Running With Camera Lenses: 8 To 10 Essentials

When it comes to choosing the right camera lens for trail running, there are several factors to consider. The type of camera you have will determine the lens mount and, therefore, the lenses that are compatible with your camera. Additionally, the type of photography you want to do will influence the lens you choose. For example, if you're looking to capture landscape shots while trail running, a wide-angle lens might be a good option, whereas if you're focusing on close-ups of runners, a telephoto or zoom lens might be more suitable.

Weather sealing is another important consideration, especially if you plan to run in inclement weather conditions. It's also essential to think about the weight and size of the lens, as you'll need to carry it with you while running. Some popular options for trail running include the Sony A6300 with the Sigma 19mm/30mm lenses, the Olympus TG-5, or the Fujifilm X-mount system. Ultimately, the best lens for trail running photography will depend on your specific needs and preferences, as well as your camera model and budget.

Zoom lenses for versatility

If you're looking for a versatile zoom lens, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, think about the type of photography you want to do. If you're interested in deep-sky astrophotography, you'll need a lens with a long focal length and a wide aperture to capture enough light. On the other hand, if you plan to use the lens for travel or landscape photography, a shorter focal length and a smaller aperture may be more suitable.

Another important factor is the weight of the lens. Heavier lenses can be more challenging to handle and may require a sturdy tripod or star tracker to support them. If you're looking for a lightweight option, the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM is a great choice, offering a versatile 10x zoom range. For a heavier lens with impressive image quality, consider the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G Master OSS, which is perfect for astrophotography and daytime photography.

Additionally, the maximum aperture of the lens is crucial. A larger aperture, such as f/2.8, allows more light to enter the lens, resulting in sharper images. Lenses with smaller apertures, like the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM, may be more affordable, but they might not perform as well in low-light conditions.

When choosing a zoom lens, it's also essential to consider your budget. Higher-end lenses with more features and better image quality tend to be more expensive. For example, the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM lens offers stunning image quality but comes with a hefty price tag. On the other hand, the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM is a more affordable option that still delivers excellent image quality.

Finally, don't forget to consider the camera body you'll be using. Different lenses are designed for specific camera mounts, such as Canon EF, Nikon F, or Sony E-mount. Ensure that the lens you choose is compatible with your camera body.

Prime lenses for more restrictive, but higher-quality shots

Prime lenses are a classic style of camera lens that has been around for as long as cameras have. They have a fixed focal length, meaning you can't zoom in or out. This restriction forces you to be more thoughtful about your compositions and encourages you to be more creative.

Advantages of Prime Lenses

• Sharper images: Prime lenses are generally sharper than zoom lenses because they don't have moving parts that contribute to lens diffraction, a phenomenon that causes light particles to bounce around when they hit the camera sensor, reducing image sharpness.
• Wider aperture: Prime lenses tend to have wider maximum apertures, such as f/1.8, f/1.4, and even f/1.2, while zoom lenses typically max out at f/2.8 or f/4. This lets in more light, making them ideal for low-light situations.
• Shallow depth of field: The wider maximum aperture of prime lenses creates a shallow depth of field, blurring the background and foreground to isolate the subject. This is desirable in genres like food and portrait photography.
• Better image quality: Prime lenses have fewer focal lengths to account for, resulting in less distortion and aberration. They produce sharper and better-quality images than zoom lenses.
• Compact and lightweight: Prime lenses are often smaller and lighter than zoom lenses because they have fewer moving parts. This makes them easier to carry around, especially when travelling.
• Improved composition: Prime lenses require you to be more mindful of your composition as you can't rely on zoom. They encourage you to visualise the shot before taking it, improving your overall photography skills.
• Affordability: Entry-level prime lenses offer great quality without breaking the bank. For example, a 50mm f/1.8 lens can be purchased for $100 to $300.

When to Use Prime Lenses

Prime lenses are ideal for still life genres like food and product photography, where sharpness is crucial and a tripod is used. They are also excellent for low-light photography, achieving dreamy bokeh backgrounds, and situations where you want to quickly visualise shots without zooming, such as street, event, and portrait photography.

Wide-angle lenses for landscapes and interiors

Wide-angle lenses are a staple of scenic photography, and for good reason. They offer a much broader view than a normal lens, allowing you to capture bigger vistas without having to move your position. This makes them perfect for landscapes and interiors.

Technically, a wide-angle lens is one with a focal length shorter than a 'normal' lens. On an X Series camera, for example, normal lenses are around 28mm, so anything under that is considered wide-angle. This includes focal lengths like 16mm, 18mm, and 23mm.

The large angle of view that wide-angle lenses offer is particularly useful for landscape photography. It allows you to fit very big subjects, like mountainsides or valleys, into a single frame without needing to move backwards. This is also why wide-angle lenses are useful for interiors—they let you capture large indoor spaces without having to step back.

Wide-angle lenses also have an inherently large depth of field, meaning you can keep everything in focus from the foreground to the horizon. This is another reason why they are so popular for landscapes. With good technique, you can generate enough depth of field to keep everything sharp from the foreground to the background, a look that is highly sought-after in landscape photography.

When composing wide-angle landscape scenes, it's important to think about the foreground. Wide-angle lenses really come into their own when you get in close to foreground interest to create dramatic perspective. Shapes are important here: diagonal lines and triangles pull the eye in, while squares and rectangles tend to block the view.

Another benefit of wide-angle lenses is that they can add a sense of drama to your images by exaggerating perspective. The distance between the subject and background appears to increase, with the subject looming large in the frame as everything else stretches out behind it.

Wide-angle lenses also have a distinctive look due to the distortion they create, particularly in the corners and edges of the frame. This can create a feeling of pulling the viewer into the composition.

When choosing a wide-angle lens, you'll need to decide between a prime (fixed focal length) or a zoom lens. Prime lenses are more restrictive, but they tend to be smaller and lighter than zooms, and often have a wider maximum aperture. Zoom lenses, on the other hand, offer more flexibility when it comes to framing your shot.

If you're looking for specific lens recommendations, there are several options available depending on your camera brand and budget. Here are a few suggestions:

• Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM
• Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4
• Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS
• Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 Asph.

Telephoto lenses for sports and wildlife

Telephoto lenses are a must-have for sports and wildlife photography. They allow you to capture detailed shots of fast-moving or distant subjects without disturbing them. When choosing a telephoto lens, consider factors such as focal length, aperture, image stabilization, weight, durability, and compatibility with your camera body and brand. Here are some recommended telephoto lenses for sports and wildlife photography:

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens

This Canon telephoto zoom lens offers a versatile focal range, advanced image stabilization, fast and silent autofocus, and impressive clarity. It is compact and lightweight compared to many super-telephoto lenses, making it a handy companion for wildlife photography adventures. It is also weather-sealed, ensuring durability in various conditions.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm is an affordable option that delivers impressive performance. With a focal length of 500mm on FX-format cameras and 750mm equivalent on DX-format cameras, it provides exceptional reach for capturing distant subjects. It features Extra-low Dispersion glass to reduce glare and ensure clear images. However, it may not be fully weather-sealed and compatible with all Nikon DSLRs.

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

The Sony FE 200-600mm is a versatile super-telephoto zoom lens that delivers outstanding optical performance. It incorporates five extra-low dispersion elements and an aspherical element to control chromatic aberrations and distortion, resulting in sharp and clear images. The lens has dust and moisture-resistant construction and a fast autofocus system, making it a reliable choice for outdoor photography.

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2

The Tamron SP 150-600mm is an affordable option that offers an extensive zoom range and advanced optical technology for sharp and clear images. It features Low Dispersion elements to eliminate chromatic aberrations and anti-reflection technologies to handle backlit situations effectively. The lens has a moisture-resistant construction and a fast, quiet autofocus system, making it a versatile choice for wildlife photography.

Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary

The Sigma 150-600mm is a lightweight and versatile hyper-telephoto zoom lens that delivers sharp and high-resolution images. It incorporates FLD and SLD elements to reduce chromatic aberrations and a Super Multi-Coating to suppress flare and ghosting. The lens has a Hyper Sonic Motor for fast and quiet autofocus and is dust and splash-resistant, making it a durable option for outdoor photography.

Macro lenses for close-up photography

Macro lenses are a speciality in photography, designed to take close-up photos of small subjects and magnify them to at least real-life size on your camera's sensor. They are also great for portrait photography, as they are sharp and offer excellent colour and contrast.

When choosing a macro lens, you should consider the following:

• Focal length: Macro lenses come in a variety of focal lengths, from 40mm up to 200mm. The shorter the focal length, the less expensive the lens is likely to be. However, shorter focal lengths require you to get closer to the subject, which may not always be desirable or practical. A focal length of at least 100mm is recommended in most cases, as it gives you more working room.
• Aperture: Most macro lenses are f/2.8 or f/4. In macro photography, you will want to use narrower apertures like f/8, f/11 or f/16 to have a greater depth of field. If you are also planning to use the lens for portraits, the f/2.8 aperture might not be a concern, as longer focal lengths can still render beautiful bokeh and creamy backgrounds.
• Magnification: True macro lenses should offer a 1:1 magnification ratio or greater. Look for 1:1, 2:1 or 5:1. If the number on the right side of the ratio is greater than the number on the left, it is not a true macro lens.
• Autofocus: Some macro lenses do not offer autofocus capabilities. This may be a consideration if you are planning to use the lens for portraits as well as macro photography.
• Image stabilisation: Some of the best macro lenses include image stabilisation, which can be useful for field work or portrait work. However, if you are shooting extreme close-ups, you will likely want to use a tripod.
• Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM: This lens offers a big reproduction ratio, highly effective stabilisation, and a dedicated bokeh control ring.
• Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM: This lens has excellent quality throughout the entire aperture range and a nice manual focus action.
• Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S: An all-round stunning lens with pro-grade construction and handling, offering a level of precise control for super-fine adjustments to focusing.
• Fujifilm XF 80mm f2.8 LM OIS WR Macro: This lens produces beautiful image quality and is also weatherproofed.
• OM System M.Zuiko 90mm f/3.5 Macro: This lens makes the most of the advantages of Micro Four Thirds, delivering an equivalent 4:1 reproduction ratio that seriously enlarges subjects.
• Panasonic Lumix S 100mm f/2.8 Macro: This lens is compact for a full-frame lens and impresses with its pin-sharp quality, accurate focusing and balanced construction.

Frequently asked questions