Review Digital Camera World 07-22-2013

Digital Camera World

Camera Lenses Explained: how to get sharp photos using prime lenses Jul 21st 2013, 23:01, by jmeyer In the second part of our Shoot Like A Pro Series on how to get the sharpest photos possible with your camera’s lenses, we turn our attention to prime lenses. In this post we explain why you might wish to swap the convenience of a zoom lens for the speed and quality of a prime lens to drastically improve the quality of your photos. Fixed focal-length lenses (primes) may seem a bit like dinosaurs in these days of image-stabilised zoom lenses and the high-quality ISO capabilities of the latest DSLRs, but they still have a place in your camera bag. Sharpness is the key reason why prime lenses are such a great choice. With zoom lenses you get the convenience, but this is often at the cost of image quality, with barrel and pin-cushion distortions appearing at the wide-angle and telephoto ends of the zoom range. You can also expect an increase in colour fringing around high-contrast edges in a scene when you use a zoom, as well as vignetting. This latter effect is most commonly seen when you're using large apertures at the wide-angle end of your zoom. What’s more, zoom lenses are also more prone to ghosting and flare. Switch to a high-quality prime lens, and distortion and vignetting will be much less noticeable. Sharpness should also be excellent, so you can really make the most of the high-resolution sensors fitted to current digital cameras. There are plenty of prime lenses to choose from. The prices of extremely fast wide-angle and telephoto optics are verging on lottery-win territory, but there are more reasonable options around such as the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 that we’ve been using, which is available for under £100. After sharpness, the main advantage of using a prime lens over the more common zoom is the wider maximum aperture, which enables you to shoot in lower light levels at the same ISO without risking camera shake. When people say that prime lenses are 'faster', what they mean is that prime lenses have a larger maximum aperture, which allows you to shoot at quicker shutter speeds. A typical 18-55mm zoom lens, for example, has a maximum aperture of roughly f/4 at the wide-angle end, shrinking to a mere f/5.6 at about 50mm. Switch to a 50mm f/1.4 prime lens and the largest available aperture is four stops faster. In low light you'd be limited to a shutter speed of around 1/15 sec with a typical zoom (unless you increase your ISO setting). However, an f/1.4 lens will allow you to use a much faster shutter speed of around 1/250 sec. An f/1.8 lens is 3.3 stops faster than an f/5.6 lens, and even an f/2.8 model is two stops faster. PAGE 1: The advantages of using prime lenses PAGE 2: Explore depth of field with prime lenses READ MORE Banish Bad Pictures: 9 quick fixes for common camera complaints 10 reasons your photos aren’t sharp (and how to fix them) New camera anatomy: 12 key camera settings to get you started right 24 camera features every beginner must memorize Photo Anatomy: how a top documentary photographer adds impact to his images Jul 21st 2013, 13:01, by crutter In our Photo Anatomy series on Digital Camera World we select pictures by famous photographers and explain point by point what makes them work. In our latest instalment, documentary photographer Nyani Quarmyne explains how he took this stunning portrait at a New Orleans street party. Colour and content Nyani liked the man's multi-coloured costume and was intrigued by the 'U Can Have Whatever U Like' slogan. "I thought it was an interesting reflection of the US's obsessive consumerism," he says. Selecting the subject This strikingly attired man was celebrating at a street party. "I caught his eye and shot three frames as he approached," Nyani says. "He paused for a brief moment for this one." Filling the frame "The scene was rather messy and it was hard to get a clean shot," Nyani remembers. "I liked this frame the most as I was able to cut out most of the surrounding distractions." Pin-sharp detail To freeze the man's movements as he approached while keeping the image as sharp as possible, Nyani opted for an exposure of 1/500 sec at f/5.6 using ISO800. Choice of kit Nyani used his Nikon D700 SLR, Nikon AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED lens and a Nikon SB-900 flashgun with a diffuser dome. "I had to use on-camera flash, something I try to avoid. Off-camera just wasn't practical." We say "Street parties, parades and festivals are great subjects to photograph. The participants are often dressed in colourful costumes and are usually only too pleased to pose for cameras. Using fill flash gives that extra kick of vibrancy to your images." Chris Rutter, technique editor READ MORE Famous Photographers: 100 things we wish we knew starting out How to see photos like famous photographers… every time you shoot 21 street photography tips from the professionals 10 quick documentary photography tips 30 celebrity photographers who are actually celebrities

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