Just came across this superb post on another wordpress blog on buying a new lens. Explains in very simple, easy to understand terms (for beginners like me that is), the key issues involved. Well worth reading!
(And it includes the first decent explanation I’ve come across of “focal length”… beats all the other stuff I’ve read hands down!)
6 comments
March 22, 2008 at 12:56
robsinlight
Thanks,
Glad you enjoyed the post!
Rob
March 22, 2008 at 19:41
LifeSpy
Hmm…I have found my 50mm f1.4 has an awfully lot of problems with digital, on film its great. A lot of primes were/are designed for film and I would be careful on purchasing without trying as they are not being made yet for digital(well Nikon have just launched a few)!
In the old days when I was doing news/sports it was easy we had a 24mm, 85mm, 200mm, and a doubler (2x converter),Not counting specialist lenses for cricket, football etc. All were fast lenses but we also had lots of bodies with different lenses attached doing away for the need to change during fast news events.
The way I consider purchasing zooms is by asking “am I happy with its widest setting” cos that’s what you will use the most, and modern zooms are only 2/3 of a stop slower than a prime and i can get the same coverage with two zoom lenses, but at the loss of not having a fast telephoto by one stop, so I just get closer
and image stabilisation helps on some subjects. Telephotos also magnify the subject, not just crop
March 22, 2008 at 21:28
fotdmike
I’m not at all clear why there should be a necessity to have lenses specifically designed for digital… got any links to articles re the science behind it?
Re telephotos magnifying as well as cropping, I’d sorta assumed that was implicit anyway.
March 22, 2008 at 22:17
LifeSpy
Non that I have to hand, but the main problem was the lens coating and the sensor, the sensor is shiny and bounces light back on the rear element; fringing is often a problem too (purple edges on the highlights, but can be other colours too)
Some manufacturers like Sigma do special type of lens that is compatible for both digital and film, and have slowly been discontinuing the film only versions.
Nikon have DX branding meaning they are designed for digital only.
I think Tonika and Tamron also have an equivalent digital signifier, not sure about Canon.
There is not a great deal of difference between digital lenses and film lenses both will give you a picture, but film on digital seems to throw a few curve balls when in difficult lighting, or just unexpectedly gives strange effects.
That said digital lenses can’t be used on film bodies as they are designed with the small sensor area and vignetting occurred on the edges
I just wish it was like the old days, you invested in lenses cos they always worked, now the bodies are constantly changing and technology forces lenses to be redesigned, so you can’t invest in anything untill it all settles down
March 22, 2008 at 23:17
fotdmike
I’ve been checking out the Jessops site meanwhile (goes without saying I’m at work at the mo’!) and looks as though quite a few of the Tamron lenses are designed for digital and some Sigma lenses too.
March 23, 2008 at 12:43
LifeSpy
Not surprising really, as a lot of camera manufactures are no longer making film bodies, lens companies are designing/supplying for just digital cameras.
There are some good classic primes to be brought second hand and v cheap, such as 35mm f2 (ideal for low light work) for eg. or even some very long lenses (harder to find) from local camera shop. They normally offer 6 -12 months warranty on purchase, but again try them first, cos no one is buying film lenses the shops often put them on Ebay, but then they have no warranty:(