Best Digital Camera Lens - Understanding Camera Lenses

The two major components of digital cameras that play a big part in image quality are the image sensor and the camera lens. Get the best you can manage as good quality camera lenses are imperative for obtaining the most out of digital photography.

Camera Lenses are available in different focal lengths which determine field of view and depth of focus. As they become longer they can focus on smaller areas but require more definite focusing to obtain a sharp image. The longer the camera lens, the more susceptible they are to movement which in turn will lead to blurred images if the camera is moved during a shot.

Long lenses are at times called telephoto lenses. Because of their reduced field of view, the images shot with telephoto lenses are magnified compared alongside shorter lenses. Similarly, shorter camera lenses deliver a wider field of view, so very short lenses are called wide-angle lenses.

A normal or standard digital camera lens is one that produces an image similar to what the human eye can see. There is no such thing as a standard length for a normal lens because the field of view is directly connected with the size of the image sensor that captures the image. For traditional 35mm cameras, a 50mm lens is considered normal. However, as digital image sensors are much smaller than a frame of 35mm film, the shorter lenses on digital cameras will capture the same field of view as the 50mm lens on a 35mm camera. The specifications of a digital camera lens will often comprise a reference to how the focal length compares to a 35mm camera.

Most digital cameras are equipped with an optical zoom function that changes the focal length of the lens. Optical zooms are rated as a multiplier. For instance, a 3X zoom will enlarge or reduce an image by 3 times from the longest to the shortest setting.

Some digital cameras are also equipped with a digital zoom which is very inferior to an optical zoom. The digital zoom works by cropping the image digitally and then spreading the result over all the photo sites on the image sensor. Better results can be obtained by editing the photo using computer software and therefore.

Digital Camera Lens Converters

Most digital cameras in the midrange and better have the facility to add lens converters.
These allow the attachment of various additional lenses and filters which in turn give your digital photography some further options. Some digital cameras are able to accept lenses which are principally made for conventional film cameras. However, because of the difference in size between film and image sensors these lenses do not produce the same results as with film cameras. A telephoto lens intended for film will have a greater magnifying effect, and a wide angle lens will have less effect on a digital camera.

Looking after Camera Lenses

Camera lenses are quite costly. They should always be stored in cases and covered with lens caps when not in use. Most lenses come with caps but you may have to buy extras in the event they are mislaid. They are generally available and fairly cheap.

Lens hoods are advantageous for controlling the amount of light entering the lens. They result in images that have less contrast which is useful for some outside situations.

Lens cleaning kits are available but should be used as occasionally as possible. Refrain from touching the lens with your fingers as the oils in your skin can cause permanent damage to the lens coating. Clean fingerprints with a soft cloth but first remove dust particles with a blower or soft dusting brush.