Knowledge Centre

Where to next with your Digital SLR?

Okay so you bought yourself a great new Digital SLR with all the bells and whistles. You got the two lenses that came in the kit and, after playing around with them for a while you want to take the next step and buy another lens that will really change the way your images look. So what are your options?

Sports = Bigger Zoom

Most twin lens kits already come with a big zoom lens so finding another lens that really brings your images closer is not easy, nor is it cheap. However there are some terrific lenses out there that are worth having a look at:
Sigma have an amazing 150-500mm Zoom lens, which on most digital SLR cameras gives you a massive zoom lens that is the 35mm equivalent of a 750mm Zoom – now that is super powerful. Tamron also have a massive 200-500mm zoom that will have you seeing the world in a whole new way.

What great lenses – perfect for capturing all the action at the footy or the cricket.
The great thing about Tamron and Sigma lenses is that they are available for just about any camera.

Landscapes =Let’s Get Wider

If you love taking shots of landscapes then getting a super wide angle lens should be the next lens you run out and buy. Sure, the lens in your twin lens kit IS a wide angle but it is not a SUPER wide.Pop in to your local camera store with your camera and get them to put on one of these lenses and snap off some shots. You’ll be blown away.

Which lenses should you be looking out for? Have a look at the Tamron 11-18mm or the Sigma 10-20 – both fantastic lenses and available for most brands. Your camera brand also has lenses like this so do a comparison to see which one you like. These super wide lenses will totally change the way your images look and you’ll get more ‘Wows’ when people look at your next lot of images.

Shooting People? – You have to think fast!

There is one thing that is certain when it comes to shooting portraits – if the background is busy it will distract your viewers from the main subject – the person. The best investment anyone could make who loves taking pictures of people is to buy a lens with ‘fast glass’ this means a lens with an aperture of f2.8 or f1.8. Now what makes these lenses special is that if you shoot ‘wide open’ (smallest number) you will blur out the background dramatically and add huge impact to your portrait shots.

So what is the best lens to buy for these kinds of shots? Well if you are using any of the modern sub $3000.00 SLR cameras then the best lens to get is a 50mm 1.8 lens. These will make you look like a pro in no time and the good news is these lenses are CHEAP. A Canon or Nikon 50mm 1.8 will cost you less than $200.00 These are the best value lenses on the market and once you have shot a portrait with one of these you’ll never go back.

Freak Out Your Images:

Want to get past the standard look of images and get really creative? Check out the Lensbaby. A super creative lens creates unusual effects of focus and blur on your images that would normally take hours in Photoshop to recreate. The Lensbaby is possibly the most creative lens you will ever own as it dramatically changes the way your images look AND how YOU see the world.

So, there are four ways to change up the looks of your images. Stretching your photographic horizons with new lenses guarantees that your images will keep on improving and your ability as a photographer will continue to grow.Next up in our series of “Where to next’ we will look at Flashguns and how to get them off your camera to give you incredible creative freedom.

- By Glynn Lavender
www.creativephotoworkshops.webs.com

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