Lens is important component for every camera. Especially for DSLR users, choosing the right lens is a must. But todo this is a little tricky. There are factors to consider when choosing lens for your DSLR.


Your interest what klind of photos you like to take is the main factor. If you like taking picture of view or landscape, using wide lens is perfect choice. If your hobby is shooting animal, use tele lens or macro lens for capturing tiny object with high resolution.


DSLR especially mid and lowend has something called crop factor since DSLR use tinier sensor than analog SLR does. DSLR uses the same sensor size with analog SLR is still expensive and that's why they called them as high end DSLR. Crop factor influences to lens's focal length. Since the size of crop factor is 1,5, so when you use lens with 18 mm focal length, the camera read it as 28 mm. This doesn't count when the lens attached to the full frame DSLR.


You should consider about diafragma too when picking lens for your camera. When you shoot fast moving object alot, so 2,8 diafragma is good choice. It's different when you taking landscape image, it doesnt have to open diafragma too wide. Note that the more a lens support wide open diafragma, the more price you have to pay, and it goes along with the weigh.


The brand is also factor tobe considered. Generally a combination from the same vendor of camera and lens perform best producing image. And the fact is wellknown brand lens is expensive. This doens't matter for those who has unlimited budget. But when the budget is a serious problem, it's alrite to pick a third party lens.
Just remember, before deciding to choose a lens, always find information about it first, there are plenty of source you could find, such like internet, magazine, friends.
Ok, choose the righ lens for you, attach it to your camera.. then start shooting around!!!
Happy hunting!!



Sunday, 23th of April 2006
Sei Putih, Medan Petisah, Medan
Arief Kamajaya, freelance photographer