Different camera lenses are used for different types of photography. Having a selection of lenses will allow you to choose the best one for the subject. Telephoto lenses can clearly capture a moving target at a distance, while a shorter lens gives depth of field to a landscape. It is important to match film requirements to the lens, to optimize the captured image. The aperture value should also be taken into consideration when choosing a lens and film medium for the subject you are photographing.
What is a Lens?
A camera lens is made up of several different components. Some of these components work to enhance the image by magnifying a subject at a distance, while other elements work to correct the defects created during magnification. The magnifying lens also inverts the subject image so every lens has a correction for this defect.
Types
Typically, the longer lens, the further the focal point is from the digital sensors or film plane, this creates a close-up, narrowed view. Shorter lenses place the focal point closer to the film plate or sensors, giving a more panoramic image. Shorter lenses are recommended for architecture and landscapes, while longer lengths are recommended for portraits, wildlife and sport photography.
Aperture
Another aspect of a lens is how much it can open or close to allow in light, this is referred to as the aperture or F stop. The larger the number, the more light allowed in. Lenses with large apertures are often termed faster as shutter speed can be adjusted while other elements remain the same. Objects over a varying distance can be held in focus creating depth of field using a smaller aperture.
Adjustability
A zoom lens allows you to vary the focal point distance used with the same lens. A prime lens has one set focal point distance. For the novice photographer, a zoom lens is often recommended as you get more bang for your buck, being able to take a number of types of photos with one purchase. However the quality of the lens is often not as good as the prime lens, so professionals often have an array of prime lenses, giving them the same variability with a higher degree of clarity.
Film
Each type of lens also has a film type requirement. The super close-up of a telephoto lens needs to be used in conjunction with a fast film speed. Since the field is narrow, it is hard to hold the image steady for very long. Much like using a laser pointer, any small hand movement will distort the pinpoint of the beam. Shorter lenses used for landscapes can have longer exposure time, because the subject matter is being viewed from a distance, the image remains still.
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