What you need to know before buying your first camera lens

If you recently brought home a new camera then you might have already reached the limits of the bundled kit lens. The limited capabilities of the kit lens means you will need another lens or two to fully explore the true potential of your new camera. While it is difficult to choose the right camera, the task of choosing your first lens is even more difficult.

One thing is clear: the right camera lens will not only elevate your photography skills but also help bring out the best from your camera. While choosing your first lens, you may be wondering what are the key attributes to consider and how to arrive at the purchase decision. In this article, we will guide you in choosing the first lens for your camera.

1. Focal length

A focal length is the distance from the centre of the lens to the sensor when the subject is in focus. It is measured in millimetres, and the lower the focal length, the wider the shot. A higher number will lead to longer zoom. If you want to fit more into your frame then you should consider a wide-angle lens with focal lengths: 14mm, 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, or 35mm. If you are looking to get closer to your subject then you can choose a zoom lens with a focal length between 50mm and 100mm. 

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Your choice of focal length will also dictate the type of photography you can do with your camera. Landscape and architecture photography are best captured with wide-angle lenses, while wildlife and nature photography requires long focal lengths between 300mm and 600mm. For portrait photography, you can choose a focal length between 45mm and 85mm for true-to-life photos.

2. Aperture

Once you have finalised the right focal length for your lens, it is time to look at the aperture. An aperture is the measure of light entering your camera and is represented by the letter f and the corresponding f-stop number. A small aperture number like f/1.2 means the opening is wider and it will let in more light into the lens and is ideal for shooting in low-light. A zoom lens tends to have a higher aperture number than a wide-angle lens. With aperture numbers like f/1.4, f/1.8, or f/2.0, you can get a lot of versatility.

3. Prime lenses vs zoom lenses

This is a debate that is akin to the PC vs Mac and it is rather difficult to choose between the two. A prime lens is a great tool for capturing bright, crisp and detailed shots and is often used for portrait photography since they have a fixed focal length and wider aperture. A zoom lens is generally considered to be versatile since it allows variable focal length and allows the user to get closer to their subject. 

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The downside of a zoom lens is that the aperture will be narrower at maximum focal length and could lead to graining. For general-purpose use, a zoom lens is an ideal place to start but you may need to add a prime lens down the line for versatility and creativity.

4. Compatibility

Your first lens is only good if it is compatible with your camera’s image sensor. There are cases where certain lenses will only work with certain sensor formats. However, most camera manufacturers tend to use the same mount for their APS-C as well as full-frame cameras. The easiest way to understand this is that full-frame lenses will work on an APS-C sensor without any limitations. 

However, an APS-C lens will end up restricting a full-frame camera to a cropped APS-C mode. If your camera has an APS-C sensor then it would make sense to get a lens compatible with an APS-C sensor but you can always get a full-frame compatible lens with the goal of upgrading to a full-frame camera later.

In addition to these four factors, you can also consider attributes such as image stabilisation, autofocus, build quality, and weather sealing before buying your first lens. Regardless of the lens you choose, it never hurts to experiment with different angles and be ready to move yourself closer to the subject for best results.

5. Camera and price

Regardless of the lens you choose, a factor that will dictate your buying decision is price. Before choosing your first lens, you need to consider how much you are willing to spend.

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Lenses from name-brands such as Sony, Nikon, and Canon will be higher than the ones made by the likes of Sigma and Tamron. If you are looking to cut some cost then you can choose one without image stabilisation or autofocus motors built into the lens.

A manual lens requires more practice but it often tends to be much less expensive than ones with autofocus. A lens incorporating weather sealing against dust and water tends to be priced higher. Depending on the brand and type of lens, the price will vary, and it is best to look at all the factors and choose a lens offering those attributes at the right price.