.
I mean... it's just a piece of glass....
Answer
Camera lenses are so expensive because the demand for these lenses exists among consumers to such a level that the manufacturer can charge that price for the available supply of lenses.
But for what it's worth, a camera lens is just a piece of glass in the same way that a computer is just a calculator.
Camera lenses are so expensive because the demand for these lenses exists among consumers to such a level that the manufacturer can charge that price for the available supply of lenses.
But for what it's worth, a camera lens is just a piece of glass in the same way that a computer is just a calculator.
Can anybody please help me more about camera lenses?
Kenjii_Won
I don't understand what is the difference between some of the lenses. For example, what is the difference between 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G and 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G. I don't understand it really. Please help me. And what kind of lense should I use for landscape photography and what lenses for portrait and street photography? I heard people say they use a 50mm lenses for street photography. Then can I use the 18-55mm lenses?
I'm using a Nikon D3100.
Answer
The first distinction of lenses is the focal length.
The shorter lengths are for wide angle shots (say landscapes and wide vistas of mountains, or even inside photos of a cathedral where you want to take in everything).
The longer lengths are for bringing distant objects close. Think of these lenses like binoculars.
The "f" numbers are the maximum aperture (largest opening), and among other things tell you how much light your lens will let into the sensor. And typically the lower the number, the higher quality the lens is as it is more expensive to make such lenses.
So when you look for lenses, there are three criteria.
First, the lens has to cover the range you are wanting to photograph. Second, the aperture, which provides the lens's ability for low light, and lastly, the cost.
Within that criteria, there are also other things to consider.
All zoom lenses have lower quality than prime (non-zoom) lenses. While these days zoom lenses are much improved, the best zoom lenses are still 3x or less. Lenses such as the 18-300mm you mentioned is a 17x zoom (called a super-zoom), and the quality of such a lens is too poor for some photographers. But other photographers are willing to compromise the lens quality for the convenience of having s single lens.
I own a 18-200mm lens, and I make such a trade off with this lens. It is not very good when used wide open (maximum aperture), but if I stop down to an aperture of f/8, then it is pretty good. So the compromise I make with this lens is that af f/8, I can only use it in daylight conditions if I want the best photos.
So this is my "vacation lens", and I only use it on vacations as it is easier to carry than a suitcase full of lenses, and I am willing to accept the compromise of using it in daylight conditions only.
The second lens you mentioned, the 55-300mm lens is what is more traditionally thought of as a telephoto zoom. At 5x, it is closer to being ideal, but unfortunately, it is an entry-level lens, so it also has some optical issues when used wide open. And it has the low-cost characteristics of not having internal focusing (the lens barrel turns when focusing), and it has the first generation VR.
However, both lenses are less expensive than the high end professional lenses that cost multi-thousands of dollars, so the limitations are acceptable for anyone but professionals.
Also, both of these lenses are "DX", intended for APS DSLRs (cropped). Other Nikon lenses may be "FX", and while they can be used on a APS DSLR, they can also be used with a full frame DSLR. However, DX lenses cannot be used on a full frame DSLR, so if you are ever thinking of upgrading, buying FX lenses vs. DX lenses is a consideration.
The 50mm lens you mentioned is a great lens. But on your camera, you may find you have to backup a bit. For that reason, some folks that have DX cameras prefer the 35mm lens. I still prefer the 50mm lens on a DX camera, because I like the lower perspective distortion from such a lens, even though I have to backup a bit.
Finally, your D3100 is an entry level DSLR. As such, it can only autofocus with AF-S lenses (which have built-in focus motors in the lens). Older legacy AF lenses require the focus motor to be in the camera, so your camera cannot autofocus those. Only the advanced amateur and professional cameras can use autofocus those lenses.
While that means your lens selection is more limited by not using AF lenses, there are still plenty of AF-S lenses available, as Nikon has slowly been moving away from AF. Even today, only a handful of AF lenses are still produced. These are older designs still in production. Virtually all DX lenses are AF-S (except for the 10.5mm fisheye).
This is just hitting the highlights of lenses. You could write a book about just the different lenses and their purposes.
The first distinction of lenses is the focal length.
The shorter lengths are for wide angle shots (say landscapes and wide vistas of mountains, or even inside photos of a cathedral where you want to take in everything).
The longer lengths are for bringing distant objects close. Think of these lenses like binoculars.
The "f" numbers are the maximum aperture (largest opening), and among other things tell you how much light your lens will let into the sensor. And typically the lower the number, the higher quality the lens is as it is more expensive to make such lenses.
So when you look for lenses, there are three criteria.
First, the lens has to cover the range you are wanting to photograph. Second, the aperture, which provides the lens's ability for low light, and lastly, the cost.
Within that criteria, there are also other things to consider.
All zoom lenses have lower quality than prime (non-zoom) lenses. While these days zoom lenses are much improved, the best zoom lenses are still 3x or less. Lenses such as the 18-300mm you mentioned is a 17x zoom (called a super-zoom), and the quality of such a lens is too poor for some photographers. But other photographers are willing to compromise the lens quality for the convenience of having s single lens.
I own a 18-200mm lens, and I make such a trade off with this lens. It is not very good when used wide open (maximum aperture), but if I stop down to an aperture of f/8, then it is pretty good. So the compromise I make with this lens is that af f/8, I can only use it in daylight conditions if I want the best photos.
So this is my "vacation lens", and I only use it on vacations as it is easier to carry than a suitcase full of lenses, and I am willing to accept the compromise of using it in daylight conditions only.
The second lens you mentioned, the 55-300mm lens is what is more traditionally thought of as a telephoto zoom. At 5x, it is closer to being ideal, but unfortunately, it is an entry-level lens, so it also has some optical issues when used wide open. And it has the low-cost characteristics of not having internal focusing (the lens barrel turns when focusing), and it has the first generation VR.
However, both lenses are less expensive than the high end professional lenses that cost multi-thousands of dollars, so the limitations are acceptable for anyone but professionals.
Also, both of these lenses are "DX", intended for APS DSLRs (cropped). Other Nikon lenses may be "FX", and while they can be used on a APS DSLR, they can also be used with a full frame DSLR. However, DX lenses cannot be used on a full frame DSLR, so if you are ever thinking of upgrading, buying FX lenses vs. DX lenses is a consideration.
The 50mm lens you mentioned is a great lens. But on your camera, you may find you have to backup a bit. For that reason, some folks that have DX cameras prefer the 35mm lens. I still prefer the 50mm lens on a DX camera, because I like the lower perspective distortion from such a lens, even though I have to backup a bit.
Finally, your D3100 is an entry level DSLR. As such, it can only autofocus with AF-S lenses (which have built-in focus motors in the lens). Older legacy AF lenses require the focus motor to be in the camera, so your camera cannot autofocus those. Only the advanced amateur and professional cameras can use autofocus those lenses.
While that means your lens selection is more limited by not using AF lenses, there are still plenty of AF-S lenses available, as Nikon has slowly been moving away from AF. Even today, only a handful of AF lenses are still produced. These are older designs still in production. Virtually all DX lenses are AF-S (except for the 10.5mm fisheye).
This is just hitting the highlights of lenses. You could write a book about just the different lenses and their purposes.
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