What lenses should everyone have?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ion Paciu on April 6, 2011 at 11:53am

There is no such a think as all in one the best lens. There are different types of lenses. Also, all these types of lenses can fit different budgets.

All you need is to start learning about lenses and see what eact type can do as there are so many types / categories so that you will be able to choose the desired lens according to your budget.

Please check previous discussions on lenses there is valuable info in thes posts (one of them is here)



Ion Paciu

www.photoion.co.uk

www.londondigitalphotographycourses.co.uk

Permalink Reply by Joel Osten on April 6, 2011 at 12:01pm

I know there isn't an "All in One" lens.  I am looking for advice on which lenses are good for a beginner to be able to shoot a variety of different situations.  Being a beginner, budget is a big consideration.  For example, what is a good macro lens, a good telephoto (general purpose) lens, portrait lens.  I'm just looking for suggestions not a debate.

 

Thanks

Permalink Reply by Ion Paciu on April 6, 2011 at 12:57pm

Not sure why you mentioned debate here, however, as I said, in order to be able to choose the best lens for you, you need to decide what kind of work you are mainly going to do and the quality you are expecting from your images. if you wish to buy all the lenses you've mentioned above that will cost you some money, even if you will buy third parties lenses (sigma, tamorn, etc.), good quality lenses are expensive.

Believe me, in order to choose the best lens for you, you will first you need to learn about lenses. Just buying what other people say won’t help you to understand why you need to buy that lens: 

 

Briefly, there are two main categories of lenses (this is a copy paste from a previous discussion on this forum):

 

Prime lenses or fixed focal lenses (no zoom e.g. 50mm, 80mm, 100mm, etc.)

 

- Zoom lenses - versatile lenses that can change their focal length (e.g. 55-200mm, 70-200mm, etc.).

- Prime Lenses have the following main characteristics:

 

-convey a better image quality;
-know to be sharper!? (this is relative)  
-are smaller and lighter;
-faster (better light-gathering ability-larger maximum apertures)
-have a better light-gathering ability, being recommended for both low-light and fasCam shutter speeds, ideal for sports / theatre / events photography;
-can achieve shallower depth of field;
-are simpler in terms of construction;
-are cheaper;
-make you more proactive;
-are less versatile;

The popular focal lengths: 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 80mm, 105mm, 135mm, 200mm, 300mm, 400mm, 600mm.

 

1.Zoom Lenses have the following main characteristics:

-portability;
-are great when covering an event while unable to move around at will;
-ideal for photographing groups of people indoors;
-entails speed when adjusted to framing;
-instant capability to get a tighter shot when the moment dictates so;
-easier to achieve a variety of compositions or perspectives (since lens changes are not necessary);
-using a zoom lens does not necessarily mean that one no longer has to change their position - zooms just increase the flexibility.

1.Lenses categorised by focal length (a rough guide, actual uses can vary):

FOCAL LENGHT TYPE USE

Less than 21 mm         Extreme Wide Angle         Architecture
21-35 mm                     Wide Angle                        Landscape
35-70 mm                     Normal                               Street & Documentary
70-135 mm                   Medium Telephoto             Portraiture & Event
135-300+ mm               Telephoto                          Sports & Wildlife

Please note that these focal lengths apply only to 35 mm equivalent cameras.

Macro lenses

- specifically designed for macro photography

- have similar properties to normal lenses

- have very high optical quality

- focus distance shorter then other lenses

- can have various focal lengths but long focal lengths a real advantage; come in very handy for taking close-ups of subjects that might otherwise be scared away (start from 100mm if you wish to photograph insects)

 

You can also consider the extension tubes and Teleconverters

 

Teleconverters (TC):

Are optical devices which can be attached to the rear of a lens increasing the effective focal length.
The most common are:
- 1.4x (stops down the lens by 1 stop of light);
- 2x (stops down the lens by 2 stops).

How do TC operate:

-work better with fairly long focal lengths and prime lenses;
-do not produce good results while used with short focal length lenses and zoom lenses;
-some TCs can only be used with certain types of lenses (you might need to check when you buy them);
-the autofocus does not operate for all apertures (you need to check your body camera when you buy a TC).

Are Teleconverters worth it?
The answer is yes, as long as you use them (preferably) with a prime lens / long focal length. However, they are not useful with zoom lenses and short focal lengths.

 

Extension tubes:

-simply moves the lens farther from the sensor;
-does not contain optical elements;
-gives you closer focus (very useful for macro work);
-gives greater magnification;
-stops down the lens (1 or 2 stops);
-those without electrical contacts disconnect the lens from the camera (there is no AF).

I hope this helps. However, there are many other types of lenses (tilt shift, etc.) and so much more to be said about them. I reckon this information will help you find the type of lenses that best suites your camera and your needs

 

regards

Permalink Reply by Joel Osten on April 6, 2011 at 1:11pm

Thanks for the info.  Those descriptions are a huge help!!

Permalink Reply by Ion Paciu on April 6, 2011 at 1:13pm

didn't I say that before :)?

 

you are welcome

Permalink Reply by Damanpreet Kapoor on April 8, 2011 at 12:05am

Thanks for the grt info... One more thing I would like to know is that " is it worth buying a third party lens" I mean I'm just a learner and I have no Idea as to how to check the lens. I'm planning on buying a tamton 70-300mm. But I'm just worried that will the lens quality be fine and if there is any problem that occurs with the functioning of the lens where are the service stations for these lens... (Me being in India)

Permalink Reply by Kristin Chelin on July 17, 2011 at 2:29pm

Such great information. Thanks for all the information because I have been looking into getting another lens and this helps soooo much!.

THANKS!!

Permalink Reply by Stephen Joe Payne on April 6, 2011 at 1:27pm

When I bought my Canon EOS-7D, I figured I would use other lenses often but the best general lens for me is turning out to be the kit lens for the 7D, the 28-135 mm as it works for so many things and I seldom change out now for general photography where I may be shooting a lot of variation.  I can recommend it until you show enough that you think none of us know what we are doing. 

 

Stephen

Permalink Reply by Vilma Salazar on January 24, 2012 at 12:45pm

I agree!!!

Permalink Reply by Rob Bixby on April 6, 2011 at 3:03pm

Joel, I'm going to make this simple.  For a beginner, your lenses will do very well.  You have it covered from wide angle to a pretty decent telephoto.  After you progress in your photography, and decide where your ultimate interests lie, you can look at others.  Remember that  lenses are tools.  You don't need a pneumatic impact driver when you're learning to use a screwdriver.  Learn to take the best photos you can with what you have and then decide what's best for you

Permalink Reply by David Ward on April 6, 2011 at 4:27pm

Learn to walk before u run.  It is far better to have a few quality lenses than a bag of lenses you rarely use.  Find out what u want to specialise in first, the lenses that u have will cover most areas adequently.

 

I would recommend that the first lens that u get is a general low, light lens - 50mm, either 1.8 or 1.4. 

 

However the first thing is to read about photography and the various technics and styles and do LOTS of experimenting.  Most of all have fun and enjoy the process.   : )

Permalink Reply by S. Lloyd Winn on April 7, 2011 at 6:14am

Joel, check to see if there is any lens rental websites in your neck of the woods.  Rent one or two different lens to see which one suits your fancy the most then go from there.

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