| It may be time to consider a single new lens that | | | | eliminate distortion, lens flare, and other things |
| will handle more of your photography needs. | | | | that cause deterioration of digital images. |
| Granted, there are many wonderful lenses | | | | 3. Build quality - some lenses are just built better |
| available for each different DSLR, and when you | | | | than others... better materials and better glass. |
| have time to think about and set up your shot, | | | | Cheaper lenses may use plastic parts that break |
| you should reach into your camera bag and get | | | | more easily. |
| that special lens that will handle the shot to | | | | 4. Focal Length - for an all purpose lens, you will |
| perfection. | | | | want a greater focal range. 18mm at the short |
| Prime lenses are considered by many | | | | end is optimal to get the landscapes and wide |
| photographers to be the best quality you can buy. | | | | angle interior shots. And now that there are |
| And if your budget allows, you can fill up your bag | | | | better manufacturing methods, you can get good |
| with the best glass that money can buy. But even | | | | lenses with 12x or greater zoom, so that the long |
| then, you will want to have a great all purpose | | | | end would be 200-270mm with still good image |
| lens so you can take quick action when | | | | quality. |
| necessary. | | | | 5. Image Stabilization - lenses with built in image |
| Here are a few things to consider: | | | | stabilization (or optical stabilization) make it possible |
| | | | to hand hold your camera in low light and still |
| 1. Image Quality - this is always the first | | | | great sharp shots. Without image stabilization, you |
| consideration when choosing a lens. If all the other | | | | will be much more dependent upon your tripod. |
| factors are tops, but the final photo is not clear | | | | 6. Cost - there is an extremely wide range of |
| and sharp, you may as well leave your wallet in | | | | costs when selecting a walk around lens. The kit |
| your pocket. Image quality is king when it comes | | | | lenses will be your least expensive, however, kit |
| to choosing a camera, lens, or any peripheral | | | | lenses do not meet all the other criteria |
| camera equipment. | | | | mentioned above. You should plan on spending |
| 2. Glass - the quality and treatment of the glass | | | | $500 or more for a good quality all purpose walk |
| used to manufacture the lens is of great | | | | around lens. You should also look into |
| importance. Manufacturing technology has | | | | manufacturers other than your camera maker. |
| advanced greatly over the past few years. Now | | | | Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina make some excellent |
| there are special techniques and coatings that will | | | | lenses that fit on Canon, Nikon, Pentax, and Sony. |