Every photographer knows that choosing the right lens is a key element to achieving the desired image quality. The types of photographic lenses vary in construction, angle of view, focal length and application. The choice of lens depends on the type of photography you intend to do - from landscape photography to sports photography to portrait photography. It is therefore worth understanding the basic division of lenses so that we can make an informed choice of equipment to suit our needs.
Wide angle lenses, telephoto lenses, standard lenses, macro lenses, fixed focal length lenses and zoom lenses are just some of the types of lenses available on the market. Each of these types has its own unique characteristics and specific applications. A zoom lens, for example, offers flexibility through the ability to change the focal length, which is particularly useful in dynamic situations such as sports photography.
Today's photographic lenses are designed with different user needs in mind. Some models, such as the macro lens, allow you to shoot very close up, which is ideal for nature photography, while wide-angle lenses with a wide angle of view are ideal for architecture and landscape photography. Understanding these differences is key to optimal lens selection.
How a photographic lens works
A photographic lens is a complex optical system whose main function is to collect light rays and focus them onto the camera sensor, creating a sharp image. The lens design includes multiple lenses that are precisely aligned along the optical axis to minimise optical aberrations and produce a high quality image. One lens can be used to correct distortion while another controls light dispersion.
The point of intersection is the point where light rays concentrate in the lens to form a sharp image on the camera sensor. Depending on the type of lens and its design, this point can be closer or further away from the sensor, which affects the focal length and angle of view of the lens. The focal length defines how the lens 'sees' the scene - whether it is a wider angle of view, as with wide-angle lenses, or a narrower angle of view, as with telephoto lenses.
The brightness of a lens, defined by the maximum aperture (for example, f/1.8), affects the amount of light the lens can let through. Lenses with high brightness are ideal for shooting in low-light conditions and allow a shallow depth of field, which is particularly desirable for portrait photography.
Lens viewing angle and focal length
The angle of view of a lens is a key parameter that determines how wide an area of a scene we can capture in a photograph. It is closely linked to the focal length of the lens and the format of the camera sensor. A shorter focal length gives a wider angle of view, which is ideal for landscape photography, while a longer focal length offers a narrower angle of view, useful for sports or nature photography.
Focal length equivalent is a conversion factor used to understand how the focal length of a lens translates to different sensor formats, such as full-frame or APS-C. On a camera with a full-frame sensor, a lens with a focal length of 50mm will have a different angle of view than on a camera with an APS-C sensor.
Changing the focal length on zoom lenses allows quick adaptation to different situations without having to change lenses. Fixed focal length lenses, on the other hand, usually offer higher image quality and greater brightness at the expense of less versatility. The choice between these two types of lens depends on the individual photographer's preference and the specific requirements of the shoot.
What types of lenses are there?
The types of lenses vary and each is tailored to the specific needs of the photographer. The basic division of lenses includes wide-angle lenses, standard lenses, telephoto lenses, zoom lenses (zooms) and fixed-focus lenses. Each of these lens types has its own unique characteristics and applications.
Wide angle lenses, as the name suggests, are characterised by a wide angle of view. They are ideal for photographing expansive landscapes, interiors and architecture. Standard lenses, on the other hand, offer an angle of view similar to the human eye, making them an excellent choice for everyday photography and portraits.
Telephoto lenses are equipped with a long focal length, allowing you to photograph distant subjects with great precision. They are indispensable for sports and nature photography. Varifocal lenses allow flexible changes in focal length during shooting, which is very useful in dynamic situations such as reportage or events.
Wide angle lenses
Wide angle lenses are extremely popular with landscape and architectural photographers due to their ability to capture a wide field of view. With a wide angle lens, we can capture more detail of a scene in a single frame. These lenses typically have a short focal length, such as 16mm, which allows for a wide angle of view.
Shooting with a wide-angle lens can lead to interesting perspective effects that add depth and dynamism to your images. However, a wide angle of view can also cause distortion, especially at the edges of the frame, which needs to be taken into account when composing the photo. High-brightness wide-angle lenses, such as f/2.8, allow photography in more difficult lighting conditions.
Fisheye lenses are a particular type of wide-angle lens that offer an extremely wide angle of view, often close to 180 degrees. They give a very specific, convex effect that can be used for creative shots.
Standard lenses
Standard lenses are an essential tool for any photographer. They have a focal length close to what the human eye sees, which makes them very versatile. A standard lens, such as a 50mm on a full-frame sensor, is an ideal choice for portrait photography because its angle of view and perspective are very natural.
Standard lenses are also prized for their brightness, which allows you to shoot in low-light conditions and achieve a shallow depth of field. This allows for beautiful bokeh effects that cut off the main subject from the background. High-brightness models, such as f/1.4, are particularly popular with professional photographers.
Today's standard lenses also offer excellent image quality, minimising aberrations and distortion through advanced optical design. Look out for models equipped with image stabilisation, which is useful when shooting handheld.
Telephoto lenses
Telephoto lenses are ideal for photographing subjects from a distance. With a long focal length that can reach up to 600mm, telephoto lenses allow you to capture details that are inaccessible to the human eye. They are indispensable in nature and sports photography, where the ability to shoot at long distances is important.
Telephoto lenses also offer the possibility of a shallow depth of field, which is ideal for isolating the subject from the background. However, their use requires some practice, as long focal lengths can lead to camera shake and blurred images. Therefore, tripods or monopods are often used when shooting with a telephoto lens.
Also worth mentioning are telephoto zoom lenses, which offer the flexibility to change the focal length depending on the situation. An example of such a lens is the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM, which allows you to shoot both up close and far away.
Which lens to choose for which type of photography?
The choice of lens depends on the type of photography you intend to do. For landscape photography, the best lenses will be wide-angle lenses that allow you to capture wide panoramas and a wealth of detail. For sports and nature photography, telephoto lenses will be ideal, allowing you to shoot from a long distance while retaining detail.
For portrait photography, it's worth choosing a high-brightness standard lens for natural perspective and beautiful bokeh. For architectural photography, where perspective correction is important, consider a tilt-shift lens.
Macro photography requires a specialised macro lens that allows for a large scale of reproduction and shooting at very close range. Varifocal lenses, on the other hand, are ideal for reportage photography, where conditions can change dynamically.
How to use lens selection
Choosing the right lens is not just a question of technical performance, but also of knowing how to put its benefits into practice. For example, a wide-angle lens allows you to experiment with perspective and depth of field, which can add dynamic range and depth to your photos. A telephoto lens, on the other hand, allows you to isolate your subject from the background, which is particularly useful in nature photography.
Zoom lenses offer flexibility that is invaluable in dynamic situations where there is no time to change lenses. This allows you to react quickly to changing conditions and capture decisive moments. Macro lenses, on the other hand, open up entirely new possibilities in detail photography, allowing you to discover the world on a micro scale.
Each type of lens offers different opportunities and challenges, so it's worth experimenting and adapting your lens choice to suit your needs and style of photography.
What other photographic lens parameters are worth remembering?
In addition to focal length, angle of view or brightness, there are many other parameters to consider when choosing a photographic lens. For example, reproduction scale is important in macro photography, where the ability to capture fine detail at high magnification counts.
Image stabilisation is another important parameter, especially for long focal lengths and handheld shooting. It helps to reduce camera shake and avoid blurred images. The minimum focus distance determines how close we can get to the subject to get a sharp image, which is particularly important in macro photography.
The lens mount is also an important element to look at to ensure compatibility with your camera. Lenses from different manufacturers, such as Canon, Nikon or Sony, may have different mounts, so it is worth making sure the lens you choose fits your camera.
In summary, lens selection is a key part of successful photography. Each type of lens offers different capabilities and specifications, so take the time to understand which lens will best suit your needs and style of photography.
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