Selecting the camera lens is an important part of choosing a digital camera because by simply changing the lens, the potential image will change. Understanding all about camera lens will help you get a good shot. They can be categorized as fixed focal length lens, retractable zoom lens, fixed zoom lens, and interchangeable lens.

A digital SLR provides you with the most flexibility for a range of shooting situations, with the best quality of optics, and is suitable for the serious amateur or professional. If you want to upgrade the lens quality, you do not have to buy a new camera. The downside is that it can be quite expensive, and the lenses can be big and heavy.

The focal length can be different for the same lens mounted on a film camera, which is very confusing to those who do not know much about them. A digital SLR with interchangeable lens allows you to detach the whole lens from the camera and replace it with a different compatibility. If you own several lens for a traditional film camera, you can look for a compatible digital SLR body.

The fixed focal length lens is best for novice photographers or those with a low budget. If you can afford it, upgrade to an auto focus lens, with selectable macro or landscape focus modes. But the focal length lens are very easy to use, and come in a compact design while offering a wide-angle view, suitable for landscapes and group photos. However, they usually produce the lowest optical quality. They do not usually accept converters and cannot zoom onto distant objects.

Retractable zoom lens extends from the body of the lens when the camera is switched on, and retracts when it is switched off. They are suitable if we like taking snapshots, have a limited budget, and are not sure about the type of photos you will be shooting.

Retractable zoom lenses allow a very compact camera design and protect the lens with a built-in cover. They offer a zoom range that is usually limited to a magnification of 2X or 3X. They do not support lens filters and converters. Lens extension prolongs the start-up time of the camera and there are limited manual focus controls.

Fixed zoom lenses are fixed on to the body of the camera and do not retract when we switch the camera off. They are suitable if we are a serious amateur or business user and are not sure about the type of pictures we will be shooting. Fixed zoom lenses usually accept converters, filters, and flash rings.

Lens converters allow close-up, wide angle and telephoto photography. They have a zoom range with a magnification of up to 12X. They offer more precise zoom and manual focus control, through rings on the lens, instead of buttons. They usually offer controls that are more advanced. However, the controls may be more complicated than we want and the camera is usually bulkier than one with retractable lenses.

When taking a photo, the first thing to do is choose the subject for the picture. It can be a landscape, an animal, a child, a member of the family, a still life, etc. If the photographer desires to bring the subject closer, choose a telephoto lens - a lens with a focal length greater tan 55mm. If the photograph needs to be broadened, the selection of a wide-angle lens is chosen, a focal length of less, with 40mm.

When a regular lens is used, with a focal length of 40 to 55 mm, if offers the maximum aperture range for a wider variety of lighting conditions. If money is not a problem, go for a zoom lens. It reduces expenses and increases flexibility, with only one lens.