Learn Digital Photography - Choosing a Lens For a Digital SLR

Every digital camera in the consumer price range comes with an 18-55mm lens unless it is a special bundle with another lens. The lens that you get with it is what we call a kit lens and has the quality of a very ordinary lens. It will give you good images but not great. The discussion continues as to whether it is of any use at all beyond snapshots. So what should we do when buying a lens?

Go to the photo forums and you will find a common thread that says buy the best glass that you can and then add a camera with the rest of the money. Glass is of course slang for a lens. If you get a good lens it will last you for life. It is the cameras that need upgrading. Glass also retains its value much longer than a camera.

1. Don't buy a kit

That means when buying your camera don't take it with a lens kit. Choose a body then decide on what lens you would like and not what the manufacturer would like you to have. The kit lens is designed to go with a budget camera in order to sell the cameras and not give you a great lens. All the forums will tell you that it's not made of good quality glass.

2. Buy a lens that will suit your needs

Find out what type of photography will dominate your photos, that is, if you know so soon in you photography journey. If you like landscapes then get something in the 12-20mm or 17-40mm range of zooms. If you're into wildlife then a zoom in the 100-400mm range would be important to you. Think long term when buying a lens.

3. Buy the best quality you can afford

This is the same old story that newbies are faced with. They say that what they have is sufficient for their needs, until they use a quality lens. There is no comparison. The images are of a very high quality. Don't go for a bigger camera, better camera with all the features and then a lens that does nothing for the camera. A budget camera with a pro lens is better than a pro camera with a budget lens.

The lens issue will continue for as long as there are amateurs buying new cameras. The rest of us who have purchased quality lenses know beyond a shadow of a doubt the route to go. We have experienced the pleasure of viewing an image shot with good quality glass. No amateur should buy a camera without knowing what quality glass looks like and the images it reproduces.

The decision to buy the right lens is a big one and can only be made once you have all the facts. Of course the price factor is a big one but surely if there is a reason to squeeze some extra bucks out it should be for a better lens and not a better camera.

See Also : Cheap Clothing Optional Galleries Store best sport goods store

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Cheap Best 35mm SLR Digital Camera Store