1. LENSES The specs: focal length maximum aperture “long lenses, short lenses fast lenses, slow lenses” Fixed focal length (prime) or zoom

2. FOCAL LENGTH – angle of view and magnification 28 mm 50 mm 70 mm210 mm

3. PERSPECTIVE can change with focal length because it’s a function of viewing location. Short focal length exaggerates depth. Long focal length compresses depth.

5. NORMAL FOCAL LENGTH 50 mm But… Most digital cameras have a crop factor of 1.5 or more. The sensor is smaller than the traditional 24 X 36 mm film from of 35mm Cameras, so part of the picture is cropped out. Usually about 75% of the view is all you get. So…35mm is ~50 (normal) 50 mm is like 75 100mm is like 150 200mm is like 300, etc.

6. WIDE-ANGLE LENSES Wider field of view Greater depth of field Deep focus Minimize camera shake Emphasize foreground Great for landscapes

7. Pitfalls: Skewed lines Weird proportions Distortion at edges Vignetting Poor flash coverage

8. ULTRA WIDE LENSES – fish-eye 6 – 16 mm

9. TELEPHOTO LENSES Anything longer than “normal” – 2X, 3X, etc. Short/long Narrow field of view, magnification Isolation of subject (shallow depth of field) Compression of distance between objects Magnification of camera shake Slow shutter speed often required Haze Flare

10. MACRO LENSES Close focusing 1:1 reproduction on 35 mm film Focal length determines working distance Camera shake magnified Depth of field shallow Slow shutter speeds Tripod often necessary

11. ZOOM VS. PRIME (FIXED FOCAL LENGTH) Wide angle zoom 12-24 mm Mid-range zoom 18-70 mm Short telephoto zoom 70-200 mm Long telephoto zoom 200-500 mm Macro zoom close focusing Prime lenses are often sharper….but…. How many lenses do you want to carry? Have you tried the zoom during exposure trick?

12. SPECIALTY LENSES Perspective control Optical image stabilization Vibration reduction Macro with ultra small aperture Focus control portrait UV lenses Mirror/reflex lenses

13. BOKEH… good bokeh and bad bokeh

14. LENS ACCESSORIES Lens cap! Lens hood Filters Cleaning supplies – cloth, brush, blower Diopters Extension tubes, bellows Teleconverter