Seth Shostak

Among the most aesthetically satisfying features of a good lens is the lovely color of the front glass. Check out the ads trying to lure you to new optics, and you’ll see come-hither hues of blue, purple, or yellow—as tempting as a new car’s snazzy finish.

It’s a commandment brought down from the mountain: spend less on the camera if necessary, but don’t skimp on the lenses.

Of all the components of a camera, few are as iconic as the shutter. The name of this magazine is testimony to that.

Remember f-stops? Not everyone does. Millennials shoot their selfies with automated smartphones that have sent f-stops to steampunk heaven. Old-timers who began with box cameras were spared the fear factor of f-stops until later in life, and may never have fully adjusted to these adjustments.