Photographie is an art-science blend, a harmony of vision and equipment. Congratulations! After one year of using your first interchangeable-lens camera, you are no longer a novice. You have shot many frames and tried out different settings. You’ve experienced both the thrill of capturing a perfect moment, and the frustration at missing it. Your kit lens has been there for you through all of it. But is that enough?
You may have found yourself in situations when your kit lens just couldn’t capture the image you wanted. Perhaps the landscape was too large, or the bird in the distance seemed too small. You may have wanted to take pictures in low-light conditions without increasing the ISO, which would compromise image quality. While your kit lens may be a good starting point, there are limitations.
Different lenses can open up an entire world of creative opportunities. They can change the way you see and capture the world. Each lens has its own set of constraints and features that can affect the composition, details, and emotional impact in your photos. If you’re looking to expand your horizons, literally, with a wide angle lens, or to zoom in on the finer details of life in your photos – investing in different lenses will take your photography into new heights.
If you want to elevate your photography to a professional level and diversify your toolkit, then read on. This guide will explain the various types of lenses, their advantages, and how you can choose the best one for you.
- See our guides Understanding camera types and Photography for Beginners for more information. Also, browse our buying guides.
Benefits of different types of lenses
You’ll quickly discover that the quality of your camera depends on the lens you use. Like the different brushes in an artists’ kit, each lens has its own way of seeing the world. Each brings texture, nuance, and emotion to the canvas. The lens that you select can have a dramatic impact on what you are able capture and how.
This section will highlight the benefits of the various lenses on the market. There’s a lens for every creative objective, whether you’re a landscape photographer who wants a wider vista or an enthusiast of portrait photography who wants to isolate their subjects from the background.
This introduction will help you to understand the creative and versatile possibilities of different lenses for your photography.