If you are asking “How to choose the right lens for your digital camera” then read this. Determining which lens will best meet your specific requirements can be challenging. You must be familiar with the different abbreviations and specifications; other manufacturers use entirely different abbreviations for the same properties.
Here are a few reviews that explain how to choose a lens, the key characteristics you can look for on a lens, and how different manufacturers label lenses.
One of the most important considerations is selecting a digital camera lens, but not everyone knows, understands, or knows which one is best for their needs.
What is a digital camera?
A digital camera (also known as a digital camera) is an electronic camera that uses batteries and electrical components to create images automatically in image acquisition and processing because So DSLR and mirrorless cameras are strictly digital cameras.
Instead of using film, digital cameras will use an image sensor; the sensor’s job is to capture light and convert the collected image signal into an image sensor, among other factors.
Instead of using film, digital cameras will use an image sensor; the sensor’s job is to capture light and convert the collected image signal into an image sensor, among other factors.
The advantage of digital cameras is self-convenience when taking pictures, manageable control, and manipulation.
In addition, today’s digital cameras are also integrated with many more functions such as Filming, recording, remote control, and connecting to phones; in addition, many cameras can customize many modes: different shooting levels and effects for exciting photos.
How to choose a digital camera lens
- Determine the digital camera focal length
- Determine the viewing angle and the ability to zoom
- Aperture
- Corner length
- Arranged or zoom
- Area of crop
- Stability of images
- Correction of color reflection
- Distortion
- Change in perspective or focus
- Image sensors without full size
- Support of full size digital image sensors
- Macro
1. Determine the digital camera focal length
How far or close the lens
appears on its focal length:
- The digital camera can see farther with a longer focal length. But the opening angle will be narrower.
- The digital camera can see closer objects the shorter the focal length. But the opening pitch will be more comprehensive.
2. Determine the viewing angle and the ability to zoom
Need to calculate the viewing angle? What is the zoom of the lens? The field of view expands with increasing viewing angle.
However, the angle of view and the focal length are inversely related: the larger the focal length, the smaller the opening angle.
If both distance and opening angle must be selected simultaneously, the space must be prioritized first and then the opening tip.
The opening angle can be expanded by using a camera with PAN / TILT function, increasing the number of cameras to share the viewing angle, or using a dedicated rotating stand for a digital camera lens.
Rotating tripods for cameras include many different types, such as Rotating tripods for outdoor use, rotating tripods for indoor use, cheap rotating tripods, etc.
Or we can also choose the opening angle; first, the distance can be solved by increasing the camera to divide the length to be observed.
3. Aperture
On all lenses, the maximum aperture is stated. It reveals the total amount of light the lens can transmit to the sensor.
Light enables you to continue shooting in low-light situations without worrying about camera shake causing image blur.
An aperture number, such as f/2.8, indicates the aperture (or sometimes 1:2.8). More light enters the camera at smaller aperture numbers.
The ideal gap, according to theory, is one with an objective of one, but in reality, the brightest lenses have a maximum aperture of about f/1.2. A crack between f/2.4 and f/3.2 will satisfy the majority of customers.
Generally speaking, the cheaper the lens is, the higher the aperture number. Aperture numbers on telephoto lenses are frequently higher.
Zoom lenses typically have two aperture numbers (for instance, f/2.8-f/5.6). The more significant aperture number shows how much light you get at the maximum zoom, while the smaller aperture number indicates how much light you get at the widest angle.
4. Corner length
The focal length should be your priority when selecting a new lens. The focal length, specified in millimeters, indicates whether the lens is telephoto or wide-angle.
They both have benefits and drawbacks. You will inevitably get closer to distant subjects when using a telephoto lens.
Additionally, telephoto lenses are preferred over wide-angle ones for portrait photography because they better preserve facial proportions.
Since telephoto lenses have a smaller depth of field than wide-angle lenses, it is much simpler to achieve a blurred background when using a telephoto lens.
Telephoto lenses are generally less bright and more susceptible to blur during a shoot if there is any camera shake. Physically, telephoto lenses are typically larger than wide-angle lenses.
On the other hand, wide-angle lenses work well for nature photography when you want to include more of the surrounding area.
Physically smaller and lighter than telephoto lenses, they are typically suitable for both brightness and depth of field. On the downside, the wide angle is not the best for taking pictures of people, at least not in a strict portrait setting.
A wide angle quickly gives the impression that the model has a more prominent nose and sunken eyes because it creates the illusion of greater distance between close and distant objects.
A wide angle lens also increases the likelihood of “distortion,” which is the bending of straight lines into the edges of the image.
A standard lens is a lens that falls somewhere between a wide-angle and a telephoto. This lens reproduces the surroundings as we see them with our eyes (about distance and magnification).
A typical lens in the 135 formats is 50mm. Wide angle refers to anything with a shorter focal length, and telephoto relates to anything with a longer focal length.
The focal length on standard compact cameras with 3x zoom typically ranges from 35 mm to 105 mm (according to the 135 formats).
It’s critical to remember that a lens’s focal length can vary depending on the camera type used because the focal length and image sensor size are related.
It is customary to clarify the focal length equivalent to the so-called full-frame DSLR camera to reduce confusion.
5. Arranged or zoom
The majority of the time, a zoom lens would be the best option. You can avoid using fewer lenses to meet your needs because a single lens offers multiple focal lengths.
Zoom lenses list two focal sizes, like 18-55 mm, to indicate their zoom range. Divide the most significant number by the smallest number to get the zoom in the case of the 18-55 mm lens, which is approximately three times.
On the other hand, a fixed lens has some benefits. Fixed lenses are typically more compact, lighter, and brighter than zoom lenses.
You’re more likely to obtain better image quality with a fixed lens because it’s simpler to correct for different lens flaws on a fixed lens than on a zoom (although this will vary somewhat based on price and producer).
Some believe that using a fixed lens is more artistically correct and that using zoom is, in a sense, cheating. However, each photographer must determine what is most effective for them.
6. Area of crop
In their SLR cameras, various camera manufacturers employ image sensors of different sizes. This may make it difficult to determine a telephoto or wide-angle lens’s actual capabilities.
Converting the focal length to the total frame equivalent is the most popular trick. The crop factor is required to perform the conversion.
The crop factor, for instance, is 1.6 on Canon SLR cameras without a full-frame sensor. To calculate the focal length’s equivalent on the 135 (full-frame) format, you must multiply it by 1.6. The 18-55 mm range will roughly equal 29-88 mm.
7. Stability of images
Although optical image stabilization is becoming increasingly common in DSLR cameras, major manufacturers still stand by lens stabilization.
In doing so, the camera shake is removed by moving the lens’s components. You won’t find stabilized lenses from manufacturers like Olympus, Pentax, or Sony because they all use image stabilization in their camera bodies.
8. Correction of color reflection
Since light is the only factor that matters in photography, it presents a challenge to lens manufacturers.
One of these is that when light passes through a lens, it bends differently depending on the color. This may result in color changes, especially near an image’s edges.
9. Distortion
Straight lines toward the image edges are bent either inward or outward due to distortion, a different lens error.
Although most lens manufacturers consider this when creating their products and make every effort to correct it, you might still come across specifications claiming that a lens has been fixed for this distortion.
10. Change in perspective or focus
Some lenses can adjust perspective. For instance, if you slightly tilt the camera upward when photographing a tall building, the top of the building will appear thinner than the bottom.
This can be fixed with a lens perspective shift. Additionally, these lenses allow you to alter the focus plane to the depth of field. You probably won’t need this lens if you’re a typical consumer.
11. Image sensors without full size
Because the digital image sensor had a much smaller area than a traditional negative, something had to be done with the lenses after SLR cameras transitioned to digital.
Lenses can be made smaller and lighter because the image surface is smaller. However, these lenses cannot be used with DSLRs with a full-frame image sensor or conventional film cameras.
12. Support of full size digital image sensors
Of course, the manufacturers also produce lenses for full-frame image sensors. These can be utilized with standard film SLRs as well.
13. Macro
Many people will be familiar with the macro function of compact cameras. Simply getting close to your subject and capturing the details in photographs is all it takes (insects, flowers, etc.).
How to use and maintain a durable and blur-free camera lens – Simple causes and ways to fix digital camera lenses
The camera lens, also known as the lens, is the eye of the camera; the amount of light and the quality of the light rays passing through the lens determine the image quality.
So the lens is a significant factor in image processing, but we often encounter a blurred lens situation in using it.
What causes the digital camera lens to become blurry?
There are many causes of camera lens blur, some of which are not controlling the temperature between the camera and the environment that causes condensation, using improper focusing techniques, lens apertures, etc. Too big or too small, using too high ISO speed, not cleaning the camera regularly, etc.
Guide to repairing blurred camera lenses
There are several ways to fix blurry camera lenses as follows:
Lens condensate:
- wipe the condensate off the lens with a soft cloth and wait until the camera temperature is equal to the ambient temperature.
- Autofocus properly: when we choose Auto Focus mode (autofocus), in some cases, they focus on the point we don’t want. Then you need to switch to autofocus at a point or remove AF and switch to MF.
Use MF mode properly:
- when using AF mode, sometimes the subject cannot be focused, then switching to MF mode will help you focus more easily without moving.
- Use AF the right way: when you’re shooting a moving subject, choose AF with single-point autofocus and the right autofocus point where you want it to be.
Use the proper ISO:
- in some low-light situations, you will have to choose a high ISO speed to avoid camera shake when holding the camera by hand. However, in this mode, the image is straightforward to lose detail. You can capture RAW files and post-process them using specialized software.
Use a good aperture:
- the narrower the aperture, the deeper the depth of field, and conversely, the more comprehensive the gap, the shallower the depth of field. In some cameras, increasing the maximum aperture will reduce sharpness; sometimes, the wrong focus makes your image blurry. Therefore, you should consider that the gap should not be too wide to make the vision no longer sharp.
- In addition, you should work actively regularly clean and maintain the camera lens to increase the durability and life of the camera.
Safe and durable camera lens use
The following advice can help your camera lens last longer and be more durable:
Limit exposure to hot and humid air
Avoid flicking from a cold, dry place to a hot and humid place, and limit the lens surface to direct contact with hot and humid air.
Anti-mold
Due to the humid climate of Vietnam, it is easy to cause mold and bamboo roots on the lens and blur the image, reducing the image quality and damaging the device.
To limit this situation, you should store the camera and lens in a moisture-proof box, regularly clean, and check the device’s condition.
Clean the device
Dirty cameras and unclean lenses affect the quality of photos. Therefore, you should create a habit of cleaning and sanitizing the device immediately after use.
Use filters and hoods for lenses
Using an internal filter to protect the lens will help prevent your front lens from being scratched or broken in the event of a lens or camera drop.
If possible, you should also use a lens hood; they will help you reduce ghosting (ghosting) or flare (flash) and avoid substantial impacts when accidentally hitting a table, wall, etc.
If you encounter other problems, you should not repair the camera lens yourself at home. Still, you should take it to a reputable camera repair shop for a professional review and offer a solution. Besides, you should be equipped with more knowledge and the following things to note before taking the machine to the repair shop.
Protect the camera lens from fogging
There are many ways to store camera lenses at home that you can refer to as follows:
Use a dedicated moisture-proof box / moisture-proof cabinet.
This is a reasonably common preservation method today. You can customize the exact humidity, and your camera will be perfectly preserved.
However, the price of moisture-proof cabinets is also relatively high, so you need to consider it before buying. Or you can also use a moisture-proof box by buying a plastic food container and then purchasing a desiccant to preserve the camera.
Sun exposure of the camera lens
This is another efficient method of using sunlight to eradicate mold. If you do not use the camera often, every 1-2 weeks, expose the camera lens for about 15 minutes in the sun.
Note that only expose the camera lens, do not expose the camera body; it will cause severe damage.
In addition, it should be noted: do not place the camera near sharp objects that cause scratches, do not use the camera on humid and humid days, and remember to clean it regularly when not in use to avoid common errors at the camera.
Other important Parameters to consider when choosing to buy a digital camera lens
- Sensor size
- Lens Focal Length
- Lens type
- Iris
- Digital camera focal length lens aperture
1. Sensor size
Image sensors come in different sizes, for example, 2/3″, ½,” 1/3″, 1/4″ and found glass manufactured to fit these sizes. A lens made for a ½” sensor will work with ½,” 1/3″ or ¼” sensors but not a 2/3″ sensor.
If a lens is manufactured for a sensor more minor than the sensor in a digital camera, the resulting image will be “black-cornered.” If a lens is made for a large sensor, when fitted to a digital camera with a smaller sensor, the resulting angle of view will be smaller than that lens’s inherent angle.
2. Lens Focal Length
The distance between the lens & the image sensor, also referred to as the focal length of a digital camera lens and also referred to as F in English, is the term “focal length” (in mm).
Most manufacturers provide a spreadsheet that shows the relationship between focal length and scene size for customers to look up.
To recognize someone’s presence on the screen, at least 10% of that person’s height must be displayed.
But to correctly identify that person, the number must be at least 30% or more.
For this reason, it is essential to check the capabilities of your chosen and selected digital camera carefully before purchasing.
3. Lens type
Fixed lens: Has a fixed focal length, e.g., 4 mm
Varifocal lens: This lens allows manual adjustment of the lens’s focal length (synonymous with the angle of view).
When the focal length is changed, we need to refocus the lens.
Most of these digital camera lenses have a focal length range of 3.5~8mm
Zoom lens: There is an interval for changing the focal length.
For example
, from 6~48mm without concern about getting net.
The lens can be adjusted manually or by a motor so that it can be controlled remotely.
4. Iris
Digital cameras generally adjust the amount of light entering the image sensor via the Iris or by changing the sensor’s exposure time.
In traditional cameras, the exposure time is fixed. The iris’ function controls how much light enters the eye through the lens.
There are two different types of Iris in lenses:
- Manual Iris: Manual lens iris is usually used when the digital camera is installed in stable lighting conditions.
- These lenses cannot respond to changes in light intensity, so the Iris is assigned a “range of values,” each used in a specific lighting condition.
- Auto IRIS: In outdoor conditions and where the light is constantly changing, a lens with auto-adjustable Iris is preferred.
The aperture of the Iris is controlled by the digital camera and is a constant change to optimize the amount of light entering the image sensor.
- DC-controlled Iris: Connected to the digital camera’s output, the Iris is controlled by the digital camera’s microprocessor.
- Video-controlled Iris: The Iris is controlled by the video signal
5. Digital camera focal length lens aperture
The relationship between the focal length and lens diameter
is known as the f-number of a lens.
It affects the amount of light accepted into the sensor and plays a vital role in the resulting image.
The unit for measuring aperture is the f-stop.
F-number = Lens focal length/Iris Diameter
The larger the f-number, the smaller the amount of light entering the sensor, and vice versa, the more significant the amount of light entering the sensor and thus the better image quality in low light conditions.
Installing a neutral color filter in front of the lens is advisable in low light conditions.
This reduces the light entering the lens evenly across the visible spectrum and forces the Iris to open almost wholly to compensate.
Many digital cameras today include automatic iris controls to ensure that images are clear year-round, even when light intensity fluctuates throughout the day.
Some digital camera lenses I can recommend for you.
Image | Name | Price Link |
 | OLYMPUS M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 Pro Lens | On Amazon, you can see the price right here. |
 | Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens for Pentax | On Amazon, you can see the price right here. |
 | Sony Alpha 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS Super-Telephoto APS-C Lens | On Amazon, you can see the price right here. |
Final thought
So I have shared with you what is a digital camera lens, what is a digital camera lens, and how to choose the best one that suits your needs and purposes.
Paying attention to the focal length of the digital camera lens is very important when installing a security camera system, so you should pay attention.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with me to ask for instructions on changing the digital camera lens, but you can do it with tools and technical knowledge. Contact the company for the best support when you want to change the digital camera lens.
Through the knowledge and experience I have shared with you, I hope you will choose the best digital camera lens suitable for your use.
Related Article:
How to Buy the Best DSLR Camera your first time (Explained)
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