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.
3
votes
3answers
414 views
What's a good lens for my Canon G7?
I'm not a professional photographer, but I use my camera on a regular basis to photograph my familiy and activities I attend. I own a Canon G7 (older version of the G11) and instead of upgrading to a ...
24
votes
5answers
4k views
What can a fisheye lens be useful for?
I have a variety of lenses in my camera kit. One that I do not have, and has me curious, is a fisheye lens. I mostly understand what it does: it captures an image with distortion similar to what you ...
4
votes
5answers
957 views
Is an EF 50mm f/1.4 the same as 50mm with an EF-S lens on a Canon 550D?
I have a Canon 550D with the standard 18-55mm kit lens. The 550D has a 1.6× crop factor.
My question is very simple but whenever I've asked before (Yahoo Answers) I always got overly-complicated ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
Will a lens with a low aperture value give me better portrait photos?
I want to take pictures of people from 5-20 feet away. I attend lots of group events and am free to walk around and snap photos.
I just purchased a Canon t3i and it comes with a 18-55mm kit lens. The ...
-3
votes
2answers
218 views
What canon lenses should I buy? [closed]
I am looking to buy 3 canon lenes for my EOS 7D. What are the three best lenses that will help give me different ranges. I want to get a fast general purpose zoom lens, a macro lens and a telephoto ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
How do the Pentax 18-55mm and 18-135mm compare in image quality?
I've been reading a lot about the Pentax DA 18-135mm lens and its performance compared to other lenses. I've heard that this lens is very soft at 135mm regardless of aperture. However, I've also ...
11
votes
4answers
421 views
Is there a noticable difference in sharpness between a 1.8 lens and a 2.8 of similar design?
I recently bought a second-hand Carl Zeiss Jena PANCOLAR MC 1.8/50mm Lens off eBay (still waiting for it to arrive though) and am going to mount it to my Canon 7D via a M42 adaptor. I primarily shoot ...
19
votes
1answer
787 views
What is decentering?
I have heard of a condition in imperfect lenses known as "decentering". What is decentering? When a lens is decentered, what exactly is wrong with the optical elements? What are its symptoms and ...
2
votes
1answer
122 views
How to learn enough about lenses to be able to evaluate a lens manufacturer?
I've been doing research to purchase a DSLR. I think I have a handle on how to evaluate a body, feature-wise, but I'm finding it difficult to understand lenses.
Since buying a body locks you into a ...
7
votes
8answers
1k views
Is the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 AF-S being replaced?
I need a fast lens with autofocus for taking indoor shots with my Nikon D3000. I have been looking at the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 AF-S for a while and now that I am ready to get one they are next to ...
7
votes
4answers
7k views
What's the difference between using a 50mm f/1.8G and a 50mm f/1.8D with a Nikon D80?
Recently, Nikon announced their new 50mm f/1.8G lens, as revamp of the old 50mm f/1.8D. Here's how Gizmodo describes the difference:
The main difference between this new
"nifty fifty" and the ...
13
votes
5answers
1k views
Why choose an 80-200mm over an 18-200mm lens?
Being a beginner, I can't see why I must choose an 80-200 over an 18-200. Are there scenarios where an 80-200 would be preferable over an 18-200?
I will be buying a D7000 soon and am looking at ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
Does a camera's crop factor apply to the magnification of macro shots?
If I have a lenses (or in my case extension tubes) that would allow the lens to magnify 1:1, does a 1.5x crop factor body make it really 1.5:1 ?
2
votes
6answers
383 views
What would be a good wide angle lens to rent for Nikon?
I have a Nikon D5000, and am looking to rent a wide angle lens for a day. Any suggestions as what should be a good lens to try out?
9
votes
4answers
261 views
What are important considerations when purchasing a zoom lens?
What should I be aware of when buying a zoom lens (other than that it will fit my camera)? What specs should I pay close attention to?
4
votes
3answers
289 views
How do I troubleshoot Canon EF100-400L IS USM failure?
I use my EF100-400 on a Canon 10D. While in IS and auto focus mode, I was shooting a soccer match when the lens abruptly failed to focus, and I got an error message on the camera. I turned off the ...
8
votes
4answers
2k views
What is the difference between a telephoto lens and a zoom lens?
Looking at the product page for Nikon lenses, I notice a distinction between telephoto lens and zoom lens.
What is the difference between the two? Why would I want one over the other? I wiki'd ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
How can a Frazier lens achieve that massive DOF?
I've read in PetaPixel about this "Frazier lens" that can achieve a massive DOF. In this video is shown the capabilities of this lens and I must say I'm very impressed.
How can this lens achieve such ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
Is acetone safe and effective as a lens cleaner?
I recently came across a clip on youtube which showed the process of making camera lenses. I noticed them using acetone as a lens cleaner. My question is how effective is acetone as lens cleaner? Will ...
16
votes
5answers
1k views
When would one need manual focus override?
In lens reviews, ability to override auto-focus manually is often referred to as a good (and important) feature.
I have rarely, if ever used that feature, so I feel I might be missing out on an ...
5
votes
2answers
382 views
Are reverse mounts only for use with prime lenses?
Are reverse lens mounts only for use with prime lenses? I was wondering if I could use my zoom lens with a reverse mount.
10
votes
4answers
947 views
How wide can a lens be before it begins to produce distortion?
Some lenses will produce distortion near a photo's edges (lines that should be straight begin to curve). Fisheye lenses definitely do this, and some ultra-wide lenses will do this too. I like wide ...
3
votes
3answers
495 views
How do I choose a zoom lens to replace the kit lens?
I have a Canon 1000D with a 50mm f/1.8. I also have the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, but I am not very satisfied with its performance. I'm looking for a better zoom lens.
I have a budget of around ...
1
vote
1answer
659 views
After considering crop factor on Nikon D90, which macro lens should I get?
I am thinking of getting Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D.
I'm not a stamp collector so what I am looking for is characteristics of 100mm macro lens for Full Frame camera.
Should I get 100mm macro ...
7
votes
3answers
239 views
Does it make sense getting any of these “extra” lens packages?
I see many extra lenses on bestbuy.com sold with the Nikon D7000 I am interested in buying.
Are any worth it? Are they any good? And, since they bundle them, is the price better then buying the ...
3
votes
3answers
352 views
Is the kit lens focal length specified for APS-C or FF?
I have the 18-55mm kit lens for my Canon 50D and was wondering if they're still specified against full frame 1:1 crop? Would my 18mm actually be 1.6x?
I ask because I doubt anyone with a full frame ...
11
votes
3answers
4k views
How does a spherical lens differ from an aspherical lens?
Many lenses (like the Pentax DA 15mm f/4 Limited, or the Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.4G) are described as having "aspherical lens elements". Does this mean that regular lenses are spherical lenses? What's the ...
13
votes
10answers
3k views
Why don't more people use fisheye lenses as a cheap wide angle lens?
From my understanding, a fisheye lens usually has a coverage of 180 degrees or close to it. Given the extreme coverage and the availability of software that can turn fisheye images back to a ...
7
votes
4answers
394 views
Were lenses for film designed to focus different colors at different depths, and what does that mean for digital?
I was reading the book Adobe Photoshop CS5 for Photographers: The Ultimate Workshop by Martin Evening & Jeff Schewe (Focal Press. 2011) and read this paragraph about film lenses and DSLRs:
… ...
7
votes
4answers
2k views
Why and when would you consider Canon 17-55 lens over 24-105?
If I'm to buy a cropped sensor Canon camera for personal needs (family shootings, treveling etc - probably 75% outdoors some macro like + portraits + streetshootings + landscapes, 25% indoors mostly ...
11
votes
7answers
3k views
Which Nikon lenses for family photography?
I've become my family's un-official photographer, pretty much, and found myself in need of a better camera. (We have a large local close young family, so 20+ running around the house occasionally — ...
11
votes
1answer
2k views
Does image quality of a lens depend on the camera used?
I recently bought a Canon 50mm f1.8 for my Canon 1000d. But, I find that the images are not as sharp as those I saw in the reviews or any other images taken using other cameras like the 550d and ...
8
votes
2answers
1k views
How can I/should I check the sharpness of my camera lens?
The sharpness of a lens is a major concern for most photographers. This might be because we are worried about a defect in the lens, a problem with our technique or a problem with the camera. Or we ...
1
vote
2answers
331 views
Am I being unrealistic about image quality expectations from Canon 70-200 F/4 USM IS L Lens?
I'm shopping for a 70-200 F/4 USM IS L, and took a few test shots with it.
Here's a full resolution jpeg, and a 100% crop with a focus point highlighted.
It was shot handheld with IS on at 70mm / F4 ...
8
votes
6answers
248 views
On smaller prints, will a high-quality zoom lens provide near equal image quality compared to primes?
Let's say I shoot with Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L, Canon EF 50mm f/1.4, and a Canon EF 85mm f/1.8. Can these 3 primes be replaced with a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 for the convenience of not needing to change ...
5
votes
1answer
189 views
Should I get a lens repaired or buy a new one?
I have a 28-135mm Canon lens that I picked up a few years ago for $200. The zoom has started sticking in the last couple of days. It still focuses fine, but can be annoying trying to zoom in/out ...
0
votes
3answers
417 views
Which lenses to buy next?
I have a Canon 550D DSLR that I've been using for the past 6 months to learn photogragphy. It has the 18-135mm lens and I also got the 50mm/1.8 lens. As I learn more I now think it's time for me to ...
18
votes
6answers
789 views
Maximum lens weight for my camera?
I apologize if this was asked before, but where can i find information about maximum allowed lens weight for my camera?
I'm asking because, i have an opportunity to get old Soviet build 80-200mm lens ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
Is the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G lens better than the Nikon 35-70 f/2.8D?
I consider better to mean:
it focuses faster
it focuses better in low-light
it is sharper
it has less vignetting
I have the 35-70mm f/2.8D and am considering upgrading to the G.
5
votes
7answers
2k views
How can I visualize or simulate the effect of different focal lengths?
I have seen many camera review sites illustrate the effect of using different focal lengths on the same photograph using frames. There are also similar illustrations to compare different sensors (full ...
9
votes
8answers
3k views
What options do I have for a normal and fast prime lens for a Canon APS-C camera?
I'm looking for a normal prime lens, desirably fast and not too expensive, for my 450D. 50mm seems to be the normal focal length on FF, thus for APS-C, I need about 30mm.
I want it to be fast as I'm ...
1
vote
3answers
355 views
Are there any inexpensive 2x AF macro lenses for Canon?
I want to be able to take pictures like this:
This was taken at 2×, but the lens costs over 1000 and has no autofocus. Is there a lens that can take pictures like this for less money, preferably ...
1
vote
3answers
277 views
In need of a quality close zooming lens with minimal distortion (canon)
The stock lens on my Canon T2i (18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS) does a good job; as good as the two much more expensive Macro lens I've used. The trouble is that it's very plasticy and flimsy. I have to set ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
What is the difference between these two Canon kit lenses?
I want to but a Canon 1100D, but I have no idea between these kits:
Canon 1100D IS
Canon 1100D IS II
The site is in Germany, so I couldn't understand very well, but when I
tried to translate, I ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
Canon 550d Kit Lens or not?
I'm a beginner at photography, I'm looking at buying my first DSLR (currently the Canon 550d looks promising) so I'm wondering if I should buy the camera with the kit lens (EFs 18-55mm IS) or buy just ...
5
votes
2answers
275 views
How should I use lens cleaner?
I got a free lens-cleaning kit with a lens I bought the other day. It has a small bottle of alcohol lens cleaner, but I'm not sure how to use it, should I apply it directly to the lens, or onto a ...
20
votes
5answers
1k views
What is the definition of a “prime lens”?
There are many discussions of differences between prime, zoom and macro lenses. I have not heard about prime lenses until recently.
Could someone explain what exactly a prime lens is?
Is it ...
6
votes
3answers
428 views
What motor gets used if both lens and camera body have a focus motor?
If both a camera body and lens have motorized autofocus, would one be used over the other or would both work in tandem to speed the focus process along?
4
votes
4answers
2k views
Is it best to transport a camera with lens attached, or off?
I'm traveling now(I'm at Aruba) and I bought me a Canon 60D with the lens kit(EFS 18-55mm). I never used a camera that has removable lens like this one, my last one was a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18, so ...
21
votes
0answers
559 views
Is Image Stabilization better in the lens or the body? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the difference between in-lens image stabilizing and in-sensor image stabilizing?
Some DSLR manufacturers have image stabilization (IS) in the body of their ...
