You have found the perfect camera for your preferred photography, but now you still need to sort out lenses. It's time to find out which lenses you need. Explore the world of lenses with us, to learn more. Which lenses are there, and what do they do precisely?
Zoom lenses | Prime lenses | Wide angle lenses | Macro lenses | Telephoto lenses | Fisheye lenses | Tilt Shift lenses
A zoom lens is a terrific starter lens. This is because of its variable focal length, as you can actually zoom in with it. This function enables you to use the lens in multiple scenarios. To briefly outline a situation in which you might choose a zoom lens: you go out for the day, taking your camera with you. One minute you come across beautiful landscape, and when you go to lunch you see stunning architecture, and not forgetting the people whom you're with, who you'd like to take photos of. A zoom lens will give you optimal results in any scenario. Another bonus about zoom lenses is that they are relatively compact, which in turn is reflected in their weight. So they are easy to take with you.
A prime lens is a lens with a fixed focal length. The difference with zoom lenses is that you can't zoom in or out with a prime lens. This ensures you proactively assess your composition and depth of field. There are prime lenses in a variety of focal lengths, but to give you an idea of what distance you can use for what, we'll help you get started. The 35mm, 50mm and 85mm are versatile and suitable for everyday use, reportage, and portraits. If you plan to shoot mostly sports and wildlife, a 300mm or 500mm is recommended.
The name says it all: it's a lens that allows you to capture a wide angle of view. It is a lens that can be used for extensive purposes. For instance, urban, nature and interior photography. Wide-angle lenses usually have a focal length between 10mm and 35mm; this provides a wide angle of view that allows you to capture more in your photo. Note that the wide angle can distort straight lines, but this is easily corrected during post-processing.
Have you ever wondered how amazing photos of insects are taken? They require a macro lens. A macro lens enlarges the subject you are photographing, making it appear life-size in the photo. From a tiny ladybird to the intricate details of a flower; from the skin of a reptile to droplets of water with the sun on them. All this is possible with a macro lens. There isn't actually a specific number of recommended millimetres for the optimal focal length for macrophotography. The right distance can be determined by looking at what you want to photograph. With insects, a longer focal length is advisable as you cannot get as close up as with a flower. Conversely, if you want to capture nature, mushrooms and flowers, a shorter focal length is ideal because the subject won't elude you. What is important though, are the magnification factor and the minimum focusing distance.
Sports, wildlife, birds; with these subjects you've always got a good distance to cover from what you wish to capture. So having extensive scope is vital. By using a telephoto lens, you bring the subject closer to you. You do this to make sure you can see the details, to capture them in definition. Telephoto lenses have two varieties: telephoto lenses with a fixed focal length and telephoto zoom lenses. You can't zoom further in or out with the fixed focal length. But a telephoto zoom lens does allow you to zoom in and out.
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The fisheye lens creates a special effect in the photo: a spherical distortion. This lens is mainly used at events, on holidays or when you need to shoot in small spaces. With the fisheye lens you get a little bit more in view than with another lens, but not as much as with a wide angle lens.
Do you regularly photograph architecture and interiors? If so, the tilt shift lens is for you. Other lenses are also great for photographing architecture, but they often yield unforeseen effects, such as the feeling that the building looks spherical because of the convexity in your lens. But not with the tilt shift lens! This lens has the ability to adjust perspective using the dials, resulting in consistently straight lines. Assuming you adjust the dials correctly, of course. A tilt shift lens won't be a starter lens purchase, but it certainly is useful when you take a lot of architecture and/or interior photos!
