Choosing the Right Lens for the Job

Understanding Focal Length

Focal length, measured in millimeters (mm), determines the angle of view and magnification of a lens.

Wide-Angle Lenses (e.g., 14mm, 24mm, 35mm): Capture a broad field of view, making them great for landscapes, architecture, and interior shots. They can exaggerate perspective, making objects closer appear larger and those farther away smaller.
Standard Lenses (e.g., 50mm, sometimes 35mm or 85mm): Offer a perspective similar to the human eye. They are versatile and often have wider maximum apertures (good for low light and shallow depth of field), making them popular for portraits, street photography, and general use.
Telephoto Lenses (e.g., 85mm, 135mm, 200mm, 300mm+): Have a narrow field of view and magnify distant subjects. Ideal for wildlife, sports, and portraits where you want to compress the background and isolate the subject.

Prime Lenses: Have a fixed focal length (e.g., 50mm). They are often sharper, lighter, and have wider maximum apertures than zoom lenses at a similar price point. They encourage you to move your feet to compose your shot.
Zoom Lenses: Offer a range of focal lengths (e.g., 24-70mm, 70-200mm). They provide flexibility and convenience, allowing you to change your composition without changing your position. They can be heavier and potentially less sharp or have smaller maximum apertures compared to primes.

Landscapes: Wide-angle zoom (e.g., 16-35mm) or wide-angle prime.
Portraits: Standard prime (50mm or 85mm) or telephoto zoom (70-200mm).
Sports/Wildlife: Telephoto zoom (70-200mm, 100-400mm) or super-telephoto prime (300mm+).
Street Photography: Small prime (35mm or 50mm).
Travel: Versatile zoom (e.g., 24-105mm) or a couple of small primes.

Consider your subject matter, budget, and desired creative effects when choosing your next lens.