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How to Buy Lenses for Your Digital SLR

If you're one of the millions of people which have bought your first Digital SLR camera, you're probably in a qu as well as ary as to what kind of lenses to buy. Here's a quick guide to DSLR lenses. The following applies to the most common type of DSLR, the kind with a sensor smaller than a 35mm film frame. Also, the exact focal length figures I've used may vary slightly between camera models.

1. Mid-range zoom: This is a lens with a focal length of approximately 18-70mm. You'll probably use it for 75% of your shooting. Luckily, all DSLR makers offer a "kit" lens in this range, as well as most discount it heavily if you buy it with the camera. The optical quality is generally very good for the price. It's pretty much a no-brainer -- grab it.
2. Telephoto zoom: This is probably the lens you'll buy next, as well as here's where you have to be careful. Salespeople will tell you a 200mm lens becomes a 300mm lens when it's put on a DSLR. It does not -- the focal lengths don't change. Go for a mid-priced 70-300. It won't cost you much more than a 70-200 as well as you'll appreciate the added range.
3. Wide angle zoom: Get out your wallet -- there are no bargains here. WA zooms are fiendishly tricky to make as well as you'll pay top dollar. A 10-20 will cost about as much as you paid for the camera, but the results are worth it. Since not many folks will shell out for a WA zoom, your superwide pix will really st as well as out.
4. Two-lens system: If you only want to carry two lenses, try a 10-20 as well as an 18-200. You may not be getting the very best in optical quality (i.e. distortion may be an issue) but you'll cover the waterfront.
5. One-lens system: Nothing beats an 18-70. There are some 18-125's as well as an 18-200's coming on the market, but check out how these lenses perform at each end of the scale before you buy.

• Beware of lenses with small maximum apertures (f5.6 as well as smaller). While they may be cheaper, they restrict your ability to shoot in low light.
• In general, you get what you pay for. But only big jumps in price bring noticeable jumps in image quality.
• Many DSLRs are quite happy using old lenses for 35mm film cameras. Before you eBay your old equipment, see if it works on your new camera!

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Added: Thu Feb 02 2006

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