| Selecting the right lens is critical when purchasing a | | | | experienced photographer the ability to take |
| digital camera. Basically, lenses can be categorized | | | | beautiful close-ups, wide-angle and telephoto |
| this way: fixed focal length, retractable zoom, | | | | photography. A fixed zoom lens allows a |
| fixed zoom and interchangeable lenses. | | | | magnification of up to 12x. Fixed zoom lenses |
| Fixed focal length lenses are the cheapest and | | | | offer advanced and precise zoom and manual |
| simplest to use. Designed for those on a very | | | | focus controls through rings on the lens instead of |
| tight budget, children or real novices, fixed focal | | | | buttons. This type of lens might be a bit |
| length lenses typically offer only a wide angle | | | | complicated for a novice and it might be a bit |
| view, which can be perfect for landscapes and | | | | bulky to be convenient. |
| group photos. The quality of the pictures taken | | | | A serious amateur or professional will use a digital |
| using this lense, however, is not that great. Fixed | | | | SLR with interchangeable lenses. These fully |
| focal length lenses can't zoom in distant objects | | | | detach from the camera and are replaced with a |
| and they don't accept converters. An autofocus | | | | different lens. If you already own lenses for a |
| lens, with a selectable macro or landscape focus | | | | traditional film camera, you can usually find a digital |
| mode, is often a better selection. | | | | camera with a compatible SLR body. A digital SLR |
| Retractable zoom lenses extend whenever the | | | | is the most flexible lens for all shooting situations. |
| camera is turned on and retract when it is shut | | | | An added advantage is that if you want to |
| off. This type of lens is reasonably priced and | | | | upgrade your lenses, you can do so without |
| takes decent pictures. A retractable zoom lens | | | | buying a new camera. |
| gives you a very compact digital camera style | | | | Of course, the lenses can be quite expensive. |
| while fully protecting the lens. It offers a limited | | | | They can also be quite heavy and inconvenient to |
| zoom range that magnifies two to three times. | | | | carry. If you are not very knowledgeable about |
| Retractable zoom lenses do not support filters or | | | | camera lenses, the options may be confusing and |
| converters and slightly delay the start-up time of | | | | if you understood your lenses on a traditional film |
| the digital camera. They also have limited manual | | | | camera, you may be confounded by the focal |
| focus controls. | | | | length on the digital. The learning curve is a bit |
| A fixed zoom lens will accept converters, filters | | | | steep and long, but the picture quality makes it |
| and flash rings. These extra features will allow an | | | | well worth it! |