Lens exchange is the charm of single-lens reflex and mirrorless single-lens cameras! How to choose a camera lens for beginners and tips for maintenance

“Interchangeable lens digital cameras” make shooting more convenient by changing lenses, and enable a variety of photographic expressions. In order to fully enjoy its appeal, it is a good idea to know the types of lenses and their characteristics, and to be able to choose the appropriate lens according to the shooting scene and subject. This article introduces the basic knowledge of lenses that can be used with interchangeable-lens digital cameras such as single-lens reflex cameras and mirrorless single-lens cameras.

Types of camera lenses used with single-lens reflex cameras and mirrorless single-lens cameras

Lens can be classified mainly by "function" and "focal length (*)". First of all, whether or not there is a zoom function. There are two types of lenses: "zoom lenses" that can change the focal length and "single focal length lenses" that have a fixed focal length.

■Zoom lens: A lens with a zoom function that allows you to change the focal length with a single lens. It supports various shooting scenes and reduces the trouble of changing lenses. The zoom range differs for each lens, and is described as "24-70mm".

■ Single focus lens: A lens without a zoom function. Since the focal length is constant, it is easy to grasp the characteristics of the lens. In addition, many of them have a small maximum aperture, so you can get a beautiful bokeh effect and it is convenient for shooting in dark places.

If you want to shoot in various scenes, a zoom lens is convenient, but if you know what you want to shoot, a fixed focal length lens is not so inconvenient. I would like you to try the beautiful bokeh effect of a single focal length lens.

* Focal length: The distance from the camera sensor to the principal point of the lens. You can think of it as a guideline for the angle of view (range) that can be captured by the camera.

[Reference] Change the lens and enjoy your camera even more! -Types of lenses and their features- (Olympus)

What lens should I use? A must-see for beginners, how to choose a lens (Canon)

How to choose a camera lens for each focal length

The type of lens is sometimes divided by focal length.

■Wide-angle lens: Mainly refers to a focal length of 35 mm or less, and can capture a wide angle of view (range). Convenient for capturing vast landscapes and spaces. Perspective is emphasized, so you can take dynamic photos by getting close to the subject.

■ Standard lens: Focal length 50 mm. The angle of view is close to that of the human eye. Recommended for those who want to take pictures with a natural atmosphere, such as snapshots.

■Telephoto lens: A lens with a narrow angle of view that can make distant objects appear larger. Since there is little perspective, you can shoot the shape of the subject without distortion, so it is recommended for taking pictures and portraits. In addition, a "compression effect" is obtained in which the distance between the subject and the background appears closer. Around 70 to 135 mm is called "medium telephoto", and beyond that is called "super telephoto".

In addition, there are lenses that provide special effects, such as macro lenses and fisheye lenses.

In addition, the angle of view (image range) will change depending on the sensor size of the camera body even if you use a lens with the same focal length. Therefore, in order to avoid confusion when introducing lenses, the focal length is also indicated by standardizing the full-size sensor. This is called "35 mm (full frame) conversion". APS-C size sensors are calculated at approximately 1.5 to 1.6 times the full size, and Micro Four Thirds at approximately double.

[Reference] What is the difference between full size and APS-C? Basic knowledge of camera sensor size that you should know before buying

Differences in how wide-angle, standard, and telephoto lenses are shot

The photos below are taken with the subject and the camera fixed, wide-angle (left/24 mm), standard (center/50 mm), and Each shot was taken with a telephoto (right / 200 mm). The closer you get to the telephoto end, the larger the subject appears.

And the photo below was taken by changing the position of the camera so that the size of the subject is about the same as the screen.

The wide angle (left) has a lot of distortion and hides the stuffed animal's ears. On the other hand, the telephoto (right) has little distortion and the background is greatly blurred. Of course, when shooting people, using a telephoto lens will reduce facial distortion.

The lens of the camera must be designed to match the manufacturer.

If the mount (joint) between the lens and the camera body is different, the lens cannot be attached. Note that even if the body and lens are made by the same manufacturer, the mount may differ depending on the model. Even if you're buying a third-party lens, make sure it's compatible with your camera manufacturer.

If the lens you want to use and the camera mount are different, you can also use a mount adapter. However, using an adapter from a different manufacturer runs the risk of not working properly, so use the manufacturer's genuine adapter.

If you want to keep the price down, use a used camera lens

There are many second-hand lenses on the market from major manufacturers, so if you want to keep the price down and buy a lens, second-hand items are also an option. prize. In particular, second-hand items that are out of shape tend to be available cheaply.

How's it going? It is best to check the actual used camera lens at a store. Points that you definitely want to check are the presence or absence of scratches or mold on the lens, the condition of the coating (whether there is peeling or cloudiness), and the wear of the mount. It is also essential to check the operation, such as whether there is any deviation in autofocus.

When ordering from an internet shop, etc., choose items that have detailed descriptions of their condition.

If you have a camera lens that you are interested in, we recommend a rental service

There are probably many people who say, "I have a lens that interests me and I want to try it out." You can take your camera to a camera shop and try out the lenses, but it may be difficult to get a feel for how it feels to use.

Therefore, we recommend the rental service. It allows you to use the equipment you care about for a certain period of time, so it is also recommended when you have a lens that you want to use temporarily, such as for event photography. Each service has its own characteristics, so let's compare them. There are various services other than the following.

[Reference] Camera rental specialty store Wonder Ones

GooPass

Rentio

Does my camera need a lens filter or lens hood?

There are lens filters and lens hoods that you should buy along with the lens. These are must-have accessories to protect your lenses.

Lens filters for protection are recommended for all camera users

There are various types of lens filters, but by all means use a protective filter.

Protects the lens from scratches, dust, and fingerprints. It also greatly reduces the risk of lens damage if the camera is bumped somewhere.

[Reference] When and how to use? How to choose and use a camera lens filter you want to remember

Recommended lens filter: Kenko "PRO1D plus protector (W)"

Kenko, the largest manufacturer of lens filters in Japan, has a rich lineup in both types and price ranges. "PRO1D plus Protector (W)" is a protective filter with a compatible filter diameter of 37mm to 82mm.

The surface uses a digital multi-coat that suppresses reflection with high transmittance, achieving surface reflection of 0.5%.

[Reference] Kenko official website product detail page

It also protects the camera lens! The role of the lens hood

If the lens is exposed to strong light such as sunlight or street lights, extra light such as flare or ghost may occur. Attaching the lens hood cuts the light from the sides like a hat.

In addition, the lens hood prevents the lens from being scratched when it hits people or objects, and protects the lens from fingerprints, rain, and dust.

To make the camera look better! How to clean and manage the lens

If the lens is dirty, the image quality will be poor, so clean it regularly.

The basic cleaning method is as follows. Use a blower to blow dust off the lens hood and cap as well.

[1] After blowing the exterior with a blower, remove dust and dirt with a brush. If you have a zoom lens, extend the lens. [2] Use a blower to blow dust off the front element of the lens. [3] Wipe the lens surface with a cleaner and cleaning paper. Gently wipe from the center outward in a circular motion. [4] Repeat [2] and [3] with the rear ball. [5] Wipe the mount with a dry cotton swab, then wipe with cleaning paper.

Purchase as a set is recommended! Hakuba "Camera cleaning 6-piece set"

It is better to buy the items necessary for cleaning the lens as a set.

The Hakuba "Camera Cleaning 6-Piece Set" gives you everything you need at once, including a blower, brush, cleaner, cleaning paper, cloth, and cotton swabs.

[Reference] Hakuba official website product detail page

It also affects the purchase!? Mold removal from the troublesome camera lens

If there is mold inside the lens, it will greatly affect the image quality, and there is a risk that the purchase price will drop when you sell it. . In many cases, it is necessary to disassemble the lens and clean it to remove the mold, which makes it difficult for beginners. Hiring a professional to do the cleaning can be costly.

To prevent mold, be sure to take good care of your camera body and lenses on a daily basis.

Protect lenses and cameras from mold! Recommendations for a dry box/moisture-proof storage

To prevent mold on the lenses, they must be stored at an appropriate humidity. If there is a "moisture-proof storage", management is easy, but the price is reasonable and space is also required. A simple dry box is fine, so let's store the lenses at an appropriate humidity.

[Reference] 6 recommended moisture-proof cabinets to protect and store important cameras from mold

Recommended dry box: Nakabayashi "DB-8L-N"

Nakabayashi "DB-8L-N" is made of plastic, and foamed polyethylene and silicon rubber are used around the lid. It is highly airtight and has a simple hygrometer.

There are 3 types of capacity: 8L/11L/27L, and 2 types of body color: clear (white)/clear black (gray).

[Reference] Nakabayashi official website product detail page

Dry box recommendation: Hakuba "KDSB-LBK"

Hakuba's soft dry box "KDSB-LBK" can be carried in a bag.

Since the opening and closing part is a roll-top type, it is highly airtight, and there is a partition with a mesh pocket inside so that anti-mold agents and desiccants can be used together.

[Reference] Hakuba official website product detail page

So far, we have introduced how to choose a camera lens and how to store it. Learn to choose the right lens for what you want to express, the subject, and the shooting scene.

*Data is based on research by the editorial department as of late February 2021. *Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the content. * Please use and operate the product at your own risk.

Sentence/bommiy