All camera lens types explained: Uses and functions

As a hobbyist or semi-professional photographer, choosing the right lens for the job is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Lenses not only determine how much of a scene you capture but also affect the overall quality, depth, and perspective of your images.

In this guide, I’ll break down all the major types of camera lenses, explaining their unique characteristics, typical use cases, and how they can enhance your photography. Whether you’re shooting portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or experimenting with creative techniques, this article will help you understand the tools at your disposal.

The Basics: How Lenses Are Categorized

Before diving into specific types, let’s look at how lenses are classified. Lenses are typically grouped based on:

Focal Length

Determines the field of view and magnification.

• Wide-angle: Short focal length (<35mm).
• Standard: Mid-range focal length (35mm–70mm).
• Telephoto: Long focal length (>70mm).

Aperture

Describes the maximum light-gathering ability of a lens, expressed as an f-number (e.g., f/1.8). A smaller number means a wider aperture, allowing more light in and creating a shallower depth of field.

Zoom vs. Prime

• Prime lenses: Fixed focal length, typically sharper and lighter.
• Zoom lenses: Variable focal lengths, offering flexibility.

With these basics in mind, let’s explore the various types of lenses in detail.

Standard Lenses

What Are They?

Standard lenses, often called "normal" lenses, have a focal length of around 50mm on full-frame cameras (or 35mm on crop sensors). This focal length closely mimics the perspective of the human eye.

Key Characteristics

• Natural-looking field of view.
• Versatile and suitable for a variety of subjects, from portraits to street photography.
• Often lightweight and compact.

Popular Examples

• 50mm f/1.8 (often referred to as the "nifty fifty").

Who Should Use Them?

If you’re just starting out, a standard lens is a must-have. Its simplicity, affordability, and sharpness make it an ideal all-rounder.

Wide-Angle Lenses

What Are They?

Wide-angle lenses have short focal lengths, typically ranging from 14mm to 35mm. They capture a broad field of view, making them perfect for sweeping landscapes, architecture, or environmental portraits.

Key Characteristics

• Expansive field of view.
• Emphasizes perspective, often making foreground objects appear larger and more dramatic.
• Can cause distortion, particularly at the edges.

Subcategories

• Ultra-wide lenses (focal lengths <20mm): Ideal for creative perspectives.
• Rectilinear wide-angle lenses: Minimize distortion compared to fisheye lenses.

Popular Examples

• 16-35mm f/4 zoom.
• 14mm f/2.8 prime.

Who Should Use Them?

Landscape photographers, architectural enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a dramatic perspective will love wide-angle lenses.

Telephoto Lenses

What Are They?

Telephoto lenses have long focal lengths, starting at around 70mm and going up to 600mm or more. They’re designed to magnify distant subjects, making them essential for sports, wildlife, and event photography.

Key Characteristics

• Narrow field of view.
• Compresses perspective, making distant objects appear closer together.
• Heavier and larger than shorter focal length lenses.

Subcategories

• Short telephoto lenses (70mm–135mm): Excellent for portraits.
• Super telephoto lenses (>200mm): Designed for long-distance shooting.

Popular Examples

• 70-200mm f/2.8.
• 300mm f/4.

Who Should Use Them?

If you’re into wildlife, sports, or candid portraits, telephoto lenses are indispensable.

Macro Lenses

What Are They?

Macro lenses are specialized for close-up photography, allowing you to capture tiny details with incredible sharpness. True macro lenses have a 1:1 magnification ratio, meaning the subject appears life-sized on the camera sensor.

Key Characteristics

• Exceptional sharpness and detail.
• Designed for close focusing.
• Typically have focal lengths between 50mm and 200mm.

Popular Examples

• 100mm f/2.8 macro.

Who Should Use Them?

Macro lenses are ideal for nature photographers capturing flowers, insects, or textures, as well as for product photography and creative close-ups.

Fisheye Lenses

What Are They?

Fisheye lenses are ultra-wide-angle lenses that intentionally create a circular, distorted image. Their focal lengths range from 8mm to 16mm.

Key Characteristics

• Extreme barrel distortion.
• 180-degree field of view.

Popular Examples

• 8mm f/3.5 fisheye.

Who Should Use Them?

Fisheye lenses are perfect for experimental photographers who want to create surreal, creative, or exaggerated perspectives.

Zoom Lenses

What Are They?

Zoom lenses offer a variable focal length, making them versatile for various situations. Popular ranges include 18-55mm (kit lenses), 24-70mm, and 70-200mm.

Key Characteristics

• Flexibility to change composition without swapping lenses.
• Often heavier and slower (smaller maximum aperture) compared to primes.

Popular Examples

• 24-70mm f/2.8.

Who Should Use Them?

If you want flexibility, especially for travel or event photography, a zoom lens is an excellent choice.

Prime Lenses

What Are They?

Prime lenses have a fixed focal length, such as 35mm, 50mm, or 85mm. They’re known for their simplicity and optical quality.

Key Characteristics

• Often sharper and faster (larger maximum aperture) than zoom lenses.
• Lightweight and compact.

Who Should Use Them?

Prime lenses are great for photographers who value image quality and don’t mind "zooming with their feet."

Specialty Lenses

Tilt-Shift Lenses

• Corrects distortion for architectural photography.
• Allows for creative focus plane manipulation.

Infrared Lenses

• Designed for capturing light beyond the visible spectrum.

Soft Focus Lenses

• Adds a dreamy, ethereal glow, often used in portraiture.

My Advice on Building a Lens Kit

When I started, I didn’t understand how much lenses matter compared to camera bodies. Over the years, I’ve learned that investing in high-quality lenses yields the most noticeable improvements in image quality. Here’s a strategy I recommend:

1. Start with a versatile zoom lens (e.g., 24-70mm or 18-55mm).
2. Add a fast prime lens (e.g., 50mm f/1.8) for low-light and portraits.
3. Expand into specialized lenses as your style develops (e.g., a macro lens for close-ups or a telephoto lens for wildlife).