With multiple options in lenses out there, it becomes difficult to choose the best camera lens that suits all your requirements. No single camera lens is suitable for everyone, different types of photographers require different kinds of camera lenses for each different photography style such as wildlife photography, travel photography, portraits, and more.

Various aspects must be considered in choosing the right lens as per your requirements. To overcome this difficult situation, it is important to narrow down the list of main considerations to focus on primary factors.

1. Understanding the Camera Lens

When looking to buy a camera whether a mirrorless camera or a DSLR, the first thing that should be considered is the camera lens that matches well with the camera body and your requirements.

While each camera can be bought with a ‘kit lens’, gradually you would want to make a collection of lenses of your choice, which are useful in different situations.

You will find various abbreviations and terms related to the lens, which requires a thorough understanding to select a good one.

Lenses of the cameras come in various sizes and it might be difficult to find what exactly you need or you are looking for. A camera lens is an extremely expensive part of a camera but eventually, it is the best investment that any photographer can make with their cameras.

1.1. Work Process of Camera Lens

A camera lens snaps onto the front of the camera and is used to direct the light onto the sensor within the camera body. It signifies that the picture forming on the lens is correctly exposed and sharp.

A lens consists of a series of glass plates, which are convex (curved outwards) and concave (curved inwards). These glass plates bend the rays of light falling on the lens and focus (refract) it into one sharp focal point.

2. Types of Camera Lenses

There are mainly three types of camera lenses for DSLR and mirrorless cameras, the zoom lens and the prime lens. Another lens is known as the Kit lens which comes with the camera. Both lenses have their merits and demerits, which should be considered before looking at the other prime details.

2.1. Prime Lenses

Prime lenses are the ones that are fixed at a single focal length. These lenses can be 16 mm or 500 mm. The vivid quality of the pictures is the main advantage of this lens.

Prime Lenses have very fewer moving parts than the zoom lens and have a wider aperture, which makes them valuable in environments with low light.

These have fewer movable parts, which signifies that they have smaller and lighter lenses as compared to the zoom lens. However, this feature makes them an ideal choice for travel photography.

The following are the types of prime lenses:

2.1.1. Standard

Standard Lens allows you to click pictures just as you see them. It comes between 35 mm to 80 mm of focal length range. The Canon EF 50 mm f/1.4 USM AF Lens is suggested for beginners.

2.1.2. Fisheye

The fisheye lens provides variations of the wide-angle lens. It delivers an effect of a span between a spherical and a panoramic perspective. 

2.1.3. Telephoto

Telephoto lenses are best known to bring distant objects nearer without getting closer to them. These lenses generally fall in the range of 75 mm to 300 mm.

2.1.4. Super Telephoto

Comes with a range of 200 mm to 400 mm, super telephoto lenses bring the objects nearer than the telephoto. These are good for bird photography.

2.1.5. Wide Angle

It allows photographers to capture a broad view of the scenes or landscapes surrounding the object. These are ideal for snapping large group photos and vast landscapes.

2.2. Kit Lenses

Cameras come with the kit lenses. These lenses are 18-55 mm, which are good to learn photography style and have good quality. Excellent for architecture, the 18 mm lenses are moderate wide-angle lenses that are good for common portrait and landscape photography.

The end of the range of this lens is 55 mm, which is good for capturing close-ups and portrait-style details.

2.3. Zoom Lenses

Zoom Lens is the perfect choice for people who need to adjust the focal length without having to replace the lens. It signifies that you could capture an animal’s image in a distant location and also include the landscape views simultaneously without compromising quality.

For instance, a lens with a 70-200 mm range permits you to adjust the focal length from 70 mm to 200 mm. Excellent for travel and wildlife photography, the zoom lens allows you to capture a distant object without moving yourself from the spot.

Due to the zoom lens flexibility, it’s usually a deal against a certain aperture size, including the entire picture quality. One must consider the possible scenarios to decide which camera lens suits their demands better. 

3. Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Camera Lens

While looking for a suitable and worthwhile camera, several prominent factors must be considered. These are:

3.1. Focal Length

Focal length is a term used to explain the magnification amount that a lens can attain. The greater the number of the lens, the more magnification it can achieve.

To achieve the finer details that our naked eyes can capture, a focal length of 35 mm to 50 mm is needed. Having the lens below the 35 mm shows the object further away and a lens with more than 35 mm range shows the object nearer.

Given below are several described formats based on the 35 mm range instead of the medium format, which is a little distinct. 

3.1.1. Macro Lens

To capture close-up photographs, the macro lenses are used and these pictures are known as macro photographs. These types of lenses are specially designed to take authentic pictures, which are extremely sharp when taken close to the object.

Macro lenses are incredibly useful for nature photography and show every tiny detail of small creatures and are often used in the range between 85 mm to 150 mm, which is known as the short telephoto range.

3.1.2. Wide Angle

Comes with features to capture an extremely wide range capacity, the wide-angle lenses can capture an even wider range than a human eye can see. Having a range between 24 mm and 35 mm, these lenses are highly suitable for capturing various types of pictures from panoramic landscape views to group portraits.

3.1.3. Standard Lens

Standard lenses are used to seize the exact views that a human eye can see in terms of viewing angles and perspectives. Ranges from 35 mm to 85 mm, it provides a realistic sense of originality in pictures. Nifty 50 is a popular standard lens, which is suitable to use in various situations.

3.1.4. Ultra Wide Angle

Range anywhere between 8 mm and 24 mm is known to be the ultra-wide angle. It is also known as a fish eye lens as they deforms the images a lot. Remarkable for capturing cityscapes, wide panoramas, and interiors while travelling, the 24 mm lens is an excellent choice for photographing the night sky view.

3.1.5. Telephoto Lens

A telephoto lens is bigger than a short telephoto lens and varies in focal length from 100 mm to around 800 mm, which is quite a huge range. These lenses are extremely perfect for wildlife photographers as they allow you to capture movements from far away distances without disturbing the wildlife. However, these lenses are quite large and heavy.

3.1.6. Short Telephoto Lens

The short telephoto lens is among the good choices for click portraits as this type of lens provides the most realistic perspective of the people and objects. These lenses range from 85 mm to 135 mm. A 100 mm macro lens is quite popular for photography, which comes into this grouping.

As a necessary lens for wildlife photography, this lens allows you to click fine details of the object from a certain maintained distance. 

3.1.7. Super Telephoto Lens

The Super Telephoto Lens is designed for professional photographers, who are beyond the reach of normal hobby photographers. These are especially used for wildlife and sports photography. Providing a high focal length from 800 mm to 2000 mm, these lenses are quite expensive and bulky. 

3.2. Sensor Size

Most lenses of the camera are designed based on the specific type of a camera and it is identified by the size of the sensor. While looking at lenses, the sensor sizes mainly fall into two classifications, cropped and full frame.

It must be checked properly if the lens you are purchasing is appropriate for your camera or not. It is mentioned in the camera specifications. However, some manufacturers develop many lenses according to each sensor type.

Another important thing to consider before buying a lens is to understand the crop factor of the camera you are using, which is also mentioned in the camera specifications.

There is no crop factor available in the full-frame cameras. Most APS-C sensors come with a crop factor of around 1.5x.

Further, it is crucial to understand that when a camera has a lens of 50 mm with a crop factor of 1.5x, it will provide a focal length of 75 mm, which further signifies that the view angle is reduced.

It is useful while capturing wildlife from a distance, but not so suitable if you want to capture a wide landscape.

3.3. Focus

Almost all the lenses feature autofocus mode. However, there are some lenses available, which do not have autofocus such as the Samyung 24 mm lens.

You can simply change from autofocus to manual focus whenever needed with the help of a small switch mounted on the body of the lens.

The autofocus in the lens works together with autofocus modes, which are available within the body of the camera. 

3.4. Aperture Size

The aperture of a lens specifies the amount of light that goes through the lens and reaches the sensor. It is the size of the entire part that allows the light to reach the sensor of the camera.

As a controller of aid and field composition in-depth, the best aperture is recognized by the lens’ “f” number. The smaller the number, the wider the aperture.

A wider aperture (with a low f-number) is best for photographers who work in low light and it can capture the night sky well.

A camera with a wider aperture allows a faster shutter speed to photograph fast-moving objects or objects in low light without needing a tripod.

The wider the aperture, the more useful it is to photograph admirable bokeh or spongy out-of-focus scenarios.

3.5. Picture Stabilization

Blur movements can be an issue while holding the camera with hands or in low light. Image stabilization is a feature that reduces the blur effect in the pictures and is standard in most lenses.

To check whether the lens has an image stabilization feature, search for VR on Nikon, VC on Tamron, IS on Canon, and OS on Sigma lenses.

In most of the lenses, there is a switch fixed on the body of the lens, which activates this feature. However, if the lens is fixed on a tripod, then you need to switch the image stabilization off.

4. Things to Analyze While Choosing Camera Lens – Quick Overview

Before buying a camera lens, it is essential to consider which type of photography you need the lens for. In this situation, you need to think about what type of pictures the lens will be used for, is a prime lens with a wider aperture is good enough, and do you require the image stabilization needed with the zoom lens. 

4.1. Price

Camera lenses are quite expensive and their prices increase rapidly. It is better to set a budget to buy the lens and search for the best with versatile features within the estimated budget.

4.2. Characteristics

Lenses have various features that must be considered thoroughly. It is best to make a list of all features and look for the specific ones that you will need for the photography. Listing the characteristics of the lens and understanding what you need is only possible when you have the knowledge and experience with the camera lens and its features.

4.3. Weight and Size

It is important to take a look at size and weight when looking for a camera lens. There is no good buying a zoom lens if you can’t carry it wherever you need it and feel burdened.

4.4. Suitability

Every camera does not support all types of lenses. Even if the camera and lens are of the same brand, it is still important to check the compatibility of the camera lens with the body of the camera.

It may require you to buy an adapter while using an alternative lens, but you must be aware of the fact that it can modify the widest aperture size. Further, it can lead to improper functioning of the automatic features of the camera.

5. Lens Recommendations

While looking for a camera lens that suits your photography style, there are various types of lenses available in the market for different types of photography. Below are some lens suggestions that can be considered before buying.

5.1. Portrait Lens

A prime lens ranging from 70 mm to 120 mm is perfect for portrait photography. It permits you to capture an epic photograph without going nearer to the subject. Further, a prime lens with a wider aperture ranging from f/1.2 to f/2.8 would be the most ideal choice that allows you to control the depth of the bokeh and field.

5.2. Travel Filming Lens

There are two choices for travel photography, which are a prime lens and a general lens. Most travellers find the kit lens that comes with a camera body an ideal walkaround lens. These lenses are distinct and small and generally have a zoom to provide options.

Another lens that is suggested for travelling is a 50 mm f/1.8 prime lens. It is a small lens when fixed with the camera body but has a wide aperture that helps you photograph in different light situations. 

5.3. Wildlife Photography Lens

Nature and wildlife photography requires a longer lens. A longer lens allows you to take beautiful and clear pictures of the wildlife without disturbing their behaviour and natural habitat.

A zoom lens ranging from 100 mm to 400 mm is a suitable choice for wildlife photography that allows you a higher magnifying feature. It helps you click multiple compositions of the subject without moving yourself too much and disturbing animals.

5.4. Landscape Photo Shooting Lens

For landscape photography, a prime lens with a wide angle is considered to be best. Though any lens ranging from 10 mm to 35 mm would be suitable for this kind of photography, a 35 mm prime lens would be the most excellent choice.

6. Zoom Lens and Prime Lens Comparison

Mentioned below are the details of a short comparison between the zoom lens and the prime lens. 

6.1. Size and Weight

• Zoom lenses are large and heavy.
• A prime lens is lighter and smaller than an average zoom lens.

6.2. Cost

• Zoom lenses are usually more expensive than other types of lenses. However, the cost of one zoom lens is relatively similar to various prime lenses.
• Prime Lenses are cheaper due to their simple architecture.

6.3. Portability

• You just require one zoom lens that easily covers the entire range of focal lengths instead of using 2 to 3 prime lenses at the same time.
• Prime lenses come with a fixed focal length. To capture multiple shooting ranges, you need to carry additional prime lenses with different focal lengths.

6.4. Speed

• Zoom lenses do not have fast apertures but make up for this shortcoming with the image stabilization feature.
• Prime lenses are usually faster in aperture. These are excellent for capturing fast-moving objects.

6.5. Versatility

• Due to the variable focal length, a zoom lens is useful in multiple lighting and distant object conditions.
• The prime lens’ focal length is fixed at a single number, which cannot be modified. You need to move the camera body to change the angle of the view.

6.6. Picture Quality

• Zoom lenses are best for shooting from far distances and provide standard image quality.
• Prime lenses provide crisp and sharp picture quality even when the light is low.

7. Suggestions of Lens in Brief

• Prime lens is excellent for travel photography, the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.5 lens is recommended for this. It is also good for street photography.
• Nikon 85 mm f/1.4G and Canon EF 85 mm f/1.2 are the prime lenses suggested for portrait photography style.
• For Landscape-type photography, Canon EF-S 10mm-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM is a wide-angle lens perfect for this style.
• Sigma 50 mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART is a prime lens recommended for wedding photoshoots.

• For sports photography, the recommended prime lens is Canon EF 400 mm f/2.8L IS II USM.
• Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is a macro lens suggested for Food photography.
• Nikon 85 mm f/1.8G AF-S FX Nikkor is a macro lens recommended for flower or insect photography.
• To achieve unusual views, a recommended fish-eye lens is known as the Sigma 15 mm f/2.8 EX DG AutoFocus Diagonal Fish-Eye Lens.
• Standard Lens like Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM is suggested for everyday photoshoots that do not require much detailing.

8. Conclusion

A camera lens is a main part of the camera body. To shoot in different situations, you will need different types of lenses with different focal lengths and aperture. Every photographer requires a wide range of camera lenses for different kinds of photography styles.

To buy an excellent camera lens that can suit your requirements well, there are various factors to consider, which are mentioned above in detail.

Last Updated on January 31, 2024 by Khushahal Malakar