Learn what lens focal length is, how zoom works, and when to use a wide-angle, portrait, or telephoto lens.

Do you have a camera with a basic lens (like an 18–55 mm), love taking portraits, but still can’t seem to get that beautiful blurry background you see in other portraits? Let’s be honest—a portrait with a nicely blurred background just looks more professional than one where everything is in sharp focus. Don’t worry, you don’t need to rush out and buy an expensive lens. To start with, you can work with the gear you already have.  

Thinking about buying a second-hand camera? Used camera equipment can be a great option if you know what to look for. In this article, you’ll find tips on how to spot a quality used camera, what to check, how to test a used lens, what to avoid, and where to buy gear. Save money and avoid unnecessary risk.

When I first got into photography, my camera backpack was full of prime lenses with the lowest possible f-numbers. Back then, everyone insisted that I needed fast lenses. Their reasons varied: better technical quality, faster focusing, and most importantly, beautiful bokeh or blurred backgrounds. How do I see it today? 

For most people, camera lens filters are a round piece of glass that screw onto the front of the lens. But what if your lens is too long or wide, or you need to move the filter while shooting? There are several different options for these cases—ranging from relatively standard filters to highly specialized ones designed for specific lenses.

A lot has been written about the differences between Full-Frame (FF) and crop (DX, APS-C) sensors. The difference in features and functions can get complicated. In this article, I’ll explain these features using practical examples and take a look at the advantages of each system, and where they fall short.

Each clear night, millions of stars shine over our heads. It’s an amazing display for stargazers and photographers alike. A star-filled night sky can be enhanced by natural phenomena like the aurora borealis, a flying comet, and even meteor showers. Be sure you’re ready for these events. We’ll tell you what you need and how to photograph comets, meteor showers, and stars.

I tested the ultra wide-angle Sony 12-24/4 lens. It has an initial focal length of 12mm. It’s so wide that you don’t have to compromise like you would with similar lenses. Read on to learn how the Sony 12-24/4 performs and what issues you may encounter.

Thinking about purchasing a landscape lens and not sure which to choose? We compared four NIKKOR lenses for the Nikon DX mirrorless Z series, including the Z fc and Z50. We tested factors important for landscape photography, including everything from weight and focusing to vignetting.

Everyone uses lenses. Whether they are the lenses on your camera or your phone’s lenses. But there are also specialty lenses with a set of screws on the side. These screws all you to rotate or angle the lens in different ways. How do these lenses work and what are they for?