds. |
| numbers, which are actually a ratio of the size of | | | | Conclusion |
| the lens aperture and focal length. The smaller the | | | | Hopefully this article has helped you to better |
| f/number, the more light is let in. An increment in | | | | understand what to look for in a digital camera |
| the f/stop number doubles the amount of light let | | | | lens. There are a lot of terms to remember here |
| in, so f/2.0 lets in twice as much light as f/1.4. | | | | - so before shopping for your new lens it may be |
| This may seem quite confusing at first, so the | | | | a good idea to take the time to make a list of |
| easiest way to make sense of it is to remember | | | | what you want to do with your camera. Then |
| the following: fast lenses are best suited towards | | | | you can double check your requirements against |
| successful photography in darker lighting | | | | the features of different lenses. If you are still |
| conditions, and slow lenses are targeted towards | | | | unsure if a lens will cater for your needs then by |
| photography in lighter conditions. | | | | all means try to test it so that you can see some |
| The Ins and Outs of a Zoom Lens | | | | results before you buy! |
| Unlike a fixed-focal-length lens, a zoom lens often | | | | |