Search
Best →

DSLR Lens Guide

Lawrence Bonk Profile image

Written by:

Lawrence Bonk
Updated November 9, 2022

Our posts contain affiliate links. Sometimes, not always, we may make $$ when you make a purchase through these links. No Ads. Ever. Learn More

If you are new to digital photography, you may want to research and internalize a DSLR lens guide. Many of the best digital cameras, after all, are DSLR models, and these cameras integrate with plenty of lenses to suit different tastes and requirements. So why learn about lens choices with the best DSLR cameras, and what should you keep in mind as you shop for lenses? Keep reading to find out.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • DSLR cameras integrate with a wide range of lenses, allowing them to take unique photos of different types.
  • Lenses break down into two major types. Prime lenses offer a fixed focal length, while zoom lenses allow you to adjust the focal range.
  • There are also special-purpose types of lenses, such as macro lenses, telephoto lenses, and tilt-shift lenses. These lenses demand unique settings adjustments, such as a maximum aperture or a shallow depth.

Why Learn About DSLR Lenses?

Before learning how to fix blurry DSLR camera lenses, you have to learn about lenses in the first place. A camera’s lens focuses and directs light to the viewfinder for previewing images and to the image sensor for creating a stunning photo. Lenses are on the fragile side, so learn how to clean a DSLR lens before you do anything else.

Insider Tip

Make sure to clean and maintain the lenses according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In many cases, this involves a lens cleaning kit or a microfiber cloth.

Guide to DSLR Camera Lenses

DSLR lenses are a fairly complicated concept. The good news is that once you learn about DSLR lenses, much of the knowledge transfer to other types of cameras, such as mirrorless and SLR cameras. Here are some important things to understand about DSLR lenses.

Zoom Vs Prime

There are two major DSLR lenses, though the differences between the two primarily impact focal length. Fixed focal length lenses, also known as prime lenses, offer a definitive focal length that cannot be changed. This means you have to swap out different lenses depending on the photos you are setting up. On the plus side, prime lenses offer increased image quality when zeroed in on the preferred focal length.

Variable focal length lenses, also known as zoom lenses, allow you to adjust the focal length at will. This increases the number of photo types you are able to take with a single lens, though these lenses do suffer from a “jack of all trades” effect.

STAT: Before deciding which lens to purchase, first make sure the lens will fit your camera. (source)

Special Purpose Lenses

There are also unique lenses to be used for special purposes for photographers looking to grab a truly special shot. These include macro lenses and tilt-shift lenses, among other types. Macro lenses are a type of zoom lens that allows you to take ultra-close-up shots of small subjects. Obviously, this makes macro lenses the perfect choice for insect photography, flower photography, and more. Tilt-shift lenses, on the other hand, excel at solving certain illusory problems that pop up from time to time in professional photography.

Lens Guide FAQs

What types of camera lenses are there?

There are many types, including zoom lenses, that excel with a maximum aperture. A wide-angle lens is a unique type with its own zoom range, though standard lenses should never be discounted.

What is a zoom lens?

Zoom lenses adjust the focal length to zoom in or out of a chosen subject, depending on the focal range and depth of field. Experiment with different settings when using a zoom lens, such as trying out the maximum aperture.

What lens should I buy next?

This depends on your desires and the type of photos you are taking. Zoom lenses are great with a maximum aperture and a shallow depth to create a unique effect, while wide-angle lenses excel with a deep depth of field, depending on the sensor size.
Lawrence Bonk Profile image
Lawrence Bonk
Lawrence Bonk is a copywriter with a decade of experience in the tech space, with columns appearing in Engadget, Huffington Post and CBS, among others. He has a cat named Cinnamon.