The Ultimate Trio Of Camera Lenses For Photographers

There are three lenses that every photographer should have in their kit, especially when starting out. These lenses will give you the versatility to shoot in almost any situation. The first is a general-purpose zoom lens, which typically goes from 18mm to 70mm. This allows for expansive field views for environmental shots and a field of view close to that of the human eye. The second is a macro lens, which lets you get up close and personal with your subject and capture stunning details of insects, flowers, clothing, and more. The third is a telephoto zoom lens, which is ideal for capturing sports, wildlife, and portraits. With these three lenses, you'll be able to shoot in a wide range of situations and explore different creative opportunities.

The benefits of a standard zoom lens

A standard zoom lens is an incredibly versatile piece of kit for any photographer. Covering a medium range of focal lengths, they are often the go-to lens for many photographers, offering a wide range of creative options.

A standard zoom lens typically covers focal lengths from around 18mm to 70mm. At the wide end, you can capture expansive environmental shots, while the long end offers a field of view close to that of the human eye. This makes it ideal for a wide range of photography, from landscapes to portraits and street photography. With a standard zoom, you can shoot a wide-angle scene and then quickly zoom in for a close-up or a tighter portrait without needing to change lenses. This is especially useful for fast-moving action, such as wedding or event photography, where you don't want to miss a moment by having to switch lenses.

The versatility of a standard zoom lens is further enhanced by its ability to offer a wide maximum aperture, allowing for low-light shooting and precise depth of field control. An aperture of f/2.8 is ideal, but f/4 will also work well. This means you can achieve a shallow depth of field and a beautifully blurred background, as well as being able to shoot in low-light conditions without having to use a slower shutter speed.

Standard zoom lenses are available for a wide range of camera systems and lens mounts, from DSLR to mirrorless, and from Nikon to Sony. They come in various price ranges, with some more affordable options offering a variable aperture of f/3.5-5.6. While these may not be as sharp as prime lenses, they offer convenience and flexibility, allowing you to travel light and shoot quickly.

With a standard zoom lens, you can experiment with different options for the same scene without physically needing to move away from or closer to your subject. This makes it a creative and convenient tool for any photographer, providing the ability to capture a wide range of shots with a single lens.

The wide-angle lens for landscapes

The wide-angle lens is a must-have for landscape photography. With their ability to capture the bigger picture, wide-angle lenses are perfect for capturing sweeping landscapes, emphasising lines, and adding depth and dimension to an image. They are particularly useful for landscape photographers who want to capture a wide view and stretch the perspective of foreground interest that's close to the camera.

When it comes to focal length, for landscape photography, wide angles usually refer to anything up to about 35mm on a full-frame camera and 25mm on an APS-C or crop-sensor camera. If you go below 14mm, you'll start to get a fisheye effect, with serious distortion at the edges. So, the best range of true wide-angle photography for landscapes is usually around 14mm to 24mm.

There are a few things to keep in mind when using a wide-angle lens for landscapes. Firstly, it's important to emphasise a foreground element. Get close to an element in the foreground, which will then loom large in the frame. You can also work with leading lines, such as rivers, pathways, or rows of trees, to create a sense of movement and guide the viewer's eye through the image.

Another benefit of wide-angle lenses is their depth of field. You can generally get everything in the scene, from a few feet away to infinity, in focus without much issue. However, it's important to use a relatively narrow aperture, such as f/8, to ensure that the entire scene is in focus.

When composing your shot, be mindful of distractions and try to keep the composition simple and elegant. Make sure that every element in the frame has a purpose and contributes to the overall image. Additionally, keep your camera level to prevent distortion, especially if you have key elements along the edges of the frame.

• Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
• Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 IS II USM
• Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra-Wide Angle Fixed Lens
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
• Samyang 20mm f/1.8 ED AS UMC
• Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD
• Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC
• Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC

The telephoto zoom for sports and wildlife

Capturing sports and wildlife photography requires a telephoto zoom lens that will allow you to magnify distant subjects and separate them from the background. When choosing a telephoto lens, it is important to consider image stabilization, lens dimensions and weight, optical design, and weather sealing.

Sports photography calls for telephoto lenses with wider maximum apertures, which can utilize faster shutter speeds and, therefore, freeze moving action. These lenses tend to be large and heavy, which is fine if you are relatively stationary and working with support. However, if you plan to carry your gear into the woods or hold the lens for long durations, it is worth considering lenses with slower maximum apertures and zoom lenses, which are often smaller. Additionally, image stabilization is less critical for sports photography as it does not affect moving subjects. Many sports photographers use monopods to stabilize their cameras and shoot at fast shutter speeds, negating the need for image stabilization.

On the other hand, image stabilization can be more effective for wildlife photography, so finding a lens with a quality stabilization system is advantageous. Wildlife photographers often capture relatively still subjects at a distance, and image stabilization can compensate for vibration and camera shake. While size and weight are important considerations for all types of photography, they may be more crucial for wildlife photographers as their subjects are usually less predictable.

When choosing a telephoto zoom lens for sports and wildlife photography, consider the following:

• Focal Length and Zoom Range: Look for a lens with a focal length of at least 300mm and a good zoom range. Newer telephoto lenses offer impressive zoom capabilities, with some lenses providing a range of 500mm to 600mm.
• Aperture: The maximum aperture of your lens will affect the amount of light entering your camera and the level of background blur in your photos. While newer cameras can compensate for lenses with smaller maximum apertures by increasing the ISO, a wider aperture is still beneficial in low-light situations and for creating a shallow depth of field.
• Weight and Portability: Consider the weight and size of the lens, especially if you plan to hand-hold it for extended periods. Lighter lenses are generally more convenient to carry and can be used without a tripod.
• Price: Telephoto lenses with good aperture, zoom, and telephoto capabilities tend to be more expensive. If you are on a budget, you may need to prioritize the features that are most important to you.
• Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS: This lens offers a versatile focal length range and a wide maximum aperture of f/2.8, allowing for excellent low-light performance and a shallow depth of field.
• Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S: Another great option with a wide aperture of f/2.8, providing exceptional image quality and low-light performance.
• Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS: This Sony lens also features an f/2.8 maximum aperture, making it ideal for sports and wildlife photography.
• Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM: This lens offers an impressive zoom range of 150-600mm, providing excellent versatility for sports and wildlife photography.
• Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary: This lens delivers stunning sharpness and contrast, along with 5-axis optical image stabilization.

When choosing a telephoto zoom lens for sports and wildlife photography, consider your specific needs and budget. The recommendations above offer a range of options to suit different camera systems and price points.

The prime lens for sharpness

A prime lens is a lens with a fixed focal length, meaning it cannot zoom in or out. While this may seem limiting, it offers unmatched sharpness. Prime lenses have fewer glass elements and less complexity, resulting in sharper images with better quality and reduced optical aberrations, distortions, and loss of contrast. They also have wider apertures, such as f/1.4 or f/1.8, which provide greater depth of field and improved performance in low-light situations.

The Tamron 20mm F2.8 prime lens, for example, offers faster shutter speeds due to its wide aperture, and its compact size makes it convenient to carry around. The Tamron 24mm F2.8 prime lens is also well-known for its beautiful bokeh effects, making it an excellent choice for portrait photography.

Prime lenses are smaller and lighter than standard zoom lenses, and their large apertures let in more light, helping photographers capture sharp images even in low-light conditions. This also makes the viewfinder much brighter, making it easier for photographers to confirm the focus and sharpness of their images.

While a prime lens may not be as versatile as a zoom lens, it excels in delivering sharpness and image quality. It is a valuable tool for photographers seeking to capture the finest details in their subjects, making it ideal for landscapes, portraits, and any scenario where sharpness is a priority.

The macro lens for close-up detail

The macro lens is a magical tool that allows photographers to capture stunning details and magnified views of the world around them. With a typical magnification ratio of 1:1, these lenses bring small objects into sharp focus, revealing intricate textures and colours that are often invisible to the naked eye.

The versatility of macro lenses extends beyond their ability to capture extreme close-ups. They are also excellent for portrait photography, product photography, and scientific studies. The magnification ratio, combined with a focal length of around 90-105mm, makes them ideal for capturing detailed images of insects, flowers, and other small subjects without having to get too close. This longer focal length provides a greater working distance, which can be helpful when photographing skittish insects or delicate subjects.

When choosing a macro lens, it's important to consider the magnification capabilities rather than the length of the lens. A 1:1 magnification ratio or higher is ideal, as it allows you to get incredibly close to your subjects. Some macro lenses even offer a ratio of 2:1 or 4:1, further enhancing the level of detail you can capture.

Additionally, the minimum focusing distance of your macro lens is crucial. A shorter minimum focusing distance allows you to get closer to your subjects, but it's important to stabilise your shot with a tripod or image stabilisation technology to avoid camera shake.

• Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro
• Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM
• Nikon AF-S Micro 60mm f/2.8G
• Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS

Macro lenses open up a whole new world of tiny objects to photograph, revealing extraordinary details in everyday subjects. They are a valuable addition to any photographer's kit, enabling them to capture the beauty in the minuscule and showcase it in a larger-than-life way.

Frequently asked questions