 Shauna Linde |
Several Lens Questions!! I am looking into purchasing a new lens for my camera. Specifically, a zoom lens. So after reading some of the articles on this website, I figured I'd look at prices for a 100mm-300mm zoom. I am totally confused!! All these numbers and brands and what they are compatible with is very intimidating! I have a Nikon N80 with a 28-80mm lens. According to the article I read here, the zoom I have been trying to get more info on would be a great addition. So I've found price listings- the lowest is around $650. But if I spend this much on a lens obviously I want to make sure it's the "right" lens for me (and the camera). I'm just feeling very overwhelmed. When the specifications say the fstop is 5.8---that means only your shutter speed can be adjusted and the aperture is fixed? When people talk of a 300mm lens- are they talking about the maximum range it has? Example- would I say I have an 80mm lens? I just always refer to it as a 28-80mm because I don't know what else to call it (if there is such a thing). And if a lens has an automatic/manual focusing button on it, does that mean that the button I already use on my camera body won't be necessary when I have that lens on? I have so many questions--- I am back to feeling like a real beginner. I've just never really learned much about various lenses (obviously). So if anyone can provide some insight- or can point me in a direction where I can learn all this stuff I would be really grateful.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
The f/5.8 is the biggest aperture that lens has. There is a type of lens that dosen't have an adjustable aperture. Those are called mirror lenses(or catadioptic) but it's signified as having a fixed aperture. Calling a lens by it's longest focal length is common. If it's a telephoto. Zooms are called 28-80 zooms if that's the range they are. I'm not familiar with camera bodies that have the on/off switch for auto focus on the camera. They've all been on the lens. Unless you mean the focusing mode button that's on the body.
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Shauna Linde |
Thanks for the response Gregory- And I was referring to the focusing mode button on the body of my camera. The specs that I read for this particular lens said it had a auto/manual focus switch--So I was wondering, if my camera is set to Auto focus mode, what happens with the lens? I guess I'm just confused as to which button would take priority- the one on the camera body, or the one on the lens???
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
What I meant by focusing mode was one shot focus or continous focus(al servo). If it is an on/off switch on the camera body, I'd think the one on the lens needs to be on because the motor is in the lens. But if the on/off switch on the camera is on, and the one on the lens is off, you may not be able to take a picture because the camera is waiting on a signal from the lens. Try it with the 28-80 and see.
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Shauna Linde |
I would if I could (try the different settings between the lens and camera), but my lens doesn't have a switch! Only my camera body.......I think I'll just go down to the camera shop here and profess that I am "lens ignorant" and hope for the best. :) Thanks for the help youve provided!
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