But that's not to say that some zooms are not better than some prime lenses. Traditionally, primes have been considered to be optically superior to zooms, because trade-offs have to be made when producing zoom lenses. However, if there is a single focal length number (50 mm for instance) it's a prime lens, so taking in more or less of the view will require you to get closer or further away from your subject. If the lens has a focal length range with two numbers (say 24-80 mm) this means it's a zoom lens and is capable of zooming and being used at any point across that range.
The difference between various focal lengths, taken on a full frame 35 mm-format camera Hopefully, this guide will help you understand which lenses can be used to achieve what, why others can cost more than a family car … and how there are some sub $150 bargains which could change your photography forever. To the uninitiated, lenses are baffling tubes of glass with numbers and confusing acronyms printed on the side. But knowing the importance of good glass is one thing, it's another to know what lens will give you the creative freedom to capture the photos you want to get. As such, many photographers would prefer to shoot with an okay camera and a great lens, than a great camera with ho-hum glass attached. They control the image that's projected onto your imaging sensor, and ultimately what photos you are taking home.
Lenses are arguably the most important part of your camera set-up, they make or break your pictures. But it's really not that surprising, picking the right next lens can be daunting, which is why we're going to try to help with our guide to life after the kit lens. Despite buying cameras which have been specifically designed to take and make use of different lenses, a large number of photographers only ever use the kit lens that their DSLR or interchangeable lens camera came with.