There are six main categories of camera lenses, each with their own unique features. Understanding the differences between these categories is the key to choosing the right lens for you and your needs.
I’ll do my level best to outline the basic definitions of each type of lens and explain it in an easy to understand way. I’ll also include example images that I have taken in a professional capacity so you can see how these different types of lenses translate into the real world.
So, let’s take a closer look at each of these lens categories and when to use them:
Different types of camera lenses and what they are for
Standard Lenses:
In the simplest of terms, a standard lens is any lens that has a focal length (the number in mm) of anywhere from 35mm to 50mm.
Why do we call them ‘standard’?
Basically because what you see when you look through a 35mm or 50mm lens is very similar to what the human eye sees. By that we mean, the level of magnification, what we see in our periphery, that kind of thing. Pictures taken at these focal lengths look ‘normal’.
Standard lenses have a focal length that is neither wide nor long, making them versatile for a variety of uses. They are typically used for everyday photography where you want the subjects to be represented as close to real life as possible, street photography, portraits, and travel photography, that kind of thing.
Why use these lenses?
When shooting a portrait, the lens you chose will determne how your subject will look. If you use a lens that is too wide or too long, the persons facial features become distorted. A standard lens can help you capture the subject in a natural-looking way without distorting their features.
This image was shot at a wedding during the couples first dance on a 50mm lens. I’m probably 10ft away from them:
Telephoto Lenses:
Telephoto lenses are used to capture subjects that are far away.
Think of scenarios where you want to fill the frame of your picture with the subject but you can’t get physically close enough to them. Lions in the Serengeti, a footballer taking a penalty…or just the common bird in your back garden. Then you need a telephoto lens.
They have a narrow field of view and are typically longer in focal length than standard lenses. Anything above 50mm is typically considered telephoto, but the difference between an 85mm lens and a 300mm lens is quite significant, so whilst you may need a telephoto lens for photographing your desired subject, the length that you need may vary.
Telephoto lenses can be used in a variety of settings, most typically sports photography, wildlife photography, and portrait photography.
This image was shot during a couples wedding ceremony on an 85mm lens, I’m probably…20ft away from them:
A telephoto lens can help you zoom in and capture the subject in detail without getting too close and disturbing whatever is happening. Whether that’s an intimae moment between people or observing animals natural behaviour in the wild.
Wide-Angle Lenses:
Wide-angle lenses have a shorter focal length than standard lenses, giving them a wider field of view.
They are great for capturing landscapes, cityscapes, and other scenarios where you’re trying to convey a sense of space.
They can also be used in tight spaces where it may be difficult to get a shot with a longer lens, think of estate agent property listings. They use wide angle lenses to show the entire room in one shot. The problem with those pictures though is that they make the rooms look a lot bigger than they are.
A lens is considered wide angle when it has a focal length less than 35mm.
This image was shot on a 17mm lens, I’m stood right next to the group of lads, note how the wide angle lens has distorted the guy in the bottom left of the picture:
Macro Lenses:
Macro lenses are designed for extreme close-up photography.
They have a high magnification ratio, allowing you to capture small details and textures in your subject. Macro lenses are commonly used for nature photography, such as capturing the intricate details of flowers or insects.
For example, when shooting a close-up of a flower, a macro lens can help you capture the fine details of the petals and stamen.
Fisheye Lenses:
Fisheye lenses have an extremely wide field of view, giving them a unique type of distortion.
Made famous in the 90s for their use in skateboarding videos, they can also be used to capture panoramic views.
For example, when shooting a cityscape, a fisheye lens can help you capture the entire skyline in a single shot, with unique and visually interesting distortion.
Tilt-Shift Lenses:
Tilt-shift lenses are specialized lenses that allow you to adjust the plane of focus and perspective distortion.
The tilt shift effect was discovered during the era of cameras that used bellows to focus. The film plane and the lens plane could be moved independently and the result was crazy depth of field effects.
Photographers then realised that this ability meant that they could correct what’s called parallax error when photographing buildings. You know when you look up at a building and it tapers away from you? A tilt shift lens can correct that so the lines go straight up instead of tapering in.
Other applications of the lens include examples like the image below, where selective focus can make landscapes look like miniature toy scenes.
Understanding the differences between these six main categories of camera lenses is important for any photographer.
Each lens has its own unique features and purposes, and knowing when to use each one can help you take your photography to the next level.
Now we’ve got the basics covered, we can introduce some other lens related terms.
What is a Zoom lens?
A zoom lens is a type of camera lens that allows you to adjust the focal length, and hence the angle of view, without physically moving the camera.
Unlike a prime lens, which has a fixed focal length, a zoom lens can provide a range of focal lengths that can vary from wide angle to telephoto, making it a versatile choice for many photography genres.
One of the main advantages of a zoom lens is its flexibility. Instead of carrying multiple prime lenses, a photographer can use a zoom lens to capture a variety of perspectives without having to switch lenses. This makes it an ideal choice for many types of photography, including landscapes, portraits, and sports.
Zoom lenses also allow photographers to get closer to their subject without physically moving closer. This can be particularly useful for wildlife and sports photography, where getting physically closer may not be feasible or desirable.
However, there are some drawbacks to using a zoom lens. One is that they tend to be larger and heavier than prime lenses. This can make them more cumbersome to carry around, particularly if you’re shooting for an extended period of time. They also tend to be more expensive than prime lenses, especially if you want a lens with a large zoom and a wide aperture.
Another potential issue with zoom lenses is image quality. Because they have more moving parts than prime lenses, they can be more prone to distortion and optical aberrations, particularly at the extremes of the zoom range. However, many modern zoom lenses have sophisticated optical designs that can minimize these issues.
When it comes to choosing a zoom lens, there are a few factors to consider. The first is the focal length range. A lens with a wide range, such as an 18-300mm lens, can be very convenient, but may sacrifice image quality. Whilst you get an exceptional zoom range, the lens may have a huge variation in aperture as you zoom in. at 18mm the aperture may be f/3.5 but at 300mm the maximum aperture may be f/5.6.
Why is this a problem?
With a 300mm lens in your hands any small movement from you will create motion blur. With a maximum aperture of f/5.6, you’ll need to have the shutter speed set to at least 1/500 to account for and counteract the potential blur from your movement which then means your ISO is the only thing you have left to change. So whilst you gain on zoom, you lose on image quality.
A lens with a narrower range, such as a 24-70mm lens, may offer better image quality but may require you to switch lenses more often.
The maximum aperture is also an important consideration. A lens with a wide aperture, such as f/2.8, can provide a shallow depth of field and work well in low light conditions. However, lenses with wider apertures tend to be more expensive and heavier than those with smaller apertures.
Overall, a zoom lens is a versatile tool that can be useful in a wide range of photography situations. With careful consideration of the focal length range, maximum aperture, and other factors, photographers can find a zoom lens that suits their needs and style of photography.
What is a Prime Lens?
A prime lens, also known as a fixed lens, is a type of camera lens that has a fixed focal length, meaning that it cannot zoom in or out.
Unlike zoom lenses, which have a range of focal lengths, prime lenses have only one focal length. For example, a 50mm prime lens will always have a focal length of 50mm, while a zoom lens can have a focal range of 24-70mm, for instance.
The advantage of using a prime lens is that they tend to produce sharper, higher-quality images than zoom lenses, as they have fewer moving parts and no compromises to be made to accommodate the range of focal lengths. This makes them ideal for situations where you need the highest possible image quality, such as portrait photography, product photography, or any other situation where you want to capture a specific, fixed view of the subject.
Prime lenses also tend to have larger maximum apertures than zoom lenses, which means they can let in more light and provide shallower depth of field. This makes them great for low light situations, as well as for creating a beautiful bokeh effect in portraits.
Another advantage of prime lenses is their compact size and weight. Since they have a fixed focal length, they require fewer lens elements and are generally smaller and lighter than zoom lenses. This makes them more portable and easier to carry around, especially for outdoor photography where you need to hike to your location.
There are a variety of prime lenses available, ranging from ultra-wide angle lenses to telephoto lenses, each with its own unique characteristics and uses. Here are a few examples:
- 50mm: This is a popular choice for portrait photography, as it provides a natural perspective and produces sharp, high-quality images.
- 35mm: This is a versatile focal length that can be used for a wide range of photography styles, from street photography to landscape photography.
- 85mm: This is a popular choice for portrait photographers who want a slightly tighter crop and a shallower depth of field.
- 24mm: This is an ultra-wide angle lens that is great for landscape photography and architectural photography.
Overall, prime lenses are a great investment for any photographer who values image quality, portability, and versatility. While they may not have the convenience of a zoom lens, their superior optical quality and compact size make them an essential tool in any photographer’s kit.
I found that for wedding photography I like to have a mix.
My go to lens is a 24-35mm f/2 lens. It’s a weird one I’ll admit as it’s not much zoom. But it suits me perfectly. Wide enough to be in the moment, and then 35mm for that classic documentary look.
On my other camera I have a fixed 50mm f/1.4 lens. This lens is super sharp and because I like to get close to my subjects, 50mm is plenty ‘zoomed in’ enough to capture intimate moments.
In my bag I also have an 85mm lens and an ultra wide 17-40mm lens, but these only come out in very specific circumstances, for example the 85mm i might use when im not allowed to stand close to the couple during the wedding ceremony and the 17mm lens I’lla use of the client has requested a group photograph of everyone present at the wedding.
Hopefully this guide on the types of lenses and when to use them has been helpful, as always my DMs are open, feel free to send me a message or leave a comment if you have questions!