In this article, we will show you which lens is suitable for what. If you want to start photography but don’t know which lens to choose, this article will provide you with the answer.
The categories of lenses and their use cases
Only when photographers know which lens is suitable for what can they use them correctly. Since there are many types of lenses, different lenses lead to different effects.
1. Standard lens
The standard lens is a general term for lenses with a viewing angle of about 50°. Its focal length ranges between 40 and 50 mm, and it is the most common lens among all lens types.
The standard lens provides a documentary aesthetic and a natural image effect.
Additionally, it is characterized by excellent image quality and is very effective in detail reproduction. On the other hand, the image effect of the standard lens closely resembles the human visual impression, which is why the shots often appear somewhat ordinary. Nevertheless, the standard lens plays an indispensable role in photography.
It is especially ideal for beginners who have only limited lenses available to achieve various effects.
2. Wide-angle lens
Wide-angle means a wide field of view. Wide-angle lenses are also called short focal length lenses. Lenses with a focal length under 40 mm are wide-angle lenses for full-frame DSLR cameras, for example, 35 mm, 28 mm, 24 mm, 17 mm, or 14 mm.
Wide-angle lenses are characterized by their large field of view and are also referred to as short focal length lenses. For full-frame DSLR cameras, lenses with a focal length under 40 mm are considered wide-angle lenses, including 35 mm, 28 mm, 24 mm, 17 mm, or even 14 mm.
A key advantage of wide-angle lenses is their ability to capture expansive scenes with impressive depth and clarity. They are therefore ideal for landscape, architecture, and interior photography. However, due to optical design, distortion can occur if used improperly, especially at the edges of the image.
SIRUI wide-angle lenses – distortion-free and bright
The SIRUI 16mm F1.2 wide-angle lens sets new standards here. Thanks to its highly precise optical design with two aspherical lenses, edge distortions are minimized, ensuring exceptional image quality. The large aperture of F1.2 also enables excellent low-light performance and beautiful bokeh, which is especially advantageous for night shots and portraits with depth effect.
Besides the high optical quality, the SIRUI 16mm F1.2 impresses with its robust, lightweight aluminum alloy body designed for professional use. The precise manual focusing allows exact control over the depth of field – ideal for creative compositions.
3. Telephoto lens
A telephoto lens has a longer focal length than a standard lens. Telephoto lenses come in two variants: normal and super-telephoto lenses. Normal telephoto lenses have a focal length close to that of a standard lens, while super-telephoto lenses have a significantly longer focal length.
For a 135mm SLR camera, lenses with a focal length of 85 to 300 mm are normal telephoto lenses, while lenses over 300 mm are super-telephoto lenses.
Telephoto lenses have a narrow field of view. Therefore, the image area is limited, and at the same distance, subjects appear larger than with a standard lens. They are ideal for details in the distance or hard-to-reach subjects.
Telephoto lenses have a shallow depth of field, which makes the main subject stand out from the background. However, telephoto lenses have a weak perspective. They compress depth and enlarge the background, causing the background to blur and the main subject to stand out.
Telephoto lenses are suitable for: distant landscapes and portraits, stage and sports photography from the stands, wildlife photography in zoos or the wild, as well as close-ups with aids.
When using telephoto lenses, photographers should use the shortest possible shutter speeds.
4. Macro lens
A macro lens is specially designed for macro photography of small subjects like flowers or insects. It can also be used as a normal lens for any subject.
For detailed reproduction of small objects, a macro lens is indispensable. Most macro lenses are prime lenses with a short minimum focusing distance and a 1:1 reproduction ratio.
In macro photography, manual focusing is often necessary because autofocus is not precise enough. Macro lenses often have a larger aperture to optimize depth of field.
Conclusion:
Only those who know which lens is suitable for what can use it correctly. Whether standard, wide-angle, telephoto, or macro – each lens has its strengths and areas of application. With this knowledge, better shots are achieved. If you are unsure which lens to choose, start with a standard lens. It is versatile and ideal for beginners to achieve various effects.
