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regarding your camera lens

Optical vs. digital zoom

This web page deals exclusively with optical zoom camera lenses. A digital zoom camera lens is not worth commenting upon except to say that it produces muddled photos. I strongly recommend that you use only optical zoom, which delivers good resolution.

Which is best lens option
for the traveler?

I believe most travelers would be better off taking one zoom lens instead of a large set of fixed-length lenses because of the bulk and weight factors.

I recommend a zoom at or near the 28 to 105mm range. For wildlife environments, an 80 to 200mm zoom would make more sense. For traveler's with broad needs, both lenses might fit the bill.

If the traveler wishes to bring one zoom lens plus a focal-length lens, he should select a focal length that is appreciably greater or lesser than his zoom's range. This gives him added flexibility.

Zoom vs. fixed-length lenses

A zoom lens lets you use a range of focal lengths, which are measured in mm (millimeter) units. The higher the number, the greater the magnification and the narrower the angle of view.

A fixed-length lens cannot zoom. It shoots only at its proscribed mm focal length. Fixed-length lenses produce slightly sharper pictures than do zooms. They are also somewhat faster.

Lens collections

Professionals assemble a set of fixed-length and zoom lenses to suit their every need.

Popular zoom configurations

Three of the more popular zoom configurations:

28 to 105mm
80 to 200mm
100 to 300mm

Fixed-length configurations

You have a broad choice. Popular sizes include:

24mm (wide angle)
28mm (wide angle)
35mm (wide angle)
50mm (standard)
85mm (low telescopic)
100mm (low telescopic)
135mm (mid telescopic)
300mm (high telescopic)

There are also 600mm lenses (see photo above). They are big and heavy - and costs as much as US$9,000. Professional sports and wildlife photographers use them.

When to use certain lenses

Each of these camera lenses excels in taking certain types of photos:

Wide-angle

Use it for photographing landscapes because of its broad view and large depth of field. It's also excellent for building interiors.

Standard

Use it when taking group shots - or when you're not sure which lens would be best.

Telescopic

Use it to bring distant objects closer - or to expand the depth of field.

Macro

Use this camera lens to take very up close photos of, for example, flowers (some lenses can focus within two inches of the subject).

Also learn to avoid these
top 10 travel photo mistakes

1 - Photographing people
2 - Composing your shots
3 - Using flash
4 - Taking landscape shots
5 - After your trip
6 - Memory
7 - Camera features
8 - Batteries
9 - Lens
10-Other situations

 

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