Basic knowledge about lens types and how to choose a lens – showing recommended lenses for beginners!

Photography enthusiasts often find themselves bewildered by the variety of DSLR camera lenses or mirrorless camera lenses and technical terminology after purchasing a DSLR or mirrorless camera. This guide aims to demystify common photographic terms, explore the unique features of various lens types, and offer advice on selecting appropriate lenses for specific scenarios. By grasping these fundamentals, you'll gain a clearer understanding of each lens's advantages and limitations.

The key things you should know before choosing a lens

Camera enthusiasts employ various digital photography lenses when using DSLR or mirrorless cameras. To differentiate between these lenses effectively, one must first become familiar with the terminology describing lens properties. This discussion will delve into the meanings of these essential terms.

Focal length and angle of view

Focal length measures the distance between the lens's principal point and the camera's image sensor or film. Shorter focal lengths result in smaller object appearance and wider viewing angles, while longer focal lengths produce larger object appearance and narrower viewing angles. The angle of view describes the breadth of a lens's capture range. Wide-angle lenses, characterized by short focal lengths, offer expansive angles of view, capturing broad scenes. Conversely, telephoto lenses feature long focal lengths, providing narrow angles of view and the ability to magnify distant subjects.

F-number (aperture)

Aperture, also known as F-number, quantifies the light admitted through a lens into the camera. It's derived by dividing the focal length by the lens's effective diameter.

The formula is: F-number (F) = focal length (f) ÷ lens effective diameter (D).

Lower F-numbers allow more light entry and create a shallower depth of field, resulting in bokeh (blurred areas) before and after the focused subject. Conversely, higher F-numbers (referred to as "stopping down") restrict light entry, producing darker images but extending the depth of field, thus increasing the in-focus range around the subject.

Sensor size

Image sensor size denotes the dimensions of the component that transforms light from the lens into electrical signals. This size significantly impacts image quality and performance. Mirrorless cameras primarily use two sensor types: full-frame and APS-C. Attaching an APS-C lens to a full-frame camera may cause vignetting – a darkening or obscuring effect at image edges and corners. Thus, it's crucial to select lenses compatible with your camera's sensor size. Some full-frame camera models offer the flexibility to switch between full-frame and APS-C modes automatically.

What is full-frame?

The full-frame sensor size is the same as 35mm film, specifically 36mm × 24mm. Full-frame cameras can capture photos with high image quality and feature an extensive lineup of available lenses. As a note, if you attach a full-frame telephoto lens or best apsc mirrorless lens to an APS-C camera, it will become more telephoto by 1.5x (approximately).

What is APS-C?

APS-C refers to a sensor size that is one step smaller than a full-frame sensor. The size is around 23.6mm × 15.8mm. An advantage of Best APS-C Camera lens is the extensive lineup of compact and lightweight models that are easy to carry around, matching the compact size of APS-C cameras.

Mount

A mount is an adapting part that connects a camera body to a lens. The mount not only plays the role of physically connecting the camera body and the lens but also exchanges electronic information. For this reason, the mount system varies by camera manufacturer. When choosing a lens, you need to select one that matches the lens mount of your camera.

Meanings of lens name and reading lens information

Lens names encapsulate crucial information about their characteristics and functionality. Understanding these terms is essential for photographers. Let's examine the "150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD" lens as an example. The "150-500mm" denotes the focal length range, while "F/5-6.7" indicates the F-number range. Post-F-number letters signify autofocus type and VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism, with notations varying by manufacturer. Additional information may include series or model names like "SP" and "Model A057," or the lens mount type. Focal lengths are always expressed in millimeters (mm), with prime lenses displaying a single value instead of a range. While this overview provides a general guide to interpreting lens names, specific details may differ across manufacturers and lens types. Therefore, it's vital to thoroughly review the specifications of your equipment.

Let’s learn about the difference between a “zoom” and a “prime” lens!

Lenses come in two types: zoom lenses and prime lenses, depending on whether the focal length can be changed or not. Let’s start by properly understanding what is meant by zoom lens and prime lens, respectively.

What is a zoom lens?

Lens Used: 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD (Model A067)

Zoom lenses offer variable focal lengths within a single unit. For instance, a 50-400mm zoom lens allows users to adjust the focal length anywhere between 50mm and 400mm, modifying the angle of view accordingly. The primary advantage of zoom lenses is their versatility, enabling photographers to tackle diverse subjects and scenarios with just one lens.

What is a prime lens?

Prime lenses feature a fixed focal length. For instance, a 35mm prime lens captures images solely at a 35mm angle of view. Adjusting the composition requires physically moving closer to or farther from the subject. They typically offer lower F-numbers (larger apertures), enabling superior bokeh effects. However, the lack of zoom necessitates careful positioning relative to the subject. Many photographers opt to carry both zoom and prime lenses for versatility. Their compact size, lighter weight, and favourable cost-to-performance ratio further contribute to their appeal especially to those who have restricted themselves to genre and works with a very limited range of angle of view.

What is a portrait photo?

Portrait photography centres on human subjects, with compositions ranging from facial close-ups to full-body images. While prime and telephoto lenses are frequently employed to create background blur (bokeh), an alternative approach utilizes portrait lens to juxtapose the subject against expansive scenery. This technique allows the individual to stand out within a broader context.

What is a snap photo?

"Snap" is a related term, originating from the English word "snapshot," denoting spontaneous photographs that capture fleeting moments in everyday settings. These images aim to preserve natural, unposed scenes. In contrast, portraits typically involve deliberate composition and subject positioning. While snaps embrace casual spontaneity without adhering to formal photographic conventions, portraits are generally more planned and structured in their approach.

Lens Types

Lenses come in many different types. The main types are wide-angle lenses, standard lenses, telephoto lenses, and macro lenses. Here we will give detailed explanations about each lens.

Wide-angle lenses

Wide-angle lenses in SLR and mirrorless cameras have a focal length of 35mm or less for full-frame cameras, providing a broad angle of view. These lenses are known for their large depth of field, ensuring the background remains in focus.

By emphasizing perspective, wide-angle lenses make the background appear farther away than it actually is. They are ideal for capturing landscapes, architecture, groups, and other scenes where a wide view is essential. These lenses are especially useful for photographing subjects that are too large to capture fully with a standard lens.

There are different types of wide-angle lenses, including ultra wide-angle lenses, which offer an even broader view than standard wide-angle lenses, and fisheye lenses, which can capture a 180-degree field of view.

Standard lenses

A standard lens offers an angle of view that closely matches human vision. For full-frame cameras, this typically means a focal length of around 45mm. Because these lenses produce a view similar to what you see with your own eyes, they make it easy to compose and frame shots.

Their ease of use makes standard lenses versatile and suitable for various subjects. Additionally, standard zoom lenses, which cover a range from wide-angle to medium-telephoto, are often included with camera bodies as kit lenses.

Telephoto lenses

Telephoto lenses, with a long focal length (typically 75mm or more for full-frame cameras), have a narrow angle of view, allowing distant subjects to be magnified. Due to their shallow depth of field, they create a smooth bokeh effect by blurring the background. The compressed perspective makes the subject and background appear closer together, a phenomenon known as the compression effect.

These lenses are ideal for scenarios where the photographer cannot physically get close to the subject, such as in sports or wildlife photography. Additionally, telephoto lenses can produce dynamic portrait shots with a strong, blurred bokeh background by leveraging the compression effect.

Ultra-telephoto lenses

Ultra-telephoto lenses, with a focal length of 300mm or more, offer even greater magnification than telephoto lenses, allowing for powerful zooming from a distance. These lenses are ideal for capturing fine details of distant subjects, such as the top of a tall building that you cannot approach closely. They are also extensively used for photographing shy wildlife, including birds, foxes, squirrels, and insects.

These lenses create stronger compression effects than standard telephoto lenses, making them useful for pulling in distant elements of cityscapes or taking dynamic shots that include both mountain ranges and urban landscapes in the same frame.

Macro lenses

A macro lens is a specialized lens designed for close-up photography with high magnification. These lenses can significantly enlarge small subjects, making them ideal for capturing fine details. A macro lens typically has a short Minimum Object Distance (MOD) and a maximum magnification ratio ranging from 0.5x to 1x (1:1 magnification).

With a macro lens, you can capture detailed views of subjects like the veins of leaves and flowers, reflections in water droplets, insects, and other small objects. Macro lenses come in various types, including wide-angle macro lenses with short focal lengths, standard macro lenses with moderate focal lengths, and telephoto macro lenses with longer focal lengths.

How to choose the right lens for the image you want to capture

One of the most rewarding aspects of using an interchangeable lens camera is selecting appropriate lenses for various subjects. When making this choice, three key factors should be taken into account.

1. Match lens characteristics to subject and scene

Lens selection should be guided by the nature of your subject and the shooting environment. Wide-angle lenses excel at capturing expansive landscapes, while telephoto lenses are ideal for distant subjects. Consider your photographic intent—the subject, location, and desired perspective—and choose a lens that aligns with these goals. The lens's focal length and other features should complement your creative vision and practical requirements.

2. Evaluate lens functionality and features

Consider lens capabilities such as autofocus (AF), vibration compensation (VC), and weather resistance in relation to your anticipated shooting conditions. Envision your typical shooting scenarios: Will you be carrying equipment for extended periods? How will lighting conditions vary, including low-light situations? Are your subjects likely to be static or in motion? Might you need to shoot in inclement weather? These factors should inform your lens selection, ensuring that features like AF speed, image stabilization, and environmental sealing align with your practical needs and shooting style.

3. Factor in lens portability and ergonomics

The physical attributes of a lens—its size and weight—significantly impact the overall handling of your camera system. These characteristics affect both the ease of transportation and your ability to maneuver while shooting. For extended photography sessions or when traveling, compact and lightweight lenses offer distinct advantages in terms of convenience and comfort.

Let's now explore lens recommendations for specific photographic scenarios.

Recommended lenses for beginners

For novice photographers, beginning with a standard zoom lens, is advisable. This approach allows you to experiment with various subjects, developing an intuitive understanding of the lens's strengths and limitations. As you progress, consider expanding your lens collection based on your evolving interests:

1. For expansive scenes like landscapes, explore wide-angle lenses with focal length like 17-28mm, 20-40mm, 17-50mm etc.
2. For sports events or portraits, look into telephoto lenses like 35-150mm,70-180mm, 50-300mm and 70-300mm etc.
3. To achieve pronounced bokeh or excel in low-light conditions, opt for lenses with lower F-numbers (fast apertures) like 35-150 F/2-2.8, 28-75 F/2.8 etc.
4. An all-in-one zoom lens, covering wide-angle to telephoto ranges, is an excellent step up from standard lenses, offering versatility in a single package. For an example: 28-200mm F/2.8-5.6 or 35-150mm F/2-2.8 offering versatile uses in one lens.

When selecting lenses, prioritize lightweight options for easier handling. Additionally, beginner-friendly features like built-in Vibration Compensation (VC) can significantly enhance your shooting experience.

Lenses ideal for portraits

While 85mm prime lenses are often favoured for portrait photography but a telephoto zoom can be a more versatile option that can accommodate various compositions – from wider shots including background context to close-up facial expressions and one-quarter headshots. Telephoto lenses can create striking portraits with their capacity for beautiful background blur (bokeh). Use of prime telephoto lenses in confined spaces can be challenging, as the limited shooting distance results in subjects appearing overly large in the frame, complicating composition, however a telephoto zoom can resolve this issue easily. Consequently, telephoto zoom lens for portraiture offers some versatility to be utilized in outdoor settings, spacious indoor locations and sometime even at confined spaces too.

Lenses suited to landscape photography

For landscape photography, wide-angle zoom lenses are particularly advantageous, offering expansive coverage with impressive detail and freedom of changing focal lengths to increase your creativity and controlling distortion possibly. Their broad angle of view allows for the capture of sweeping vistas. Additionally, wide-angle lenses accentuate perspective, creating images with a pronounced sense of depth. Wide angle lenses come with a caveat: their short focal length can lead to distortion of human subjects, who may appear disproportionately small or misshapen within the frame however using a wide-angle zoom instead of wide-angle prime is a wise advice so that you can control these issues to an extent by changing focal length whenever possible. When composing shots that include both landscapes and people, careful consideration of subject placement and correct focal length choice is crucial. Thus, wide-angle zoom lenses provide more utility and control compared to wide-angle prime lenses.

Good lenses for sports

The optimal lens for sports photography varies based on the specific scenario. Often, there's considerable distance between the photographer and the action. For closeups of individual athletes from afar, a telephoto lens is ideal. Conversely, to capture the overall ambiance of the venue, a wide-angle lens is preferable. This broader perspective conveys the atmosphere and immerses viewers in the event thus it is logical to go for a telephoto zoom lens that can provide you flexibility to capture the different perspective. The key is to strategically employ two or three different zoom lenses to best suit your shooting objectives and the particular dynamics of the sporting event.

Examples:

Lenses suitable for shooting birds and other wildlife

Wildlife photography, particularly of birds, presents unique challenges due to the subjects' wariness and often inaccessible habitats. Animals typically flee at close human approach, while terrain may limit proximity to subjects. These constraints make ultra-telephoto lenses invaluable, allowing for detailed captures from considerable distances. Lenses with focal lengths ranging from 300mm to 500mm enable photographers to produce impactful images while maintaining a respectful and practical distance from wildlife. This approach not only yields compelling shots but also minimizes disturbance to the animals in their natural environment.

Understand the characteristics of the lens and use it well!

Achieving desired photographic results hinges on a thorough understanding of lens characteristics and their appropriate application to various subjects. Each lens type offers distinct advantages and limitations, necessitating thoughtful selection based on specific shooting scenarios. Crucial to this process is not only comprehending the unique attributes of individual lenses but also grasping technical concepts such as F-number and sensor size. This knowledge empowers photographers to make informed decisions, optimizing their equipment choices for each photographic opportunity.

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