Do all camera lenses, fit all didgital SLR cameras?

Lissy Syke

I am doing AS photography and am saving up for a digital SLR camera, I do not have that much monney, and most of the cameras I have looked at are around £400, this is fine, but I am not sure what I should get, or should I buy the lens seperately, any suggestions on what camera/ lens i should get, and where i can buy them from, thankyou :)

Answer
"Do all camera lenses fit all digital cameras?" No they do not. Each camera manufacturer uses a proprietary lens mount so only lenses designed for that mount will work.

Sony uses the Minolta Maxxum AF A-mount so any Maxxum lens made since 1985 can be used on the current Sony DSLR cameras.

Pentax uses the K-mount first introduced in 1975 so any K-mount lens ever made can be used on the current Pentax DSLR cameras.

Nikon still uses the N-mount first introduced around 1959 so, with a few rare exceptions, every Nikon lens made since then can be used on any Nikon camera ever made.

Canon introduced their EF-mount with the EOS Rebel AF 35mm camera in 1989. Any EF-mount lens can be used on a Canon EOS 35mm SLR or EOS DSLR. Canon has muddied the waters some with their lower-end EF-S mount lenses which cannot be used with the older EOS 35mm cameras or the EOS full-frame DSLR cameras.

Olympus adopted the 4/3 mount for their current DSLR cameras so the older OM-mount lenses from the 35mm SLR cameras cannot be used.

Tamron, Sigma and Tokina all offer lenses for Sony, Pentax, Nikon, Canon and Olympus

You can buy adapters to use older Minolta SR-mount lenses on a Sony or Canon or Olympus DSLR.

You can buy an adapter to use the older Canon FD-mount lenses on a Canon DSLR.

You can buy an adapter to use the older Olympus OM-mount lenses on Olympus DSLRs.

Once you decide on a camera body plan on staying with that brand. Lenses are a major cost and should be considered as an investment. DSLR bodies are replaced every 18 to 24 months by professional photographers.

Tell me about camera lenses?

me.

I'm looking into buying a DSLR and lenses to buy with it. I've heard that the 50 mm is a great one to have but what does the number mean? Which lenses zoom in the most? What are the ratios for? Which lenses are in your opinion the best to have?

Answer
If you are like most DSLR owners, you will spend far more money on lenses than the camera. If not up front, then over a few years.

Each photographer has their likes and preferences as to which lenses they like. Nikon for instance has over 70 lenses in their current catalog, and Canon is similar. Add to that the 3rd party lenses, as well as lenses that are on the used market (but discontinued models), and you have literally hundreds of lens choices.

Since choosing the wrong lens is an expensive mistake, and since you probably don't yet have the best idea of what lenses are important to you, I would suggest buying the DSLR with the kit lens (usually 18-55mm or 18-105mm, or other - depending on the model). These lenses are good starter lenses, and will get you by until you get a better idea of what lenses you prefer.

In the DSLR world, there are several lens types to consider:

Prime lenses - non zoom lenses fixed at one focal length.

Zoom lenses - lenses that can vary their focal length.

Professional grade lenses - usually fast apertures; f/2.8 for zooms, f/1.4 for primes.

Consumer grade lenses - usually slower and variable apertures.

Macro lenses: specifically for close up.

Portraiture lenses: ideal for portraiture.

Perspective control lenses: allows you to control the distortion of the lens, ideal for buildings.

Telephoto lenses - those that bring far away objects up close.

Wide Angle lenses - those that allow for the maximum scenery.

Fisheye lenses - well, for the fisheye effect.

and so on...

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Why do camera lenses cost more than the camera themselves?

katy s

Why do the cameras cost around $1200's and the camera are about $600.

Answer
Like cameras themselves, lenses differ.

They aren't more expensive... there are just more expensive lenses than there are more expensive cameras.

That's because they're trying to target consumers with the cameras. The few pro cameras are expensive because they're targeting pros.

There are cheap lenses from less than a hundred. It goes up, for pro lenses such as Carl Zeiss or Canon's L series, from $1000, mostly $3000. Telephoto lenses in particular are around $10,000 each.

I don't like it either. But... you *do* get what you pay for. Literally too, of course. If you didn't, you'd have been scammed. =)

Why are camera lenses so expensive?

.

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.

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Why are camera lenses so expensive?

.

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.

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.

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What are the best camera lenses to use for portraits and concerts?

best camera lenses image

x�mead

I just want to hear your suggestions about what camera lenses to use use if you want to...

Take sharp portraits. A lense that captures face and body well. When you photograph outfits or fashion and makeup pictures.

Secondly, I wonder if there's any good lense for concert photography? I guess I should look for a tele-zoom. Some people say they make pictures more blurry. Is this true or just a myth?

Thank you.

Answer
Good portraits can be taken with any quality lens, however something in the 50mm-85mm range is good on a APS-C sized sensor (ie entry levels & prosumer DSLR's). I use either a 50mm f1.8, a 50mm f2.8 macro or an 85mm f1.8.

Concert work - well depends on how close you are & how much light there is. If you're some distance from the stage you'll need something with some reach - a good general purpose lens would be something like the 18-200mm. If its dark, you'll need a lens which is capable of wide apertures (ie f2.8). Unfortunately, to get a combination of long reach AND wide aperture costs a great deal!

What are the names of these canon camera lenses?

Niko

I need 2 Canon EOS Rebel T3i Digital SLR Camera lenses. One lens that makes the background blurry, and a fish eye lens that doesn't have the black parts on the side while I'm filming. Also, I heard some canon cameras only take photos but do not film. I have not bought the camera yet so I want to know if this camera takes photos AND videos or just videos.

Answer
For the "background blurry" effect, this is more of an in-camera technique than any specific lens. The faster the lens (the larger the aperture) and more telephoto it is, the more background blur it will have - if setup in the camera properly. There are many lenses that will do this.

Any lens that is f/2.8 or faster, or a telephoto lens above 100mm will work for this purpose - again when used properly.

I created this photo with a 200mm telephoto at f/5.6, so all you need is either a fast lens OR a telephoto lens:

http://www.caribbean-cruising.net/ports/aruba18.jpg

Nikon though does have a DC lens that has a decoupling (or de-focusing) element that assists in blurry backgrounds (as well as blurry foregrounds), but I am not sure if there is a Canon lens with the same feature.

The fisheye lens you want is a "diagonal fisheye". Circular fisheyes and the cheap add-on front lens fisheye filters produce the circle (with the black parts) you don't want. A diagonal fisheye does not.

Circular fisheye:

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/client/images/productphotos/08142009_img_97451.jpg

Diagonal fisheye:

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/client/images/productphotos/bondi1.jpg

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Is it good to buy used camera lenses on Ebay?

best camera lenses image

Rodolfo

Is it good to buy used camera lenses on Ebay? Only on the right price and what other good website that sell good used lenses? Other than just ebay. Thanks!

Answer
Depends on the lens, both in terms of Make-model and in terms of the specific lens being sold.

I would not even consider a lens of any make under $300 new. The savings over new are lost in shipping costs if you have to send one back.

While I PREFER craigslist and the ability to inspect prior to purchase, I would not rule out eBay for high end lenses/cameras.

While used is always a gamble, you can tip the odds firmly in your favor. Know what you want, and problems that are common (Dust, mold, scratched glass, failed electronics, dented lens filter threads, etc). LOTS of people get a lens for a specific project, event, trip. Additionally, job loss, divorce, or loss of interest gets people motivated to sell camera gear...some nearly new.

You have to be patient, look at a lot of adds, evaluate the "story". You also have to look at the return policy, eMail or call to clarify if you have questions. AND look at the seller's history.

I have purchased lenses, (very expensive) cameras, flashes and other gear, used, on eBay. I have never received an item that was not accurately described.

Just keep a skeptical attitude, and plan for a worst-case. Understand ebays conflict resolution policies, return policy. Again, I would not buy a $300 hoping for a $50 savings. But a $1000 savings, at the risk of having to send it back and start over...I'll take that bet.

What are the best camera lenses to use for portraits and concerts?

x�mead

I just want to hear your suggestions about what camera lenses to use use if you want to...

Take sharp portraits. A lense that captures face and body well. When you photograph outfits or fashion and makeup pictures.

Secondly, I wonder if there's any good lense for concert photography? I guess I should look for a tele-zoom. Some people say they make pictures more blurry. Is this true or just a myth?

Thank you.

Answer
Good portraits can be taken with any quality lens, however something in the 50mm-85mm range is good on a APS-C sized sensor (ie entry levels & prosumer DSLR's). I use either a 50mm f1.8, a 50mm f2.8 macro or an 85mm f1.8.

Concert work - well depends on how close you are & how much light there is. If you're some distance from the stage you'll need something with some reach - a good general purpose lens would be something like the 18-200mm. If its dark, you'll need a lens which is capable of wide apertures (ie f2.8). Unfortunately, to get a combination of long reach AND wide aperture costs a great deal!

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