Zoom lenses have variable focal lengths, so with a 70-200mm lens for example, you can zoom from 70mm all the way up to 200mm. Zoom lenses are incredibly versatile, with the most popular being the 70-200 mm lens that you’ll see being used by wedding photographers.

Zoom lenses are one of the most common types of lens that you’ll need in your photography armoury, offering you a great range for photographing anything from people in the streets to wildlife in the African Savanna. We’ll explain what the definition of these two camera lenses are below. Fortunately, camera lenses can be broken down into two types, zoom lenses and prime lenses.

It can be quite overwhelming in the early stages of getting into photography when you find out just how many types of camera lens there are. Sports from a distance, nature and astronomy While full-frame lenses can be used on a crop sensor, a lens designed for a crop sensor can’t be used on a full frame! Focal length size guide DSLR and Mirrorless cameras are either full-frame or crop sensors. One important point to note though is that some lenses are designed for different camera bodies, so always check before making a purchase. The same principles apply across different brands, be it Sony or Nikon, and across different types of camera body, be it DSLR or Mirrorless.

In this article, when we talk about lenses we will be referring to the detachable lenses that are used by photographers. In this article, we take a look at the different types of camera lenses and when they should be used. Different types of camera lenses and when to use them Here are 6 of the main types of camera lens and the best time to use themĮntering the world of photography can be a minefield when it comes to the different types of lenses on the market.Įven the experienced photographer will be hard-pressed to explain the exact differences and function of each particular lens, but knowing more about the functionality, focal lengths and uses of a lens can help you to employ it in the right situation.Īnd knowing when to use the correct lens, is just one step towards becoming a much better photographer.

Lenses for portraiture