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.
4
votes
1answer
109 views
Is it normal for the zoom to be loose on a Sony 18-250 lens?
I have the Sony 18-250mm lens.
The lens is so loose that it doesn't keep a focal length, but slides down to the fullest extension with minimal downward slope. Is this standard or should I see a ...
3
votes
3answers
455 views
Recommended wildlife photography lenses for Nikon DX bodies with no AF motor
I have some SLR experience but have mostly been using a point-and-shoot in the last few years. Now I would like to jump back into the digital SLR world specifically to do wildlife photography (mostly ...
2
votes
1answer
104 views
Is there a difference between the black and silver Nikon 50mm f/1.8 E series lenses?
The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 E-series has 2 versions: black (1979-1981) and silver (1981-1985)
Is there any difference between these 2 versions, apart from the color?
5
votes
4answers
1k views
Why does the cheap kit lens seem to be sharper than the expensive L wide-angle?
So recently, I was just browsing through Canon's product lists and found the 17-40 f/4 L to be quite interesting, although I will not buy it anytime in the near future. Still, I decided to make some ...
15
votes
12answers
6k views
What is the best Canon lens (around $500) for taking pictures of my newborn?
I have a Canon T2i, a 50mm f/1.8 and the kit lens (18-55mm).
I'm considering buying a new lens for more flexibility with taking pictures of my upcoming newborn.
I LOVE the 50mm/1.8 lens, but on the ...
6
votes
4answers
3k views
Which lens is sharper? The Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 or the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8?
Specifically:
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro (not the previous non-macro version. HSM is only on Nikon fit)
Vs.
Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 SP XR Di II LD VC Lens (not the cheaper one without vibration ...
2
votes
1answer
62 views
Tamron 70 - 300mm not operating in A-Dep mode
This lens will not operate in A-Dep (Auto depth of field) mode on my Canon 40D. I recently bought this lens second hand. It works very well in all other modes. Is this the start of a terminal problem? ...
12
votes
8answers
9k views
Practical Difference Between Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8?
As a photographer for my college's newspaper, most of what I shoot is either low light (concerts, dances, etc.) or sports, so I'm looking into getting a low-light/high speed telephoto zoom for my ...
2
votes
2answers
327 views
How do the Samyang and Nikon 85mm portrait lenses compare?
I'm looking to buy a 85mm portrait lens for for my D7000. My budget is around $300-400.
I've currently shortlisted the following two lens:
Nikon 85mm f/1.8G
Samyang AE 85mm f/1.4 (the one with the ...
6
votes
7answers
900 views
How come there are no 24-70mm f/2.8 lenses with image stabilization?
There definitely aren't any Canon or Nikon lenses. I also have not seen any third party lenses. I can think of two reasons for this:
There is some technical limitation (which I tend to doubt since ...
7
votes
5answers
770 views
Are third-party alternatives to the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 worth the price savings?
Has anyone used the 3rd party 70-200 lenses?
Are you happy with the quality, or do you wish you had saved up for longer and got the Canon?
2
votes
3answers
295 views
What is the upgrade path for Nikon D300 with better low light sensitivity?
While I shoot Canon, my brother shoots a D300. We were talking about indoor sports photography. I don't know the Nikon lines, but I know that his D300 is a 2007 vintage, and sensors get better all the ...
2
votes
3answers
142 views
Are there specific use-cases in mind that make the 70-200 F2.8 worth its weight/size?
I've been looking to upgrade my Mark iii's kit lens, and am comparing lens strategies. The 70-200mm canon F2.8 seems like an enduring and very popular lens. After holding one, i am left wondering why?
...
1
vote
3answers
487 views
Which is the better lens: Canon 28-105 or 28-135?
I have a very old (18 years or so) Canon 28-105 3.5-4.5 USM lens. I bought it for my Elan 2e and then 7NE, and then used it on my XTI. I thought it took great pictures.
Now i'm shooting the Canon ...
28
votes
4answers
5k views
What is “angle of view” in photography?
I read on the Lens Buying Guide @ neocamera:
Focal-length determines the angle-of-view seen through a lens for a
given sensor-size. With a full-frame sensor a lens gives the same
angle-of-view ...
0
votes
1answer
105 views
Nikon Lens format for D5100 [duplicate]
I'm planning to buy the Nikon D5100. As I'll also buy a 200mm lens which format to go for ? And what does they mean and their differences [DX Format FX Format CX Format]
10
votes
4answers
242 views
Does it make sense to get a non-macro and a macro of similar focal lengths?
I recently asked a question on which prime lens to get after the kit lenses, and in my shortlist of lenses there was quite a lot of overlap of focal lengths along with macro & non-macro versions ...
1
vote
5answers
1k views
What is a cheap standard/wide prime lens for Canon APS-C?
50mm f/1.8 is said by many to be a great lens for its price, and finally one worth buying. On the other hand with a APS-C sensor it is rather long for my taste.
Is there some cheap lens around 30mm ...
14
votes
6answers
4k views
How does background blur (bokeh) relate to sensor size?
This is a somewhat theoretical question.
Suppose I first take a photo of a subject using a full frame sensor DSLR, with a given lens (say 50mm prime lens at f/3.5).
Now suppose I exchange the camera ...
2
votes
4answers
543 views
Which of these lenses allows a greater amount of light through at f/1.4: Canon 35mm f/1.4 or Sigma 35mm f/1.4?
I'm looking for a wide aperture wide angle lens to use with my 5D III body. I'm planning to use this lens for reportage shots in low light conditions.
After doing some research, I'm trying to decide ...
5
votes
3answers
214 views
What differentiates a Canon standard zoom from an ultra-wide angle zoom?
I was checking the Canon website and found that the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens is a "standard" zoom lens, whereas the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM is described as an "ultra-wide" Zoom.
Is there ...
1
vote
3answers
714 views
50mm lens=75mm on DX camera? [duplicate]
I'm looking for a 50mm lens for my nikon d3100 and I just came across an AF-S 50mm f/1.8G lens and it says in the description that if it's used on a DX camera, the angle of view is going to be 75mm. I ...
14
votes
11answers
3k views
Which macro lens would you recommend for a full frame Nikon camera?
I use a full frame Nikon camera and would love to play with macro photography. Is the Nikon 105 macro strong enough or would you rather recommend some bigger third party lens?
0
votes
4answers
380 views
Is it typical to experience zoom creep with the Canon EF 24-105mm F/4 L IS USM?
I noticed this more than once. Whenever I'm in the range from 24mm to somewhere between 35mm and 50mm, the lens starts moving if I'm fixing it vertically with its front element facing the ceiling or ...
3
votes
1answer
244 views
Can anyone show me an example of Zoom Creep on Nikkor lenses?
Looking for some pictures which certainly demonstrating this problem on Nikkor lenses. I am about to purchase the lens and want to be able to distinguish.
3
votes
4answers
176 views
What is the useful range of apertures for lenses?
Assuming for example a lens has a range of f/1.8 - f/22, for an ideal picture which apertures should I avoid, and for what specific reasons? Now if the answer is "do not use the first two and the last ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
What is CLA service?
I've seen the term used in used lens listings, e.g "recently CLA'd".
I have a few questions, but I think they're related enough to only warrant one post:
What does CLA stand for, and what is it?
...
1
vote
1answer
134 views
How to attach Zeikos extension tube to D5100?
How to attach the Zeikos macro extension tube to Nikon D 5100 and to the kit lens 18-55mm?
Neither side of the tube seems to fit the body of the camera nor the lens. Perhaps I bought the wrong item ...
8
votes
3answers
584 views
What's the term for wide angle lenses with no distortion?
Is there one word to describe the difference between wide angle lenses that have a circular distortion and wide angle lenses that produce images where perspective lines remain straight?
33
votes
5answers
12k views
Why do pro photographers use huge lenses to take portrait shots?
Every time I see a photoshoot video on youtube, the photographers have the biggest lenses I have ever seen in my life to shoot portraits or full-body shots.
For example, the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 ...or ...
4
votes
1answer
379 views
What do I need to use a Nikon El Nikkor 50mm 2.8 enlarging lens with a Canon 5D mark II?
How can I connect the Nikon el-nikkor 50mm f2.8 enlarging lens to my Canon 5D Mark II? What adapter / reversing ring do I need?
3
votes
4answers
442 views
What 300mm lens to get for my Nikon camera for wildlife photography in a national park?
I'm shopping for a 300mm lens for my Nikon D60. Which lens do you suggest? I want to use it mostly to capture images of animals in the Kruger National Park?
4
votes
4answers
661 views
35mm prime lens on a Nikon D50
I'm looking at getting a prime lens for my Nikon D50, I'm looking at the 50mm ƒ1.8 and the 35mm ƒ1.8 DX.
What I understand is that the 50mm will actually give me an equivalent focal length of 75mm, ...
3
votes
3answers
434 views
How to avoid unflattering facial distortion when using a slightly wide angle lens?
A 35mm prime on a full format body (or 24mm on cropped) is a great lens to walk around with. But when one gets too close to someone to take a picture, invariably some of their features are ...
2
votes
2answers
245 views
Can you recommend a good budget prime lens for family photos (Canon mount)
I'm very new to photography. Have a Canon T3, with the standard 18-55 lens and a 75-300 mm lens. I'm looking to do a lot of family photography (wife with 2 kids less than 2 years old). Most of the ...
0
votes
2answers
190 views
What to buy for macro and portraits? (D5100) [duplicate]
I have a Nikon D5100 with the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens.
I am an amateur interested in:
1. macro - insects, flowers, objects.
2. portraits- love blurry backgrounds, focused and unfocused body ...
5
votes
2answers
641 views
Can't auto-focus at full zoom
I have a Canon 1000d, and the standard lens EF-S 18-55mm. Recently I was out taking photos and I've noticed that if I zoom in fully, the lens can't auto focus. I can still take shots using manual ...
15
votes
2answers
394 views
Does a specific f number across all lenses denote same amount of light?
When we say a light source emits 1500 lumens of light, it does not really matter if the light source is incandescent, CFL, diode etc. Similarly, when I say f/1.8 can I assume that all lenses pass the ...
11
votes
5answers
908 views
How can aperture be f/11 on a lens with an aperture range designation of 3.5-5.5?
I made a series of outdoor shots with Nikon D5000, with the 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G VR kit lens.
On some shots, I see in the EXIF info f/11, and in another shot, f/9.
How can that be, that the f-number ...
9
votes
2answers
624 views
What characteristics make a good lens good?
When reading lens reviews on the Internet, I often find subjective statements about the image quality that a lens produces, such as "good contrast" or "sharp". The problem is that I don't think I am ...
5
votes
1answer
267 views
How difficult is it to correct mustache-style distortion?
I am considering the Samyang 14mm Ultra Wide-Angle f/2.8 IF ED UMC but I am somewhat concerned about the 5.3% of mustache-style distortion this lens produces.
I like most of what I read about this ...
2
votes
1answer
89 views
Are Raynox magnifiers compatible with Canon macro lenses?
Are Raynox magnifiers (125, 250, 5320) compatible with Canon 100mm f/2.8L? In particular, are they going to be compatible with the Canon Macro Twin Flash?
14
votes
2answers
351 views
How much do lens lineups vary across Mirrorless camera systems?
We often hear advice like ""choose your lenses and then choose the body that matches". We have great information on DSLR systems at How much do lens lineups vary across DSLR platforms?, but what about ...
51
votes
8answers
2k views
How much do lens lineups vary across DSLR platforms?
I was reading this question and recalled how often I hear the advice "choose your lenses and then choose the body that matches" in the context of deciding on a camera platform ...
9
votes
3answers
8k views
Will lenses from a Rebel work on higher-model Canon cameras?
I am thinking about purchasing a Canon 60D and selling my Rebel XT and wondered if I would need to purchase new lenses? I only have two but as you all know, once you invest it is hard to not take ...
2
votes
2answers
180 views
Is lens focal length specified considering the effect of barrel distortion on field of view?
Given a NIKON 14mm f/2.8D ED AF Ultra Wide-Angle Nikkor Lens on a full-frame sensor, in theory the field of view is HFOV: 104° x VFOV: 81°. However this lens exhibits noticeable barrel distortion ...
2
votes
6answers
8k views
Looking for a good, cheap entry-level telephoto lens for Nikon D5100
I currently own a Nikon D5100 with the 18-55mm kit and am looking for a good, cheap entry-level telephoto lens.
I'm a beginner, and plan to do wildlife, nature and landscape photography with an ...
3
votes
1answer
191 views
Can I use a Nikon 50mm f/2 pre-AI on my Nikon D5100?
Can I use a Nikon 50mm f/2 pre-AI on my Nikon D5100? Will it cause any damage to my camera?
3
votes
2answers
333 views
Is it safe to manually-focus the Nikon 18-105 while in autofocus mode?
There are only A and M settings, no A/M. but I just noticed that Nikon website has mentioned three focus modes for this lens: Auto, Manual and Manual/Auto
I'm confused if this is only a typo or is it ...
6
votes
5answers
912 views
Can Nikon FX (full-frame) users use DX (APS-C) lenses?
I mean, through the "crop-mode", using only part of their sensor ? Does it work as intended or is it a gimmick ?
For the moment I shoot APS-C, with a possible perspective of converting to FF some ...
