Lens News

Every new photographer is forced to confront a bewildering array of unfamiliar terminology from camera settings, features like exposure control, and physical buttons, to odd-sounding technical methods and post-processing nomenclature. So pull up a chair and let's get you up to speed.

Bokeh is a popular topic these days, especially for those contemplating the purchase of a new lens. As you’ll see in the straightforward tutorial below, it’s also an imaging characteristic that can be manipulated with whatever lenses you own.

The new Samyang 35mm f/1.2 AS UMC CS is a relatively affordable high-speed lens designed for use with Sony E, MFT, Fujifilm X and Canon M mirrorless cameras. It’s scheduled to ship in September for around $500, and offers great versatility for low-light photography.

Ten years ago we ran an article extolling the virtues of soft focus lenses and explaining how to make a pretty sophisticated one yourself. And now, in the DIY video below, you’ll learn a less expensive method for making a basic version.

Back in the day when prime lenses ruled supreme and snooty purists decried zooms for lack of absolute sharpness, Tele-Converters (TCs) were popular accessories. Photographers wanted to bring distant subjects closer, and TCs provided a means to that end. Also known as tele-extenders, these thick slabs of metal and glass increase the focal length of a given lens while also decreasing the f/stop.

Photokina, the world’s largest imaging show, will open its doors in Cologne, Germany in a week and an array of new cameras, lenses, and assorted photo accessories are set to make their debuts at this massive event.

When shooting street photography, you're supposed to be quiet, unobtrusive and discreet, right? So, naturally, you should use compact fast prime lenses that don't attract much attention. But what if you wanted to use a long zoom lens, such as a 70-200mm? Impossible?