Camera Lenses

While training and experience naturally play a role in creating great photos, camera equipment is also a factor. The camera lens has a major influence on the look and feel of your final shot. So, if you’ve only used the lens that came with your DSLR camera or mirrorless camera, it is probably time to see what other kinds of camera lenses can do for you.

Prime lenses and zoom lenses are the two main categories of camera lens. Prime mirrorless lenses and prime DSLR lenses have only one focal length, such as 35mm or 70mm. Focal length affects how close or far objects appear from you and from each other, how much you can fit in your frame, and how much depth of field you have (the degrees of distance you can keep in focus).

Zoom lenses, meanwhile, include a range of focal lengths. For instance, many cameras come with a DSLR zoom lens or mirrorless zoom lens that covers 18mm-55mm. Why upgrade? The quality of your lens impacts your picture. Higher-quality lenses use better glass and fine-tuning. Often, you can find higher-quality lenses at a lower cost by investing in prime lenses instead of zoom ones.

Since lenses change the focus and framing of your picture, it makes sense that certain focal lengths frequently go with certain styles. For example, a long focal length, like a DSLR telephoto lens, will cause more of your background or foreground to be out of focus, a popular look in portraiture. Meanwhile, short focal lengths, such as a mirrorless wide-angle lens, can keep almost everything in focus.

The camera lens most similar to the human eye is the 50mm lens. The farther you move away from that focal length in either direction, the more distortion you get. For example, to include more in the frame, wide-angle lenses squeeze objects closer together, curving straight lines. This can add to the artistry of certain styles, such as architectural photography.

To take care of your lenses, you’ll want the right accessories, like a sturdy and spacious camera bag to safely stow your camera equipment. Lens filters also perform a crucial role, both as protection for your lens and as tools for creating a desired contrast, saturation or other image effect. Learn more by reviewing basic camera settings and these 10 tips for taking great photos.