| With new technology comes new opportunity. | | | | have to switch between various lenses for |
| This statement is particularly true in the case of | | | | different shots, but it is important to remember |
| digital cameras, and more importantly, as the title | | | | that not all zoom lenses have a constant |
| of this article suggests, in the case of digital | | | | maximum aperture, and those that do are often |
| camera lenses.There are so many different lenses | | | | larger and more expensive.Although the maximum |
| with varying specifications available that it can be | | | | aperture may be reduced as you zoom in using a |
| quite overwhelming to find exactly what it is that | | | | lens with a variable maximum aperture, this may |
| you require from a lens, but that is where we | | | | not be as important to some photographers as |
| step in to help.This article acts as a guide to | | | | the reduced cost and size of such lenses. Keep |
| explain the jargon and to allow you make a | | | | this in mind when purchasing a zoom lens.Add-on |
| better-informed purchase the next time you are | | | | LensesAdd-on or accessory lenses are targeted |
| shopping for a new digital camera lens.Choosing a | | | | towards compact digital cameras, and allow |
| Suitable Focal LengthFocal length is probably the | | | | owners of such models to significantly lengthen or |
| most important factor that should be considered | | | | reduce the camera's built-in focal length while at |
| when choosing a lens, and for good reason: focal | | | | the same time being able to automate camera |
| lengths determine the field-of-view of the photos | | | | functions including f/stop settings and |
| you will be able to take successfully with your | | | | focusing.These lenses can be an excellent low-cost |
| camera.The two main types of focal length are | | | | add-on to your digital camera, with telephoto |
| telephoto and wide-angle, and while telephoto | | | | add-on lenses being able to increase focal lengths |
| lenses have a narrow field-of-view and are best | | | | by up to 300%, and wide-angle versions allowing |
| suited for close-up shots and portraits, wide-angle | | | | for reduction in focal lengths of up to 30%.Final |
| lenses have a wider field-of-view which is perfect | | | | ConsiderationsThere are several other terms to |
| for indoor photography and landscapes.Keep in | | | | take into consideration when buying a digital |
| mind that the performance of lenses can differ | | | | camera lens to make sure you are making the |
| from camera to camera, with the magnification | | | | best purchase. If your lens utilizes aspheric lens |
| power behind a lens generally being greater on a | | | | elements, then you can rest happily with the |
| digital camera than on a 35mm film-based | | | | knowledge that your lens will help produce sharper |
| camera.The Need For SpeedWhen you hear | | | | photographs and help keep lens weight to a |
| about fast and slow lenses, reference is being | | | | minimum.Lenses using internal and automatic |
| made to a lens's maximum aperture, which is the | | | | focusing also keep lens weight down thanks to |
| maximum amount of light that a lens can let in. A | | | | less moving parts, and of course allow for faster |
| simple rule of thumb is that a fast lens lets in a lot | | | | focusing. Low-dispersion glass leaves photos |
| of light, while a slow lens lets in less light, which | | | | looking less hazy or fuzzy, while stabilization |
| defines how your photos will look.Maximum | | | | systems help to keep images sharp when taken |
| apertures are measured in f/stop numbers, which | | | | using slow shutter speeds.ConclusionHopefully this |
| are actually a ratio of the size of the lens | | | | article has helped you to better understand what |
| aperture and focal length. The smaller the f | | | | to look for in a digital camera lens. There are a lot |
| number, the more light is let in. An increment in | | | | of terms to remember here - so before shopping |
| the f/stop number doubles the amount of light let | | | | for your new lens it may be a good idea to take |
| in, so f/2.0 lets in twice as much light as f/1.4.This | | | | the time to make a list of what you want to do |
| may seem quite confusing at first, so the easiest | | | | with your camera. Then you can double check |
| way to make sense of it is to remember the | | | | your requirements against the features of |
| following: fast lenses are best suited towards | | | | different lenses. If you are still unsure if a lens will |
| successful photography in darker lighting | | | | cater for your needs then by all means try to |
| conditions, and slow lenses are targeted towards | | | | test it so that you can see some results before |
| photography in lighter conditions.The Ins and Outs | | | | you buy!Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on |
| of a Zoom LensUnlike a fixed-focal-length lens, a | | | | digital photography. Visit his website at for tips |
| zoom lens often gives you the diversity of a | | | | and tricks on buying digital cameras, as well as |
| range of focal lengths all rolled into a single | | | | shooting great photos. |
| adjustable lens. This can be great if you often | | | | |