Camera Lenses: An Overview
Digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras owe much of their versatility to their interchangeable lens systems, which allow the photographer to choose the ideal lens for a specific application. Lenses are dedicated to their respective brand, and are not compatible with other camera makers; a Nikon lens will not fit on a Canon camera, for example. Virtually all of today's DSLR lenses are autofocus but also allow for manual focusing. Following is a discussion of the major types of camera lenses on the market today.
Prime Lenses
Once the industry standard, prime lenses have a fixed focal length and do not "zoom." They are preferred by purists and many professional photographers due to their superior sharpness and, in many cases, their ability to perform better in low light.
Zoom Lenses
So-called for their ability to change focal length and "zoom" in on their subject, zoom lenses offer great convenience and flexibility. The drawbacks of zoom lenses are that they are less durable due to their complexity, can be quite heavy, and they generally don't produce the same image sharpness found in prime lenses. With the exception of high-end, constant-aperture professional lenses, most zoom lenses perform poorly in low light.
Wide-Angle Lenses
Wide-angle lenses encompass focal lengths ranging from an 8mm super-wide fisheye lens to a basic 35mm lens, and are popular for their wide field of view. They are ideal for taking pictures in confined spaces or in any situation where the photographer wishes to capture a sweeping overall view.
Standard Lenses
Lenses with a focal length of 50mm are generally considered "standard" lenses since they most closely replicate the magnification and field of view of the human eye. Many macro or so-called "close-up" lenses are also made in this focal length.
Telephoto Lenses
Lenses that span the focal length from about 85mm upwards to 800mm are considered telephoto lenses. Telephoto lenses magnify the subject and have a much narrower field of view as their magnification increases. Telephoto lenses are used primarily for sports and nature photography.
Prime Lenses
Once the industry standard, prime lenses have a fixed focal length and do not "zoom." They are preferred by purists and many professional photographers due to their superior sharpness and, in many cases, their ability to perform better in low light.
Zoom Lenses
So-called for their ability to change focal length and "zoom" in on their subject, zoom lenses offer great convenience and flexibility. The drawbacks of zoom lenses are that they are less durable due to their complexity, can be quite heavy, and they generally don't produce the same image sharpness found in prime lenses. With the exception of high-end, constant-aperture professional lenses, most zoom lenses perform poorly in low light.
Wide-Angle Lenses
Wide-angle lenses encompass focal lengths ranging from an 8mm super-wide fisheye lens to a basic 35mm lens, and are popular for their wide field of view. They are ideal for taking pictures in confined spaces or in any situation where the photographer wishes to capture a sweeping overall view.
Standard Lenses
Lenses with a focal length of 50mm are generally considered "standard" lenses since they most closely replicate the magnification and field of view of the human eye. Many macro or so-called "close-up" lenses are also made in this focal length.
Telephoto Lenses
Lenses that span the focal length from about 85mm upwards to 800mm are considered telephoto lenses. Telephoto lenses magnify the subject and have a much narrower field of view as their magnification increases. Telephoto lenses are used primarily for sports and nature photography.
