6 Types Of Camera Lenses & When to Use Them

Entering the world of photography can be tricky because many types of lenses are available. Not understanding how the aperture controls light can lead to too bright or dark pictures. Not knowing about shutter speed and how it affects motion blur can cause blurry photos, especially when taking pictures of moving things. Incorrect focus techniques, which are often related to depth of field (affected by aperture), can make the main subject of a photo blurry.

Even experienced photographers may find it hard to explain how each lens works, but understanding what it does, its focal length, and its uses can help you pick the right one for a situation. Knowing when to use the right lens is essential to becoming a better photographer. So, in this blog post, we will look at six different types of camera lenses and when to use them.

6 Types Of Camera Lenses & When to Employ Them

When we talk about lenses, we are talking about the common types of camera lenses that photographers use. The same rules apply to different brands, like Sigma or Canon, and different kinds of cameras, like DSLR or Mirrorless. Delenzo Mart is Pakistan's best distributor of all camera lenses, cameras, and accessories.

One important thing to remember is that some lenses are made for specific camera bodies, so always check before you buy. DSLR and While we discuss the features of mirrorless cameras, they contain special sensors. These sensors are the heart of the camera, and they come in two main sizes. The sensors in mirrorless cameras are either the same size as a traditional 35mm film (full-frame) or smaller (crop sensor).

Following are the types of Camera Lenses:

• Fisheye

• Wide angle

• Standard

• Short telephoto

• Medium telephoto

• Super telephoto

• Macro

Essential Guide To Focal Length Size Chart

Fisheye Lens

If you need to capture a broader view, you’ll need a fisheye lens. These create a unique 'fisheye’ effect in your photographs. The SIGMA 15mm f/1.4 DG DN DIAGONAL FISHEYE | Art lens is an ultra-wide-angle lens with a vast field of view. These lenses are more specialized and are not usually needed by most photographers. They are helpful for indoor photography or design work.

Wide-Angle Lenses

Wide-angle lenses are vital if you’re a landscape photographer and want to improve your skills. At Delenzo Mart, one of the most widely used wide angle lenses is the Samyang 35mm F1.4 AF Series. Wide angles have a wider field of view so you can capture more of the scene in front of you than with a zoom lens.

Because of this, wide angles are great for photographing landscapes, as they allow you to show more of the scenery and make the picture look more vivid. They are also suitable for photographing buildings, allowing you to capture the whole building.

Zoom Lenses 

Zoom lenses are common types of camera lenses. You can take pictures from faraway landscapes to close-up portraits, without having to change lenses. These include capturing photos of people present on the streets. Moreover, zoom lenses are best for shooting photos of wildlife animals with intricate details.

Zoom lenses, i.e., SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art, are very flexible, with the most popular being the 24-70mm lens, often used by wedding photographers. For lightweight travel, you can find zoom lenses like 24-70 mm, letting you take pictures up close or from a distance.

Prime Lenses

Prime lenses are classic lenses that have been around as long as cameras. The prime lenses you choose for photography can only focus at one specific distance. With a prime lens, changing how close or far away things appear is impossible. So, you have to physically move closer or farther from your subject. In other words, the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Nikon is made for one specific type of photography, unlike a zoom lens that can be used in many situations.

Because of this, prime lenses usually give much better image quality than zoom lenses, but you need to know when to use them. For example, 35-85 prime lenses are great for portraits, as the focal length is closest to what the human eye sees.

Telephoto Lens

If a standard zoom lens isn’t strong enough for your needs, the next option is a telephoto lens. These large lenses range from 85mm to 135mm, and sometimes even more.

Telephoto lenses, like the Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm F1.8 S Lens, are significant and may need a tripod to hold them, so they’re not as easy to use as a standard zoom lens. However, a telephoto lens can be beneficial if you're a professional wildlife or sports photographer or take pictures of the night sky and stars. 

Telephoto (Sports Series Lens)

A 150-600mm telephoto lens is an excellent tool for sports photographers. Sports often happen far from the sidelines. Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports is the lens that lets photographers take close-up shots of athletes in action, even when they are far away. The long focal length makes the background look smaller, focusing on the athlete. So the longer focal length may create a more enjoyable and attractive picture, while working in the field of sports photography.

Macro Lenses

Macro lenses are essential for capturing small details in nature, scientific, and product photography. They help photographers show the beauty and complexity of nature, document specimens for research and education, and highlight the delicate textures and details of products for ads and marketing. With a macro lens like the Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens, these types of photography can focus on tiny elements, highlighting the precise details that might otherwise be missed.

Wrapping Up

Knowing how each camera lens changes the view and what kind of photos it's best for, is important for photographers. It helps them take better pictures in different situations. Choosing the right lens can improve your skills and help you capture stunning images. Using the right lens lets you take more straightforward, innovative, and better photos. Using the right lens for wedding, product, and portrait photography helps you take more precise, creative, and better pictures.

FAQs

What Are The Best Camera Lenses For Beginners?

Zoom lenses like 24-70mm are good starting points for beginners. The aperture of these lenses controls how much light comes in, which can affect how much of the photo is in focus.

When Should I Use A Wide-Angle Lens Vs. A Telephoto Lens?

Wide-angle lenses are suitable for capturing a large scene, while telephoto lenses are better for focusing on specific subjects or details.

Provide Examples Of When To Use Each (Landscapes Vs. Wildlife, Portraits Vs. Architecture).

Wide-angle lenses are suitable for capturing large scenes like landscapes and buildings, while telephoto lenses are better for focusing on specific subjects, like animals or details. For portraits, telephoto lenses are better for clear and flattering shots, while wide-angle lenses can be used for environmental portraits, though they may cause some distortion.