A photographic lens is used to focus the light onto film or a digital sensor. Many cameras have interchangeable lens systems, allowing the photographer to choose the type of lens to use.
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2answers
26 views
Lens won't focus except in video mode, and makes a funny noise: what's wrong?
My 18-55mm AF-S Nikkor lens seems to be faulty. It makes a funny noise when it tries to focus and can only focus at a close distance, not at a long distance. The shutter is very sluggish and slow. It ...
5
votes
2answers
94 views
How can I check for damage to my lens from impact with a window?
I was taking a photo at an airport when I accidentally zoomed my Canon SX40HS into a window. The impact wasn't super hard, but there was a thump. I cannot see any visible damage, but how can I check ...
0
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2answers
86 views
How do I choose between 24-70 f/4 and 24-105 f/4 Canon lens?
I am getting a new medium range zoom lens for general use and occasional weddings. This new 24-70 f4 was top of my list until I watched this review:
Canon 24-70 f/4L IS vs Canon 24-105 f/4 IS - ...
2
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2answers
72 views
Does high reflectiveness of digital sensor lead to poor lens performance?
I Googled film vs dslr and found an article from 2007 that said:
Digital sensor has higher reflectiveness than film. The light bouncing back from sensor will cause flare and lead to poor optical ...
4
votes
3answers
267 views
Why are there no digital cameras with ultra-bright integrated lenses, like f1.0, f1.2 or even f1.4?
One would think that with smaller sensors vs. film, it would be much cheaper to build an ultra bright lens. It's easy to find superzooms, 20X or 35X, but I have not been able to find a camera with a ...
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2answers
54 views
Why would I use a rear gelatin filter over a front filter?
Lenses such as the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM offer rear gelatin filter holders, but also accept front filters via a 77mm screw on type. If I was using a circular polarizer, I would need to put it on ...
4
votes
4answers
160 views
How to learn to predict which lens to use between a 14-42mm and 40-150mm?
I am a beginner who has bought Olympus EP-3 and it is my first camera with interchangeable lenses. My two lenses are: M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 II R and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm 1:4.0-5.6 ...
6
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7answers
804 views
How does the Canon EF-S 15-85 IS USM compare to the EF 24-105mm L as an all-around lens?
I am looking for a upgrade from my kit lens to a lens with much more potential, a lens that would be an all-rounder for me.
After some research I ended up with these two in the final list:
Canon ...
1
vote
2answers
85 views
How do I choose among the following lens of 55-250 IS, 70-300 IS and VS 75-300?
Sorry by this specific question, but I'm pretty crazy here looking for a difference.
I've got to buy a lens tomorrow (I leave my country in 2 days)
I could see the difference between 55-250 and ...
0
votes
1answer
146 views
What Nikon cameras is a Sigma AF-k lens compatible with?
I was recently given a Sigma AF-k lens and told it was Nikon compatible. I am trying to get a better handle of what the AF-k stands for. I have both a Nikon F4s and a D5100 that I use and not ...
13
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2answers
4k views
What's the difference between a regular lens and a macro lens? [duplicate]
What is the difference between a 100mm lens and 100mm macro, or 50mm and 50mm macro?
Can we use a macro lens to shot portraits? If yes, what focal length is the best? Please suggest a Canon macro ...
5
votes
7answers
6k views
Why is my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 giving me an fEE error?
I have a AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8. When I have the aperture setting on the lens to 22 I can take photos. But when I change the dial to anything other than 22(lowest f/stop) then I get a flashing fEE ...
1
vote
1answer
46 views
How to fix a zoom lens that is sticky at a particular focal length?
I have the Canon 18-55mm lens. When I zoom out from 55mm to 18mm, the lens works fine until 22mm, where it seems to be stuck and you must then use a bit more force. I saw in many sites that this is ...
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3answers
53 views
Standard zoom lens recommendation [closed]
Am planning to buy a zoom lens for my upcomming trip.I have Canon650D and Tokina 11-16 lens with me .My clicks mainly involve landscape, architecture.
I want to know out of the below lens which I one ...
2
votes
4answers
626 views
Beginner lens decision [duplicate]
I'm about to buy a Nikon D3100 and can't decide which kit lens I should pick.
On the one hand there is the standard AF-S 18-55mm VR lens and on the other hand the AF-S 18-105mm VR.
A bit more zoom ...
4
votes
3answers
225 views
Lens Cleaner Recommendations
What is, in your opinion, the best lens cleaner? Which do you think is the most effective/best value for your money/most easy to use, etc.
Please include advantages/disadvantages as well as price and ...
0
votes
2answers
164 views
Is it the lens or is it the camera producing a black blob on every photo?
Is it the lens or is it the camera producing a black blob on every photo? How can I tell which is at fault? It is a used Nikon camera kit I have just purchased and there is only one lens so I can't do ...
6
votes
1answer
95 views
What is Power Focus on a Canon lens?
A few of the most recent Canon telephoto lenses a feature called "Power Focus" or PF. What is the purpose of the setting and does it benefit photography at all?
I have found the following lenses ...
96
votes
3answers
16k views
What do all those cryptic number and letter codes in a lens name mean?
Then looking at a lens name there is a lot of acronyms in the name describing it's features (often specific to the manufacturer).
Examples, Nikon:
Nikon AF-S DX 16-85mm VR f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED
Nikon ...
2
votes
4answers
117 views
Noob photographer, seeking help for day-to-day lens
I have just started taking interest in photography and after reading through couple of blogs I decided to purchase Cannon T2i as a beginner camera. It came with 2 lenses
18-55 (I don't remember rest ...
2
votes
6answers
945 views
Is small sensor always a bad thing?
I own a DSLR. I want to buy some not-too-expensive compact, and there are a lot of compacts in the range 100-250$ with 1/2.3" sensors.
Can such a sensor/camera set give a quality somewhat comparable ...
4
votes
1answer
83 views
Is there any difference in the glass between Zeiss cine and photo lenses?
I've heard that the Zeiss cine lenses (Compact Primes, Ultra Primes, etc...) are just rehoused ZE/ZF.2 lenses. Are there any differences in the glass between their lenses of same focal length (i.e. ...
10
votes
5answers
396 views
What are the different focal lengths of macro lenses and their advantages?
I am interested in macro-photography. I see there are macro telephoto (zoom?) lenses (e.g. 200mm), or smaller macro lenses (e.g. 40mm) ...
What are the different types of macro lenses and their ...
0
votes
2answers
53 views
How do you remove the Canon 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM Tripod Collar?
I was wondering if anybody has any knowledge on the tripod collar on the 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM. I have an application where the collar needs to be removed to mount the lens in a rig. With other ...
0
votes
1answer
75 views
Can someone give me an. Example of when you would want to stop down? I do this manually? I just purchased a Canon 3Ti with a Canon 18-200 lens [duplicate]
Can someone give me an. Example of when you would want to stop down? Do I do this manually? I just purchased a Canon 3Ti with a Canon 18-200 IS lens. We will be shooting outdoor sporting events also ...
0
votes
0answers
81 views
Why is buying lens so satisfying? [closed]
There's something addictive about buying lens. The enjoyment I get out of a new lens purchase is unparalleled to anything else. Why is that?
It's not the same as other collection hobbies (stamp ...
4
votes
2answers
157 views
How to loosen a Canon 75-300 lens (zoom ring is quite stiff to turn)
My new Canon EF 75-300mm telephoto lens and the zoom ring is quite stiff. Is the lens faulty or is there a way to loosen it up?
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0answers
2k views
Are Canon T2i lenses usable with 5D Mark II cameras? [duplicate]
I presently own a Canon EOS t2i and I am looking to purchase the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Are all my lenses compatible?
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0answers
72 views
What are the qualities of a good macro lens? [duplicate]
What are the qualities and technical specifications of a good macro lens? I need a Macro lens (micro for nikon) to shoot insects (for scientific researches) and other small objects. These are the ...
4
votes
3answers
181 views
How do they come up with focal lengths for lenses?
There are a lots of lenses for each camera and I understand that each lens caters to a different use case but my question is on how they arrive at these numbers.
For eg: there are prime lenses which ...
3
votes
4answers
280 views
How is it possible to have shallow depth of field with a small aperture? (The tele-macro paradox.)
Some longer tele lenses have a macro mode that allows for really shallow depth of field that have a lot of background melting when using relatively narrow apertures; like f/4.5-6. I have tried and ...
14
votes
11answers
2k views
Will a 50mm f/1.8 work for general outdoor photography?
I want to know if it's advisable to use 50mm lens for general outdoor photography. I'm torn between 35mm and 50mm primes, and have read all the pros and cons. I understand that 50mm could be tight in ...
5
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1answer
286 views
Colored powder in a lens: will it need a cleaning?
I was taking photos of people playing Holi. Some of the powdered colour landed on the lens of my Canon Powershot S95, and in the groove of the flash housing. By lens, I mean the cylindrical part that ...
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votes
2answers
1k views
What type of effects can I obtain with UV, FLD, CPL filters if any?
Can someone give me examples and show the difference. I obtained these from amazon. I have played with them for a little while and I am not impressed/bought yet.
UV filter has no affect other than ...
3
votes
4answers
248 views
Why do Canon EF and EF-S lenses exhibit the same crop factor?
I have a Canon 7D, which has a crop factor of 1.6x.
When using a Canon EF-S lens I get the focal length stated on the lens, when using a Canon EF lens I get the focal length times 1.6 when used on ...
2
votes
1answer
65 views
Nikon Lens Warranty explanation
I want to purchase a good lens of about $1K from Nikon (the 18-300mm lens for example) and I have a few quick questions about the Nikon Lens warranty. I researched online extensively and it seems ...
0
votes
1answer
100 views
Which Canon should I buy? [closed]
I've done photography for some months now. I always borrowed an Canon 600D from a friend.
Now I got a job as a party and concert photographer. (I need to use an external flash of course.)
I'm just ...
4
votes
3answers
229 views
Would it be better to use a 35mm prime instead of a 50mm prime on a cropped sensor body?
It's said that 50mm is close to what the human eye sees and is a very versatile focal length in general, especially good for street photography which is what I'm most interested in. That being the ...
2
votes
1answer
103 views
If I want soft focus, should I get the Canon 135mm soft focus lens or do it in Photoshop?
I always read that when possible it's best to "get things right in camera" which I always aim for - so following that line of thinking, would it be worthwhile to get the Canon 135mm f/2.8 soft focus ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
Is it better to upgrade Canon 18-55mm IS kit lens to the 18-200mm, or complement with 55-250mm?
I currently have the Canon EOS 550D with the 18-55mm IS kit lens. I am primarily looking for greater telephoto reach, as I have found the 55mm length to be quite limiting at times. So, I was ...
3
votes
2answers
273 views
Why prefer the 18-55mm and 55-250mm lenses vs 18-200mm?
There seems to be a preference for to have the
18 mm - 55 mm
55 mm - 250 mm
lenses, but no mention of why they're better than a single 18-200mm. Could someone please explain why the two separate ...
7
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5answers
427 views
Why not have the diaphragm in camera body instead of the lens?
Why is the diaphragm to control the amount of light entering the camera typically in the lens and not the camera body itself?
2
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3answers
1k views
Why does my Nikkor 12-24mm lens vignette on my Nikon D800?
I have a Nikon D800 and am using a Nikon 12-24mm lens with it. When completely zoomed out it produces a vignette that I don't particularly care for. I've never seen this with my other Nikon DSLRs ...
10
votes
6answers
650 views
Do lenses lose sharpness when they age?
I was reading this answer where it mentions, "..it's a lens that can lose sharpness as it ages.." and was wondering if this is true and if yes, true for all lenses. Reasons as to why this happens and ...
5
votes
3answers
238 views
For MTF, why does 10 represent contrast while 30 represent resolution?
I'm trying to learn to read MTF charts. Everything is making sense to me, except why most explanations of MTF will refer to the 10 l/mm line as a measure of contrast while referring to the 30 l/mm ...
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0answers
7 views
Digital video cameras optical zoom vs lenses [migrated]
If you read at digital video cameras specifications, you will probably read that camera has 20x optical zoom or even greater.
If you compare this camera with my Nikor 18-200 lens, the lens itself is ...
0
votes
3answers
491 views
70-200mm lens: Canon or Sigma? f/2.8 or f/4?
I was thinking of buying a Canon EF 70-200m f2.8 mk1 (I would love to buy mk2 but here's a noticable difference in price, at least in my country), but after awhile I came to the conclusion that this ...
6
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3answers
277 views
Why are Zeiss lenses heavier and larger for Canon EF than Nikon F mounts?
We recently acquired specifications for all DSLR lenses by Carl Zeiss and almost always the Canon EF-mount version is larger and heavier than the Nikon F-mount version. The difference ranges from ...
1
vote
1answer
165 views
How can I repair a kit lens with a stuck auto/manual focus mode switch?
Recently got a Nikon D5100. After a few days I realized that I can't focus in manual mode. The auto-manual (A-M) switch on the lens seems to be the issue (I have to press the switch hard to manually ...
1
vote
4answers
878 views
What is the difference between these various Nikon zoom lenses?
Nikon AF-S 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G DX ED
Nikon AF 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 DX G AF-S ED
The second one costs twice as much money as the first one, but what's the benefit of choosing the second one? Same with ...
