Buy The Right Digital Camera Lens

Choosing the proper lens is crucial as you shop for a digital camera. Fundamentally, lenses fit into several groups: fixed focal distance, retracting or fixed zoom, and interchangeable devices.

Fixed focal length lenses are the least expensive and are the easiest to use. Styled for affordability and for beginners, fixed focal length lens types generally provide solely wide angle viewing, ideal for landscape or group shots. The image quality with this lens though, is less than ideal. A lens that has a fixed focus length cannot zoom in on objects and can not use a converter. What is frequently a better option is an auto focus lens that is equipped with a selectable macro or landscape focus mode.

Zoom lenses that retract will extend if the camera’s power is on and then close as the camera is turned off. This lens type is decently priced and takes good pictures. Retracting zoom lens features make digital cameras more compact, yet completely safeguard the lens too. It has a limited zoom range and magnifies 2 to 3 times. Retracting zoom lenses aren’t compatible with filters or converters, and they cause a minor delay in powering up your digital camera. In addition, they have minimal manual focus settings.

Fixed zoom lenses can use filters, flash rings, and will accept a converter. These additional functions let advanced photographers capture exquisite close-ups, wide-angle and telephoto pictures. You can get magnification up to 12x with a fixed zoom lens. Fixed type zoom lenses feature sophisticated and precision zoom and manual focus settings via rings located on the lens rather than push buttons. This lens is too bulky to be carried easily, and it is kind of complicated for most new users.

Both professionals and serious amateurs can use the digital SLR with changeable lenses. These are completely detachable from the camera and can be swapped with other lenses. If you’ve got lenses for a conventional film camera now, it’s often possible to locate a digital camera that will fit the SLR style. A camera lens that can offer a great deal of flexibility when shooting is the digital SLR. Another plus is you won’t have to purchase a new camera if you want to upgrade the lenses.

But the lenses can cost a good bit of money. They can be heavy and bulky. If you’re a novice when it comes to lenses, the varieties might be baffling; even if you knew about conventional film camera lenses, digital camera focal length might be confusing. There is a big learning curve, but the photos you will get will make it worth it!

Buy Camera Lens FAQ

Question: Where to buy camera disposable lens tissues?
would u recommend those for camera lenses or just a microfiber cloth?…..cause i hav streaks on my camera lens (not visible in pictures), but there just cleaning streaks and ii was hoping that either the disposable camera lens cleaning tissues or the microfiber cloth will work…which will work to remove cleaning streaks?….and does almart sell disposable lens tissues?

Answer: Costco sells lens cleaning tissues in a large box. Each one is individually wrapped. In the pharmacy area with solution for contact lenses.

If that’s not an option, just go to a good, local camera store. They should have them.

I generally use microfiber cloths on my lenses and save the moistened wipes for cleaning my glasses after they get icky from the viewfinder.

Question: Where is a good place to buy camera lens?
looking for big zoom (200+) with 2.8 f-stop

Answer: Listen, first let me say that lenses normally outlast cameras unless they’re dropped on a hard surface or submerged in water or grossly abused/misused (identifiable by the dents, dings and scratches). Also, it’s better to get a used brand name lens than a new generic lens, which saves money on cheaper barrel build and cheaper glass formula. So, in buying a brand name you get quality build and quality glass formula… hence, a better chance of getting superior quality image detail while saving money!

So, with that said, I will recommend one and only one place: www.keh.com but go there as often as you can if you don’t see what you want… they’re always getting in new merchandise and their lenses and cameras don’t stay on their shelves very long; be ready to buy the minute you see what you want.

Www.keh.com has the best prices around for used photography gear, the most conservative ratings, and very helpful and courteous employees. Check them out as soon as you can, and good luck to you!

Question: Where can i buy a new camera lens?
my camera’s lens in broken and my uncle can fix it as long as i bring him a new lens but i don’t know were to buy it from or order it from…i looked on ebay and didnt find any…its for a dsc s650 sony cybershot camera..help

Answer: try here

http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/camera-lenses/

http://www.cheapcameras.org.uk/Photography/Camera-Lenses

Question: What camera lens should I buy for my Canon?
I have a Canon EOS Rebel X SLR film camera. I think it is a great camera and I am looking into purchasing a new lens(s) for it but I don’t have a clue where to start.The lens that came with it is 35-80mm. I would like to get a really good all around lens (if there is one out there). It would be for taking portraits and things outdoors. Not looking to become a pro photographer but would still like to be able to take awesome pics of wildlife, landscapes, and of the nieces and nephews at ball games and other family gatherings. Thanks for all the help!

Answer: For film, a 35-80mm covers what is conventionally known as the normal range, ie it doesn’t cover wide-angle (less than 35mm) or telephoto (over 85mm). For portraits and most outdoors work, you will want to extend your coverage into the telephoto range. Typical zoom ranges here are 70-150mm or 70-200mm. This will probably work for sporting events where you can get reasonably close to the action and are not stuck in seating well back from the sidelines.

Wide angle lens are great for interiors, landscapes with prominent objects in the foreground, and candid family shots where you are close to the subjects. You might find the 35mm end of your zoom is not quite short enough. Options include a prime (single focal length) lens around 20-28mm, or a wide-angle zoom.

You can buy a single lens solution like a 28-200mm lens. This would, in theory, replace your current lens completely. But they are bulky. For my Nikon, this lens weighs nearly twice the 28-80mm zoom, and I have kept the smaller lens because it is easier to carry and use in many circumstances. It is also easier for my 9yo grand-daughter to use when she is with me – the heavier lens would be much harder for her to manage.

As a film user, the advice to avoid the lens made specifically for digital is sound. Digital sensors are much smaller than the film image size, and these lens don’t have to be perfect over the larger area that you need.

Question: What kind of camera lens, do I need to buy ?
I have a good quality, Pentex, 35 mm film camera. In order to take studio quality portrait photos, what kind of lens and or other attachments that need to buy ?

Answer: A top choice would be the Pentax Telephoto SMCP-FA* 85mm f/1.4 IF Autofocus Lens. 85 mm is a classic “portrait prime” for 35 mm cameras. It lets you work at a comfortable distance from your subject, but is still useful in the confines of a studio.

If $800 is over your budget, the Pentax Telephoto SMCP-D FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro Autofocus Lens is a very good lens. It is selling with a $100 rebate right now taking the price from $540 to a very reasonable $440.

As far as other attchments, if you don’t own a flash, get a good one. I’m looking at the Pentax AF-400T TTL Handle Mount Flash Kit and it seems quite capable. The main advantage is that it puts the flash high and away from the center of your lens and this will go a long way towards eliminating red-eye. If you can get a diffuser dome to use with the flash, you will have very even lighting with minimal shadows.

Speaking of shadows, it is a good idea to have a light source behind your subject. It needs to be strong enough to eliminate any shadows from your on-camera flash. You might get away with a bare 100 watt bulb in a lamp without a lampshade, just sitting on the floor out of the view of the camera.

Question: Is it better to buy a camera with optical lens that zoom out or build in?
i need to buy a camera. I was wondering which is better. A camera’s optical lenses that zooms out or one that is built in and doesn’t zoom out.

Answer: There are some that actually use mirrors and the zoom lens is actually inside the body of the camera.

What I would recommend is you avoid cameras that have a digital zoom only. The reason for this is because the digital zoom ends up sacrificing resolution to take a picture.

Another thing to consider is the “zoom out camera” could be a problem depending on how you use it. For instance, if you accidentally turned it on in your purse you could break the gears that work the lens.

I personally like the zoom out and have a Casio Exilim. Small, light, and takes good pictures. There are better cameras out there but I needed small size and mine was the smallest with an optical zoom I could find at the time. It’s worked great.

Question: When you buy a camera body dose it come with a lens?
I am looking at canon rebels and the pictures all have lens.I think that if I buy a body only that Iwill still need to buy some lens.Am I right?

Answer: Right you are. But the lens you’ll get is a good starter one.
I’m thinking you’ll next think about a zoom and then maybe a wide angle.
Don’t be afraid of getting a used lens (from a reputable store). It’s a great way to experiment and start your collection.

Question: If i buy a camera Lens from the USA, will it work on my UK camera…?
Sorry, that’s probably pretty obvious.. but i need to be sure..

Everything is more expensive here =/

If i buy in the UK – It’s going to cost roughly $1,780. USD
And if i buy from the US, it’s roughly $1,140 USD

Answer: What kind of camera do you have, and what lenses do you want to buy?

Beware of grey market products – they’re basically fine but if something happen and you want to have it serviced, usually the service center will not accept it even if you are willing to pay.

If you bought from a reputable seller such as B&H however, I think you will be fine.