Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
very useful and saves me a lot of time. I then save the files as JPEGs for ease of
use. I am sure that you will find your own way of processing your images.
Lenses
Using different lenses present the photographer with many more options for
capturing action. Compact digital cameras offer a zoom facility that allows for
a range of shots using telephoto and wide angle options as well as a digital
zoom, which enables extreme closeups, though with a loss of some quality by
way of noise; however, the DSLR enables the use of interchangeable lenses.
The digital zoom mode on compact digital cameras can prove pretty useful
for achieving closeup shots of wildlife and the like.
DSLRs offer more flexibility through the use of different interchangeable
lenses, of which there is a very wide choice on offer. Lenses fall into two
general categories: prime lenses with a fixed focal length and zoom lenses.
Wide-angle lenses range from the ultra-wide-angle lens of around 14mm
to those with a focal length of around 28mm. These are very useful for
landscapes, interiors, and portraiture.
Standard lenses have a focal length around 50mm and are useful for a range
of subjects, from landscapes to portraiture.
Telephoto lenses range in focal length from around 75mm to 500mm and
are used to photograph subjects at a distance. Telephoto lenses are ideal for
sports and wildlife photography.
Zoom lenses offer variable ranges of focal length in a single lens. These focal
lengths generally fall within a particular range, though there are lenses that offer
a much wider focal range. Zoom lenses of the type in which the focal length and
field of view can be adjusted without the need to refocus are standard in digital
compact cameras. Lenses range from ultra-wide-angle ones to large telephoto
lenses. Each lens has its particular qualities and uses and is suited to different
situations. For this reason, photographers often own a range of lenses to cover
the demands of different subjects. Possessing a number of lenses with different
focal lengths can be very expensive; you can achieve a lot with a single lens with
a modest range of focal lengths. You should be aware that lenses with a very
wide range of focal lengths, from the wide angle to extreme telephoto, are likely
to produce images of lower quality. As with so many other matters, the choice of
lenses appears to be a matter of compromise and personal needs.
A number of specialist lenses are available that come in different forms and
are intended for a relatively narrow range of uses. Macro lenses permit very
close focus, allowing the study of very small subjects or extreme closeups of a
subject. Super-telephoto lenses allow for photographing subjects at extreme
distances; fisheye lenses achieve the unusual effect of creating an extremely
curved image; tilt-shift lenses allow for the manipulation of perspective by
adjusting horizontal and vertical planes. Most of these lenses are not used in
general photography and may be of limited use in capturing action for analysis.
