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The Lens: A Practical Guide for the Creative Photographer
Which lens should I buy for my camera? It's such a simple question, but choosing the right lens or lenses is actually one of the most important photographic decisions you can make. Nothing affects the quality of a photo more than the lens. It's no longer just about the megapixels-it's the glass that makes all the difference! Many first-time buyers of DSLRs don't venture past the basic lens included in the box. While some are reluctant to spend more money, others are confused by all the buzzwords or are overwhelmed by all the choices out there. It's really a shame, because interchangeable lenses give you amazing scope for quality photography. Take in vast sweeping scenes with a wide angle lens. Capture faraway birds with a telephoto lens. Examine the tiniest detail of a flower with a macro lens. Record the perfect portrait with a prime lens. Anything is possible when you choose the right lens for the job! This book isn't a simple catalogue of available lenses. New products are coming out all the time, and comparing specific lenses can be difficult. Instead, author N.K. Guy gives you all the information you need to make smart buying decisions. Optical technology is demystified, arcane terminology is decoded, and practical tips are provided. The Lens will help you build the perfect lens collection to suit your needs-now and in the future.
- GenresPhotography
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
13 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 14, 2018
Great for beginners!
April 9, 2015
I found this book in the library some months ago and started reading it but didn't finish it. Since then I started it again after reading a review of it on a photography website and was impressed with the reviewer's comments and the thoroughness that he ascribed to author Guy. So I picked it up again and finished it this time.
This is the most thorough discussion of camera lenses I have ever run across. Author N.K. Guy covers all the relevant topics as they relate to camera lenses, starting with a history of optics and ending with a chapter on creative options outside of traditional lenses. He includes a discussion on the role that lenses served on film cameras, digital cameras and how they differ. In addition he includes 5 appendices that summarize lens-to-camera mount systems for all the major manufacturers.
I very much appreciated author Guy's discussion of how lenses work, what lenses to use for different situations, how to buy a lens, what filters can and can't do for a lens and even a discussion of how telephoto lenses are able to do what they do.
The only reason I didn't give this book 5-stars was that there were a few instances of where the author was explaining a particular point and I found his explanation of that particular topic not particularly clear and left me scratching my head. Aside from that I found the book to be clear, understandable and enjoyable. After reading this book I came away with a very solid understanding of camera lenses, how to select and use them and what they are capable of doing.
I recommend this to any photographer who has questions about camera lenses and how they serve the art of photography. Both professional and enthusiastic amateur can learn much about lenses from this book.
This is the most thorough discussion of camera lenses I have ever run across. Author N.K. Guy covers all the relevant topics as they relate to camera lenses, starting with a history of optics and ending with a chapter on creative options outside of traditional lenses. He includes a discussion on the role that lenses served on film cameras, digital cameras and how they differ. In addition he includes 5 appendices that summarize lens-to-camera mount systems for all the major manufacturers.
I very much appreciated author Guy's discussion of how lenses work, what lenses to use for different situations, how to buy a lens, what filters can and can't do for a lens and even a discussion of how telephoto lenses are able to do what they do.
The only reason I didn't give this book 5-stars was that there were a few instances of where the author was explaining a particular point and I found his explanation of that particular topic not particularly clear and left me scratching my head. Aside from that I found the book to be clear, understandable and enjoyable. After reading this book I came away with a very solid understanding of camera lenses, how to select and use them and what they are capable of doing.
I recommend this to any photographer who has questions about camera lenses and how they serve the art of photography. Both professional and enthusiastic amateur can learn much about lenses from this book.
January 12, 2015
A very good introductory book on the different aspects that affect photography. The author discussed the underlying concepts in a concise way and the various tools one can utilize while taking photos.
I definitely enjoyed when the author compared different outcomes based on the various settings employed. This gave me a way to correlate between the parameters and their outcomes, and certainly helped me outline the areas in which I want to experiment more and practice.
I definitely enjoyed when the author compared different outcomes based on the various settings employed. This gave me a way to correlate between the parameters and their outcomes, and certainly helped me outline the areas in which I want to experiment more and practice.
June 5, 2017
The Lens by N.K. Guy is an introduction to the different options available for digital photography. Rather than focusing on a specific type of camera — or even a specific brand, this book goes through the different problems faced by a photographer and offers explanations on how different tools face the problem.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2017/comm...
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2017/comm...
December 28, 2012
Very clear and instructive, well-illustrated and helpful. Guided me towards picking out a few lens toys I otherwise wouldn't have known about. I particularly liked the sections on creative special effects, as that was a territory I hadn't known much about before.
April 25, 2013
An awesome book to understand Lens.
Quick, simple and elaborative. Covers all types of lens.
Quick, simple and elaborative. Covers all types of lens.
July 23, 2015
An excellent, indispensable reference for the mechanics of the lens, critical if you are about to make a decision about purchasing a new lens (which was the purpose of me burrowing this book)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews