Fantastic Lenses and Where to Find Them
- Jan 9, 2017
- 5 min read
So, you've gotten your camera. You chose something like a Nikon or Canon or Pentax, maybe even a Sony. More than likely, you purchased a kit, which included a standard 18-55mm lens or something similar. Perhaps you even got yourself a zoom lens, such as a 75-300mm. Perhaps, you're like me, and you've begun to pursue photography as a career, rather than just a hobby. This means that you'll need at least a few lenses in your arsenal. For those of you who were like me, and you were absolutely clueless on what kind of lenses you need, I hope this can be a helpful little guide for you. For those of you who are familiar with lenses, if you have any helpful tips, let me know!
As much as I love the fact that many cameras come with the option to purchase lenses, the lenses you often wind up with don't offer “tack-sharp” images; especially telephoto lenses. If the lighting is off, or you happen to move slightly, your images can wind up looking shaky and blurry. When I went out to Oregon in 2015, and Montana in 2016, the telephoto zoom lens proved to be my biggest source of frustration, because all I wanted to do was take a picture of Multnomah Falls and Seaside, and of the landscape of Billings, and I couldn't do either! It was frustrating, and it drove me absolutely insane. I started to do a little reading regarding my frustration, and Scott Kelby's book, The Digital Photography Book (which you can purchase here) showed me that I really needed to change my lens game. In order to do that, I started doing research on which lenses would fit my needs. One thing I will say is that prime lenses (meaning they don't change focal length, like say a 18-55mm) provide better quality images, and I prefer to just adjust my shooting location in order to use them more. Now, I can really only speak for Nikon and partially Canon (because I know what lenses they use), but you could modify this for any brand of camera/lens. Figure out what would work best for you! Don't be afraid to do some research before you spring to purchase something expensive like a camera lens. Below is a list of a few Fantastic Lenses and Where to Find Them.
50mm f/1.8 lens
This is a really nifty little lens to keep around. Not only does it make a good portrait lens, but it's great for stuff like street photography, because it's small enough that it's not crazy intrusive. Plus, it's fairly inexpensive, as far as lenses go. It's one of my absolute favorites because it's great for taking pictures of flowers, too. It's one I highly recommend purchasing. I'd recommend buying the f/1.8 version of the lens, because it works just fine for your needs and it's a little cheaper than the f/1.4.
35mm f.1.8 lens
This one is great for landscapes, group portraits, and street photography. As a prime lens, just like the 50mm, they'll give you tack-sharp pictures that are excellent resolution. Like the 50mm, the 35mm is fairly inconspicuous, and easy to pack and carry around. It's also on the cheaper end, and I really like that it's got such a great focal length. I'd definitely recommend this one, especially if you like landscape or street photography.
14mm f/2.8 lens
Now, this one I don't personally own, but I have used it (I'm waiting on the funds to purchase this one, actually). This one is an ultra wide-angle prime lens, which allows you to get the whole view. Perfect for sports photography (think: you can get the whole stadium/field/Superdome), or landscape photography (you can capture everything). I personally probably wouldn't by the AF Nikkor version (because I unfortunately don't have a money tree in my backyard), but this one is a really nice lens. I plan on making the purchase soon because I do a LOT of landscape photography. A friend let me borrow hers not long ago and I fell in love instantly. It's perfect, especially if you're a hiker and like to get shots of the whole scene.
60mm f/2.8
Now, I'm not typically one for macro lenses because they can get expensive and I don't have funds for insanely expensive lenses, but this is one to have if you're looking for a good macro lens. If you're into blog photography or like to take pictures of birds or flowers, this is a great lens to have in your collection. Granted, it is a bit pricier, but if you want to spring it, it's worth it. Personally, I don't have a need for it, but if it's your thing, it's a good lens to have.
200-500mm f/5.6 and 500mm f/4 lenses
This is, by far, the most expensive lens in the list, but if you're a serious sports photographer, this is one that you'll want to have. Admittedly, Canon is a little bit better in the sports lens game than Nikon, but both are really expensive. I wouldn't recommend buying this lens unless you're seriously into photography that would require such an investment, However, if you're headed that route, I'd highly recommend getting this lens, as it's good quality and it's crucial to capture the pictures you need!
Photography can become a highly expensive hobby if you let it. Between lenses, flashes, tripods, lighting equipment, editing software, film, camera bodies, it can easily become something you spend thousands of dollars on. That's why it's important to know where to spend your money, and what to spend your money on. Do your research, play around, find out what you like and don't like. If they have them in your area, photography workshops are always helpful for this kind of thing. I always encourage people to seek out other photographers that might offer advice. That's what I did when it came time to purchase a new lens! Which lens is your favorite? Do you have a specific brand that you love? If so, shoot me an email, or find me on Instagram @notspanishmoss! Thanks for reading! Below are a few images I've taken with a few of my favorite lenses over the years. Can you guess which ones I used? Hope this was helps you, and if it does, please share!
-Amanda
Comments