Camera Lenses

Camera lenses

The ability to swap optics is the reason the word lens is so important in the abbreviation SLR/DSLR. Some factors to consider when choosing a camera include:

• Lens quality: Are the lenses of a particular vendor known for their quality, both optically and mechanically (what is known as build quality)? Does this vendor offer multiple lens lines with economy lenses that might be a little less rugged but afford ably priced, as well as pro-style lenses with the ultimate in sharpness and ruggedness? Depending on the type of photography you do, trading off a little weight and replacing a few metal parts with tough plastic might be important. Or, you might require lenses that can take punishment and still deliver sparkling results.

• Focal length ranges: Some vendors are stronger in the telephoto lens department and weaker when it comes to providing wide-angle lenses. Some do a better job with certain kinds of zooms than others. Make sure that vendor of the camera you're contemplating offers lenses in the focal lengths and maximum apertures you require. If not, see whether you can fill in the lenses you require from third-party vendors, such as Tamron and Sigma. These manufacturers' optical offerings might be completely satisfactory — or they might not. It's best to see whether the lenses you will need are readily available at a price you can afford.

• Special features: Focal lengths, zoom ranges, and maximum aperture aren't the only features you want in a lens. You might need close focusing, fast autofocus (which is partially dependent on the design of the lens), or the ability to control the out-of-focus areas of an image. (Nikon, for example, has a line of DC lenses that are great for portraiture because you can control how the defocused areas look.