A camera without a lens is a lot like a canoe without a paddle. You can still use it (sort of), but you’re not getting the most out of it. It’s nowhere near as much fun either. But where do you start if you want to get one? Well, that really depends on the kind of photos you want to take.
The world of lenses can be a bit of a photo-based minefield though. Telephoto. Pancake. Wide-angle. There’s a lot to get your head around. So, we’re here to help you find the best camera lens for your DSLR or mirrorless camera. And to make sure your next batch of photos are picture perfect.
What is a camera lens?
Let’s start simple. A camera lens fits onto the front of your camera and is made up of a few different parts. When you take a photo, these parts work together to direct and focus rays of light – recreating whatever you’ve snapped as accurately as it can on the camera’s digital sensor.
But lenses come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. And each one is good for something different…
Telephoto lenses
Regularly snapping stuff that’s far away? A telephoto lens is perfect for nailing shots at a distance. And that’s because of its extra zoom and multiple narrow points of focus. You’ll easily be able to pick out that bird sat on a distant tree branch. Or the boats sailing off the coast while on holiday.
If you’re into your sport, you’ll have seen loads of these – from the football pitch to the tennis court. The photographers crammed round the edges use them to capture all those must-see moments. And because of their range, they can do it from the other end of the stadium. You’d think that being far from the players would mean less detail, right? Wrong. Telephoto lenses can easily pick out the names and numbers on their shirts as they wheel away to celebrate. Making it seem like they’re sat way closer than they actually are.
If you prefer travelling light, it’s worth mentioning though that some can be pretty large and bulky. So, you’ll need to think carefully when you’re packing your kit for your next shoot. Carrying a camera and lens backpack can be heavy work after all.
Wide-angle lenses
Wide-angle lenses are almost the exact opposite to telephoto ones. Instead of focusing in on a specific point, these are better at fitting more into your frame. Think landscape photography – whether that’s out in nature, or a more urban setting. Each bit of the photo should be nicely in focus too.
Standard lenses
These are the jack of all trades of the camera world. They’ll usually have a focal length between 35mm and 85mm. Lenses with this kind of zoom means they’re as good at taking wide angle shots, as they are at capturing the super close ones. Hence the name ‘standard’.
What is focal length?
Lens focal length just means how much of a scene your camera is going to capture. And how big certain parts of your shot will be in it. A short focal length gives you a wider view and less of a zoom. While a longer focal length offers a bigger zoom and a narrower view.
Pancake lenses
Like the name suggests, pancake lenses are small, flat, and really lightweight – making them perfect for travelling. Just don’t try to eat them.
Their compact shape helps a lot with the balance of your camera. Because there’s less weight on the front, you’ll have a more stability while you snap away. And because it keeps your camera nice and light, you can shoot for even longer without things getting uncomfortable. Trust us, your neck and back will thank you later.
Hear us out with this one too – they’re great because they force you to move. Because they don’t zoom, you’ll have to move about to get the perfect shot. Which means you’ll have to experiment with your angles and subjects. Like they say, limitation breeds creativity.
Macro lenses
Ready for your close-up? Because a macro lens sure is. Their special design lets them create razor sharp images, even from point blank range. That makes them the best camera lens for nature photography. It’ll easily capture the small details of all manner of creepy crawlies.
How to clean a camera lens
It’s really important to keep your camera lenses in good condition too. That’s where a camera lens cleaning kit comes into its own. Cleaning your lenses every so often will help to keep your shots nice and sharp. If a lens is dirty, you’ll get a muddy looking photo. And no serious photographer wants that.
To clean a camera lens, you’ll need:
An air blower
A brush with a soft bristle
A microfibre cloth or cleaning wipe
Lens cleaning solution
And here’s what you’ll need to do:
Get rid of as much dirt as possible with the air blower and brush
Put a few drops of cleaning solution onto your wipe or cloth
Moving in a circle, wipe the lens starting from the outside heading inwards
Following these tips should help to get rid of dust, dirt, smudges, and fingerprints. Basically, everything you don’t want on your lenses.
What are camera lens filters?
Camera lens filters are circular (in rare cases square) panels of glass that attach to the front of your lens. You use them to block – or filter out – different types of light and colour. Either stopping both completely or reducing the amount that finds its way into your camera. Adding a filter will affect how your photos end up looking. Think of them as the physical version of your digital photo editing software.
Here are some of the most popular types:
Polarising filters – reduces haze and reflections while boosting colour saturation. They’re used a lot by landscape photographers as everything from the sea to the sky becomes more vivid
Neutral Density filters – kind of like a volume control but for light. Lowering the level of light that goes through your camera lens lets you shoot stuff easily, even in places where there’s harsh lighting
Graduated neutral density filters – this filter has a darkened section at the top. The rest of it is transparent. So, part of your frame will be darker, while the rest stays normal. Perfect for making that dark sky look even moodier than it already is
Got some more camera-based questions? Then head to ShopLive. Our photography experts can zoom through the best cameras and lenses for you. Plus, you won’t even have to leave your sofa.
