| If you are still using a point and shoot film or | | | | slower at the long end. This is very important, |
| digital camera, your choice of lens speed is limited | | | | because if are going to be shooting at the longer |
| to the camera. However for those of you who | | | | end of the lens, when shopping for a lens, keep |
| decided that it is time to move on and upgrade to | | | | this in mind, and you will save yourself some |
| an interchangeable lens camera, whether it | | | | money. Let me explain. Take two lenses, one is a |
| happens to be film, or digital, you are no doubt | | | | 28-80mm f2.8(short end) / f5.6(long end), and |
| have been looking at the many lens options | | | | another lens, 28-80mm f3.5 / f 5.6. These two |
| available. Large majority of people switch from a | | | | have an identical range, however the first is |
| point and shoot to a Single Lens Reflex camera. | | | | faster at the short end. This larger aperture does |
| While overwhelming percentage of people move | | | | not come free. You may end up paying 2 times |
| to a Digital SLR, Film SLRs are still popular, and | | | | as much as the second lens. If you are going to |
| function essentially the same. So, for the purpose | | | | be mostly zooming to the long end of the range, |
| of this article, the two types will be treated as | | | | compare and price your lens at that end. |
| one. Lenses are available in so many different | | | | If you are going to be shooting mostly portraits |
| combinations, and varieties, that discussing them | | | | and other static scenery and plan to use flash, or |
| all is far beyond the scope of this article. | | | | a tripod most of the time, you will not need a |
| However, they all have one thing in common. | | | | very fast lens, because the added speed will likely |
| They are all broken down into two groups: slow, | | | | be of little benefit to you. As such, you will do |
| and fast. If you are still struggling with choosing | | | | just fine with a F4.0 or slower. Action shooters |
| your first lens, or just trying to make the right | | | | often benefit from faster lenses, and if you are |
| decision, while faced with many choices, this article | | | | planning to capture sports, animals, and other |
| should help. | | | | moving subjects, a faster lens may help at times. |
| First of all, the speed of the lens is determined by | | | | The single biggest benefit of a faster lens is the |
| the size of the opening, known as the aperture. | | | | freedom it gives you, when the light is limited. If |
| The larger the opening the faster the lens is | | | | you are an action shooter, and capture a lot of |
| considered to be. Typically, lenses marked with | | | | action in dim light, the extra speed will be very |
| F4, F3.5, F2.8, and smaller are considered fast, | | | | helpful, and allow you more hand-held shooting. |
| while lenses marked with a bigger number are | | | | Always evaluate how much you are going to be |
| slower. I know this may sound odd, but the | | | | shooting in different environments. Action and low |
| smaller the number the faster the lens. If you are | | | | light shooters will most benefit from lenses with |
| new to shooting with an SLR camera, you are | | | | apertures of F4.0, and larger. If you think low |
| most likely looking at “zoom” lenses. Most | | | | light, and action will be very infrequent, and you |
| zooms today have a variable aperture. This simply | | | | are comparing two similar lenses, choose the |
| means that at the shortest end, the lens is faster | | | | budget one, which will likely be just a bit slower. |
| than at the long end. For example, a typical lens a | | | | Often, a price of a zoom lens with just a slightly |
| 28-80mm. This lens zooms from 28mm to | | | | smaller aperture at the long end will be hundreds |
| 80mm, and it is a very good starter lens. This | | | | or dollars less than a similarly sized zoom with a |
| type of a lens will typically have a F3.5 aperture | | | | slightly larger aperture. |
| at 28mm (short end), while at 80mm (long end) it | | | | Most modern Digital SLRs can really offset the |
| will be F4.5, or F5.6, which is considerably slower | | | | need for a fast lens through higher ISO settings, |
| than the short end. Typically, the faster the lens, | | | | something that Film cameras do by using a faster |
| the more it will cost, and the heavier it will be. | | | | film. With Film cameras, you would need to switch |
| Most casual shooters look for very versatile | | | | a roll of film to change the ISO speed. If you use |
| lenses, and faster lenses certainly offer more | | | | a Digital SLR, switching an ISO is easy, and could |
| flexibility in certain situations. | | | | be done at any time. This is a huge benefit, and |
| Now that we briefly discussed the concept of | | | | reduces a need for the faster lenses. Unless you |
| speed, lets figure out whether you really need a | | | | are planning to make money with your camera |
| fast lens. The first thing that you have to think | | | | gear, fastest lenses will not be cost effective. |
| about is your shooting habits. Everyone is | | | | Consider borrowing, or renting a fast lens, in the |
| different, and very much unique. Some shoot | | | | range which will meet your shooting needs, and |
| landscapes, some only people, others night | | | | test it in the different environments in which you |
| scenes, some shoot under water, and so forth. | | | | will be shooting. If you are not pushing the limits |
| Typical casual shooter will likely shoot during | | | | of the lens, chances are, you will be OK with a |
| daytime, and will likely be shooting portraits, | | | | slower, more budget friendly alternative. Make |
| landscapes, city scenes (during a vacation | | | | sure that you know your budget, and how |
| perhaps), and other fairly undemanding | | | | actively you will be involved in photography. If you |
| environments. If you shoot a lot of photos in dim | | | | plan to trade-up your equipment in a few years, |
| light, like night clubs, restaurants, museums, | | | | keep in mind that technology only gets better, |
| outdoors after dark, and other dim light situations, | | | | and making a big investment will make more |
| a faster lens is definitely a boon. However, you | | | | sense if you are going to get a lot of use out of |
| should always keep in mind that most zoom | | | | it. |
| lenses, while faster at the short end, will be | | | | |