Camera & Lenses
When shopping for a new camera, you may decide to also purchase a camera lens or set of lenses, to complement the body. When choosing a camera lens, there are several factors to consider. How will you use it? How sturdy does it really need to be? What kind of lens will work with your camera? This guide will help you choose a lens for a film or digital SLR camera of any brand.
Instructions
Instructions:
1. Decide where you want to shop for your SLR camera lens. Your local photography retail store will allow you the option to touch and try out their lenses. Purchasing online may give you a better bargain than what the retail store offers. Also browse the newspaper for local photographers selling used equipment. They will often let you try before you buy.
2. Browse camera lenses made by the same company as your camera body. They should offer a series of lenses with a mount that will work specifically with your camera body. Canon, Nikon and Promaster all offer lenses dedicated to their camera bodies. Several electronics manufacturers, such a Promaster, Tamron and Sigma, also offer lenses with varying mounts.
3. Choose a durable lens. Ask the camera sales associate at your local retail store which brands they sell most. If you plan on using your camera lens on a daily, or even weekly basis, it is best to choose the name-brand lenses, such as Canon, Nikon, Fuji or Pentax. If you are a hobbyist who takes pictures on holidays but goes for months at a time without using your camera, you may want to purchase a lighter-duty lens, such as Tamron or Sigma.
4. Learn about focal length before you choose your camera lens. Some lenses have a fixed focal length, while others offer a range. These are called zoom lenses. The smaller the focal length of the lens, the wider the angle of view. For example, a 24mm lens will give you a wider view of a scene than an 80mm lens.
5. Choose a telephoto lens for taking pictures of subjects far away, such as sports and scenery. Select a wide-angle lens when taking pictures in cramped areas, or to get an overview of a scene. Mid-range zoom lenses are a great multipurpose lens that offers the ability to shoot close-ups or wide areas. Choose these lenses for an all-in-one approach.
6. Choose a macro lens for very close-up photography. Use it to capture small objects or record very fine details. Ditto the need to photograph jewelry, insects and coin collections. Use a tripod with the macro lens to stabilize your camera. This will make your photos sharper.
Tags: your camera, camera lens, focal length, retail store, your camera lens