"A camera lens (also known as photographic lens or photographic objective) is an optical lens or assembly of lenses used in conjunction with a camera body and mechanism to make images of objects either on photographic film or on other media capable of storing an image chemically or electronically."
Different lenses have different focal lengths and are better suited for different types of photography, such as landscapes, portraits, or sports.
Focal Length: The distance between the center of a lens and its focus point, measured in millimeters. Different focal lengths affect the field of view and compression of an image.
Aperture: The opening in a lens that controls the amount of light entering the camera. Different aperture settings affect the depth of field and the amount of bokeh in an image.
Zoom vs. Prime Lenses: Zoom lenses allow you to change the focal length of the lens, while prime lenses have a fixed focal length. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Image Stabilization: Certain lenses have built-in image stabilization features that help you take sharper photos, especially in low light situations.
Lens Mounts: Different camera brands have their own unique lens mounts, and lenses are not interchangeable between different brands.
Sensor Size: The size of your camera's sensor affects how much of the image the lens captures. Full-frame sensors capture more of the image than APS-C or micro four-thirds sensors, for example.
Lens Flare: Lens flare is caused by light hitting the lens at an angle and creating a reflection. Different lenses have varying degrees of susceptibility to lens flare.
Lens Distortion: Different lenses distort images in different ways. Some lenses create more barrel distortion, while others create more pincushion distortion.
Bokeh: Bokeh refers to the aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas in an image. Different lenses produce different bokeh effects.
Tilt-Shift Lenses: Tilt-shift lenses allow for selective focus and the ability to adjust the plane of focus. They are commonly used for architectural and landscape photography.
Wide Angle Lens: A lens with a short focal length that captures a wide view of scenery.
Standard Lens: A lens that gives a natural view of the scenery, suitable for most photography.
Telephoto Lens: A lens with a long focal length that captures distant objects with clarity.
Macro Lens: A lens specifically designed for close-up photography, allowing you to capture very fine details.
Fish-eye Lens: A lens with an ultra-wide angle that produces a circular or spherical image.
Zoom Lens: A lens that allows you to vary the focal length of the lens, giving you more versatility in choosing your composition.
Tilt-Shift Lens: A lens that allows you to independently adjust the focus plane and the orientation of the lens, giving you more control over perspective.
Portrait Lens: A lens with a fast maximum aperture and a focal length that produces flattering portrait photography.
Wide Aperture Lens: A lens with a fast maximum aperture that allows for low light photography and shallow depth of field.
Super Telephoto Lens: A lens with a very long focal length, often used for sports and wildlife photography.
Fixed Lens: A lens with a fixed focal length that produces high-quality images and is often used by professionals.
Soft Focus Lens: A lens that produces a soft and dreamlike effect, often used in wedding and portrait photography.
Mirror Lens: A lens that uses mirrors to reflect light and produce an image.
Lensbaby Lens: A lens that produces a selective focus effect, often used for creative and artistic photography.
Perspective Control Lens: A lens that allows you to adjust the perspective of the image to correct distortion or create a desired effect.
"There is no major difference in principle between a lens used for a still camera, a video camera, a telescope, a microscope, or other apparatus..."
"The details of design and construction are different."
"A lens might be permanently fixed to a camera, or it might be interchangeable with lenses of different focal lengths, apertures, and other properties."
"While in principle a simple convex lens will suffice, in practice a compound lens made up of a number of optical lens elements is required to correct (as much as possible) the many optical aberrations that arise."
"It is the job of the lens designer to balance these and produce a design that is suitable for photographic use and possibly mass production."
"To make images of objects either on photographic film or on other media capable of storing an image chemically or electronically."
"...on other media capable of storing an image chemically or electronically."
"There is no major difference in principle between a lens used for a still camera, a video camera, a telescope, a microscope, or other apparatus..."
"...different focal lengths, apertures, and other properties."
"Some aberrations will be present in any lens system."
"...to correct (as much as possible) the many optical aberrations that arise."
"While in principle a simple convex lens will suffice..."
"...a design that is suitable for photographic use and possibly mass production."
"...used in conjunction with a camera body and mechanism to make images of objects..."
"...to make images of objects."
"It is the job of the lens designer to balance these [optical aberrations]..."
"...on other media capable of storing an image chemically or electronically."
"A compound lens made up of a number of optical lens elements is required to correct... the many optical aberrations that arise."
"...a still camera, a video camera, a telescope, a microscope, or other apparatus..."