What do the numbers on my camera lens mean?
So when you see “mm” following a number or a pair of numbers on a lens, you will know that the number refers to the focal length (single number) or focal range (pair of numbers). Focal length is what you see when you look through your camera viewfinder.
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How do you read camera lens specs?
The focal length of a lens is determined when the lens is focused at infinity. Lens focal length tells us the angle of view—how much of the scene will be captured—and the magnification—how large individual elements will be. The longer the focal length, the narrower the angle of view and the higher the magnification.

What do the letters and numbers mean on a camera lens?
The letters and numbers in the lens name indicate the focal length, F-value, features of the lens, and so on.
What are the 6 lens categories?
6 Types of Camera Lenses & What to Do With Them

- The Standard Prime Lens. The Standard Prime Lens (or just Prime Lens) provides a fixed focal length.
- The Zoom Lens. Speaking of Zoom Lenses, the Zoom Lens might be your catchall lens.
- The Fisheye Lens.
- The Wide Angle Lens.
- The Telephoto Lens.
- The Macro Lens.
What does 1 1.8 mean on a camera lens?
You may see a number, a slash, and another number (# / #). The first number is the F-stop. Some manufacturers express the F-stop as a ratio, 1: ##. A lens reading 1.8 / 55 (or 1:1.8) means that the maximum aperture of the lens is F/1.8. Lenses with wider apertures let in more light and are generally more expensive.
What does f 2.8 mean in photography?
Because a lens with a larger maximum aperture lets more light into the camera. For example, a lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 lets in twice as much light when compared to a lens with a maximum aperture of f/4.0. This difference could be a big deal when shooting in low-light conditions.
What are the 3 types of lenses?
Three basic types of lenses: normal, telephoto and wide angle and their respective lens focal length. The normal lens is a standard lens for everyday use.
What does a 70 300mm lens mean?
A 70-300 mm lens is a medium telephoto lens often employed for taking photos of wildlife, sporting events, and astronomical subjects such as the moon, planets, and stars. It is also recommended for travel photography, street photography, and other candid occasions.
How do I know which lens to use?
If you want to fit more into your frame, you might want to look into wide-angle focal lengths: 14mm, 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm. On the other hand, if you want to get as close as possible to your subject, go for a telephoto lens with focal lengths that usually range from 50mm to 100mm.
Which lens is best for photography?
If you’re looking for an overall, general-purpose lens for sports or action photography, popular lens choices include the 70-200mm f/2.8, 80-200mm f/2.8 or 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6.
What is an 18 135mm lens good for?
Unlike the 18-55mm version, the 18-135mm is able to handle decent level wildlife and sports photography. It’s also the perfect lens for shooting portraits with your Canon DSLR camera. You can even shoot wildlife close-ups like the image below with the 18-135.
Is F4 better than F2 8?
An f/2.8 lens will give you twice the shutter speed of an f/4 lens when shooting with the aperture wide open. If you find yourself photographing moving people or other moving subjects, where fast shutter speeds are critical, then the f/2.8 is probably the right way to go.
When should I use F2 8 aperture?
Finally, you can use an aperture of f/2.8 to let in more light when you’re dealing with a darker environment. So if you’re shooting at dusk and you want to keep the exposure nice and bright, you can just open up the aperture to f/2.8–and you’ll be good to go.
How far can 75 300mm lens shoot?
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Specs
Focal Length | 75 to 300mm |
---|---|
Minimum Focus Distance | 4.92′ / 1.5 m |
Maximum Magnification | 0.25x |
Optical Design | 13 Elements in 9 Groups |
Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
What do you use a 18-55mm lens for?
The best thing about the 18-55mm lens is its versatility. At 18mm, it is fairly wide-angled and is great for landscapes. In the middle of its range, around 35mm, it is perfect for street, travel, and documentary photography, while the short telephoto zoom of 55mm works wonders for portraits.
What do you use a 70 300mm lens for?
What three lenses should I buy?
The Three Lenses Every Photographer Should Own
- 1 – The Mighty 50mm. If you only have budget for one extra lens, make it a 50mm.
- 2 – The Ultra Wide-angle. If your budget allows for two new lenses, buy the 50mm and then invest in a wide-angle optic.
- 3 – The Magical Macro.
What is the difference between 18-55mm and 18-135mm?
The 18-55 and the 18-135 have the same maximum aperture from 18-24mm. From there to 55mm the 18-55 decreases to f/5.6. The 18-135 is about 1/2 stop faster at 55mm and doesn’t narrow down to f/5.6 until around 85mm.
Do I need a 50mm lens if I have a 18-55mm?
The 18-55mm has a variable aperture of F/3.5-F/5.6, while the 50mm is a fast F/1.8. With a wider aperture, the 50mm can perform better in more situations. Whether you’re shooting on a bright sunny day or after the sun goes down, having an aperture of F/1.8 will let you shoot in any lighting conditions.
What f-stop is best for low light?
In low light, you’ll want to aim for smaller f-stop numbers like f/4. If you plan to do a lot of low light photography, consider purchasing a lens known for having a wide maximum aperture. Some of these numbers go as low as f/1.4 and f/2.0.
What is better f/2.8 or f4?
What is f4 aperture good for?
A lower f-stop (such as f/2.8 or f/4) will result in a brighter image by letting more light through. However, when you open up the aperture like this (f/2.8 or f/4), you’re going to get a much shallower depth of field. This is where you’ll get that infamous bokeh you’ve come to know and love.
When would you use a 18-55mm lens?
What is a 70 300 mm lens used for?
Which lens is better 18 55 or 50mm?
– Aperture
The 18-55mm has a variable aperture of F/3.5-F/5.6, while the 50mm is a fast F/1.8. With a wider aperture, the 50mm can perform better in more situations. Whether you’re shooting on a bright sunny day or after the sun goes down, having an aperture of F/1.8 will let you shoot in any lighting conditions.