Lenses

The Focal Length:

- Primary characteristic

- Defined as the distance between the lens optical centre and the camera image sensor

- Shorter focal lens provides a wider field of view but less magnification

- Measure in mm

- Displayed on lens barrel

The Lens Ratio:

- Front end of lens barrel – ratio number (1:2.8 / 1:2.5-5.6) – Max aperture of lens

- Lower max aperture indicates quality of the lens regarding brightness

- Lens with lower f number = better quality – You can do more

- Any lens that is 2.8 or lower is considered professional

Standard/normal Lens:

- Fixed focal length - 50mm/85mm/100mm

- Fairly accurate to what the human eye sees

- 35mm- film camera

- 50mm- DSLR standard

- 85mm/100 – ideal for portraits coupled with a large aperture – less distraction

Wide Angel Lens:

- Shorter focal length – 10mm-42mm

- Wide angel view

- Suitable for landscapes/group portraits

- Only way to capture complete setting without neglecting elements

- Can capture deep DOF

Telephoto Lens:

- Focal length – 100mm-800mm

- Narrow field of view

- Enables you to compress distance/sense of DOF

- Capture subjects from 100’s of feet away

- Suitable for wildlife/sport/documentary type photography

Zoom Lens:

- Variable focal length – ranging between 24mm-300mm

- Limited aperture

Fisheye Lens:

- Focal length – 7mm-16mm

- Specialised wide angel lens

- Provides extremely wide photos by changing straight lines into curves

- Circular/convex/oval photographs by distorting the perspective and creating 180 degree photos

Macro Lens:

- Focal length – 50mm-200mm

- Close up/macro photography

- Life size/larger photos of wasps/butterfly's/flowers

- Razor sharp focus

Tilt-shift Lens:

- Enables manipulation of varnishing points

- You can alter perspective – parallel lines don’t converge eliminating distortion

- Enables you to selectively focus an Image – only specific portions in and out

Image Stabilisation Lens:

- Contain a small gyro stabiliser sensor and servo – corrects camera shake

- Allows user to shoot handheld at 2-4 stops slower shutter speed