Types

Before you shop, take stock of the type of photography you plan to do. If you photograph a lot of wildlife, your needs will differ from someone who likes to shoot mainly portraits. Here's a rundown of the different types of lenses you'll see when in the store.

Standard zoom lens

All-purpose lens with a typical range of 18 to 55 mm.

Fixed focal length "prime" lens

This lens is less versatile than a zoom but usually has better optical quality and a smaller, lighter build.

Telephoto zoom lens

Designed to get close to the action, for sports or nature. A popular telephoto zoom lens is 70 to 200 mm or higher.

Wide-angle zoom lens

Best for capturing landscapes or groups of people, with a typical focal range of 16 to 35 mm.

Macro lens

For photographing extreme close-ups of small objects such as insects and plant life. 50 mm and 100 mm are popular focal lengths for Macro lenses.

Specialty lenses

For capturing images with special looks for artistic purposes. Ultra-wide-angle "fish-eye" lenses are popular, as are "Lensbaby" selective-focus lenses that let you move the optics to produce creative effects.

Tilt and shift lenses

These lenses provide perspective control in architectural and product photography.

Soft-focus lenses

Use these for portrait and beauty photography.

See also:

Digital picture frames

Scanners

Printers

Cell phones