Lenses are one of the most important components in cameras. Understanding camera lenses can help add more creative control to digital photography. A photographer shooting with a canon dslr in a street understanding the camera lens. Understanding the basics of camera lenses august, 2015 in photography, really cool lenses are those mysterious pieces of gear that everyone loves to. The basics of camera lenses explained, tips on how to choose a lens for video, and examples of what different focal lengths look like. This term indicates that the camera and lens can communicate electronically to drive the focusing system inside the lens and all ef lenses have their own focusing motors built into them. Topics covered include zoom lenses, prime lenses, wide angle, mid. Offering the closest competition to canon in terms of features and technology are the nikon camera lenses.
Optical image stabilization is a feature found in both lenses and camera bodies that attempts to counteract vibrations and other tiny movements that could lead to a. For example, most digital camera lenses have a tough time taking a closeup shot when set for a wide angle. The complete guide to canons lens terms digital camera. The beauty is that most of these lenses are not that steeplypriced. What is the most important part of your slr or mirrorless camera.
Normal wide angle telephoto zoom we will be discussing them in this order. Picking out a lens for a 35mm film camera was simple because 35mm lenses capture images as you see them. Normal lens this lens is called normal because it has little if. Camera lens terms explained for beginner photographers. Learn how to master techniques like lighting and composition to create great looking photos and pump up your artistry. Actually, they are different kinds of autofocus lenses, as well. Take a leaf through understanding exposure, and youll discover more.
To figure out what angle of view a lens will provide, just multiply the cameras crop factor which should be stated in the camera specs by the lens focal length. These two lenses could not be more different, and thankfully, nikon spells it all out in the model name. Camera lenses are classified by their focal lengths, starting from a standard lens that gives roughly the same perspective. Even though the image making happens inside the camera body and on the film itself, the lens is what handles the light and determines the quality of the resulting image. The perennial dslr bestsellernow expanded with more photography tips. Youll learn not only which camera settings to use in different situations but also the reasons why. If youre like me, you like to learn by watching videos on digital photography too. It would have been nice to have read this book before buying my camera.
Introduction to the different types of camera lenses. Back in the days of film and manual focus lenses, the shutter speed was set on the camera and the aperture was set on the lens. Check out my top 3 cheap canon lens recommendations here. You can pick up some great deals on older film lenses for specialty uses like macro, or fixed lenses with large apertures often for a fraction of the price of a new. Learn to control how light from a scene gets translated into an image. There is an inherent distorting quality to a camera lens, and you have to embrace that to get your vision properly captured on film or in the. Our camera finder can help you find the right fit for your needs and lifestyle. This video teaches how to understand everything about camera lenses, which can be very difficult starting out. I shot this video to add a second way for you to get a basic understanding of camera lenses. If your camera lacks image stabilisation, you should consider a lens with the technology built into it, as this will. Updated for 2019, this guide on camera lenses will give you camera lens basics, do a comparison of lens focal lengths, cover the different types of lenses, as well as help you choose the right lens to use with different kinds of photography. But learning about interchangeable camera lenses, and all the strange arcane terminology that goes with them, can be very difficult.
If youre willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a new camera or lens, you owe. Choose lenses that give greater control over perspective minimize image noise by understanding how digital sensors work get the exposure you want even in fog, mist, or haze. An illustrated guidebook finely focused photography books 3 ebook. Lenses, at the same time, are still labelled for 35mm film cameras, unless you buy a digitalspecific lens. Official nikon photography books and dvds offer lessons and tutorials to help you improve your photography skills. It goes without saying that you want to buy a lens that will attach on your camera, and this is known as the lens mount. Choosing the right lens for the task can become a complex tradeoff. Choosing the right lens for the task can become a complex tradeoff between cost, size, weight, lens speed and image quality. A great camera is only as good as the lens youve chosen. Discusses techniques for making the most of each lens type. Understanding how your lens works allows you to make informed decisions on how to shoot in a variety of situations. Canon expert, jon lorentz, shows some examples of the amazing images you can capture with canon lenses, such as the 815mm lens.
Both are autofocus lensesthats what the af meansbut there the similarities end. Topics include the exposure triangle, metering, and depth of field. Well discuss camera lenses first because theyre the camera equipment you need for each and every shot, regardless of style. How mirrorless cameras are revolutionizing lens design. Some cameras have image stabilisation built into their bodies while others employ the technology in their lenses. You can use ef lenses on all canon eos dslr bodies, and you can also use these on canons range eos m series of mirrorless cameras via the efeos m adapter. Camera manufacturers generally make lenses with proprietry mounts which. Most canon camera lenses have amazing quality and speed. If at first you dont understand this book, keep reading it until you do, because. In real life, id just say, put on your zoom lens, set your fstop to f2.
Learn the core concepts and techniques you need to know to take better photos, from choosing the best lens for your stylistic goals to selecting the right camera settings for selection from understanding photography book. So, in a nutshell, bc you are shooting with a dx camera, dx lenses will work fine. Nikon d series are older lenses still great though. Being able to change its lenses makes the dslr one of the more versatile camera systems available. Focal length, usually represented in millimeters mm, is the basic description of a photographic lens. Finely focused photography books is a new series of books from al judge for people who prefer to study. If a camera lens is a sword, the filter is the scabbard. Selecting a new camera lens requires time and research because you have to consider several factors. Everything you need to know about camera lenses photography. Digital slr cameras and photography for dummies by david d. Now that you understand how exposure and digital data work, the next most important thing is choosing the appropriate lens to control how the image appears. Part of what can be confusing about lenses is some of the terms that are thrown around when discussing them.
The book also provides information on the history and nomenclature for a multitude of popular camera lenses and is thus a good reference for understanding. There are many types and options available based on budget and quality. This is one that you may or may not have on your lens, most newer digital lens do not have this as the aperture is set and controlled by the camera body now. The best books on photography in 2020 digital camera world.
Just know this lens designers and creators are amazingly smart. Kotaku ok, boomer girls rise to twitch fame was a perfect storm of memes and politics. The book is well organized and the author does not assume the reader has any experience beyond reading the first book in this series. The one thing you should consider is whether or not your camera needs lenses with a motor built into the lens. An illustrated guidebook finely focused photography books 3.
However, the topend canon lenses could be a tad heavy on your wallet. An illustrated guidebook finely focused photography books al judge on. Next to the camera body, camera lenses are the second most important part of your camera. Camera lens basics helpful guide to understanding camera. Take a quick and informative first step into the world of lenses with canon expert, jon lorentz, as he offers insights related to the different types of lenses, helpful tips and more. The creative use of the lens gives photography its expressive qualities they shape the way you see the world through the viewfinder. Experienced and professional photographers use toprated lens filters to safeguard the lens from dust and moisture and to enhance the photo quality. Straight forward information that is clear and concise. This is the third book of the finely focused photography books series by al judge. As you get to know your lenses, and understand the effect of focal length and aperture on the. Youll have a wealth of tips and tricks, advice, and inspiration at your fingertips in any case, dont take us too seriously on the topic of domination. Focal length focal length is the distance in millimetres from the imaging surface film or sensor and the optical centre of the lens when it is focused at infinity.
A short lens, such as a 20mm, 24mm, or a 28mm, are focal lengths for wideangle lenses that take wideangle photos. Wideangle lenses let you create photos and videos that can feel bigger and more impressive. Focal length is one such term if we are to give focal length a technical definition, it would be this. A good lens allows you to get clear, focused shots while offering the flexibility to creatively frame your subjects. Theres no point in understanding the technical side of photography if. A camera lens is a combination of different types of glasses concave, convex, concavoconvex, etc, arranged in different groups to give the sharpness of content across the image. It is not a measurement of the actual length of a lens, but a calculation of an optical distance from the point where light rays converge to form a sharp image of an object to the digital sensor or 35mm film at the focal plane in the camera. You can customize the camera by putting on mounting the lens that works best for your subject. You can see some of her work at her website, or follow her. Lets consider lens a, the more expensive lens, first. Guide books and dvds if knowledge is power then our collection of books and dvds will stand you in good stead to take over the world of image production. Understanding camera lenses canon educational articles. Now in its fifth edition, itcovers the latest technologies in the world of dslr cameras and photography to help you master the techniques that will take your digital photography.