UNDERSTAND YOUR LENSES

Get to grips with the tech and terminology of the optics on your wishlist to ensure you pick the best ones for your photography

Lenses form the backbone of any camera system. Looking back through the history of photography, with some notable exceptions, it is often the lens mount which becomes legendary rather than individual camera models. The technology and the cross-compatibility of a lens system outlives the specific cameras on which they may have briefly been paired. The availability of lens options is commonly a central aspect driving the decision to invest in a camera model, as the variety, competence, and versatility of optics will dictate the buyer's success for many years.

With such engineering precision comes a multitude of confusing terms and intimidating choices. Even as an experienced professional photographer, it is possible to fall out of step with the current offerings from the lens manufacturers. New features, hidden functionality and a plethora of suffixes in the model names can sometimes make selecting the perfect lens for your photography a challenge.

As with all areas of photography gear, not all of these features will be critical for your particular genre of imaging. Some technology is built into the optical design of many new-generation lenses, so is not optional, while other specifications are user-selectable based on the price range.

In this guide to pro-level lenses, we break down the common tech in each category of lens, to help you find the best value models for your photography requirements and get more from those you already own.

Understand wide-angle lenses

Make your choice of optics for landscapes, interiors, and architecture