Digital Camera Lens

Factors to Consider When Buying a Digital Camera Lens

By David Urmann & Tim Gorman

Digital Cameras Lens

Purchasing a DSLR or Digital Single Lens Reflex camera comes with a basic kit lens that could give decent quality pictures. There are powerful zoom lenses or macro lenses, for example.

The Glass Focal Length - It is the actual distance in-between the focal lane of the lens and the rear element, measured in millimeters (mm). This is where the light’s parallel beams enter the lens converging onto a point.

Aperture - It is one of the mechanisms that control the actual “amount of light” passing through the lens towards the image sensors. It is also referred as “f-stops,” like f/2/8.

Image Stabilization - Slower shutter speed can result to blurry photos when cameras are handheld. Image stabilization counteracts the shaking, allowing one to shoot certain handheld shots amidst low lighting conditions.

Zoom lenses included in a variety of DSLR kits offer focal lengths ranging from 18 to 35mm. Depending on the cropping capability of the camera, it can reach up to 55mm.

If you have plans of expanding your digital cameras features, here are some things you need to consider:

Prime Lenses - These should possess a longer type of zoom lens or a lone focal length between 35mm up to 85mm. Prime lenses also possess a wider type of maximum aperture, making it easier to get sharper shots, especially under low lighting.

Zoom Lenses - For those wishing to get action photos, the best would be the “telephoto lens” which ranges from 100mm up to 300mm.

Tips for Choosing The Right Digital Camera Lens

Selecting the right lens is critical when purchasing a digital camera. Basically, lenses can be categorized this way: fixed focal length, retractable zoom, fixed zoom and interchangeable lenses.

Fixed focal length lenses are the cheapest and simplest to use. Fixed focal length lenses can’t zoom in distant objects and they don’t accept converters. A retractable zoom lens gives you a very compact digital camera style while fully protecting the lens.

A fixed zoom lens will accept converters, filters and flash rings. A fixed zoom lens allows a magnification of up to 12x. Fixed zoom lenses offer advanced and precise zoom and manual focus controls through rings on the lens instead of buttons.

If you already own lenses for a traditional film camera, you can usually find a digital camera with a compatible SLR body, and complete your Digital Camera Lens.