How to change a Lens on DSLR Camera
When you borrow a camera pack, a lens is not included. You will need to ask for this separately. Use the video below to understand how to take the lens on and off.
Borrowing a Lens
You can borrow lenses, tripods and cameras through the LTC library website. Visit our Equipment Expectations page to guide you through this process.
Selecting a Lens
Which lens should you choose? See below for an explanation and examples of how the type of lens will affect your photographs.
Focal Length: 8mm to 15mm
Fisheye lenses are ultra-wide-angle lenses that create a strong spherical distortion, producing images with a "fishbowl" effect. They capture an extremely wide field of view, often 180 degrees or more, making them ideal for creative, artistic shots, 360-degree photography, and applications requiring an exaggerated perspective.
Focal Length: 8mm to 16mm
These lenses offer an extremely wide field of view, often with noticeable distortion. They are great for capturing expansive landscapes, architectural interiors, and dramatic perspectives. Lenses at the lower end of this range, like 8mm, might be fisheye lenses, which intentionally distort the image for a spherical effect.
Focal Length: 17mm to 35mm
Wide-angle lenses capture a broad field of view with minimal distortion compared to ultra-wide lenses. They're commonly used in landscape photography, architecture, and environmental portraits.
Focal Length: 35mm to 50mm
Example: Our kit lenses (ones that come with a camera when you buy it are 18-55mm).
Standard lenses offer a field of view that closely resembles human vision, making them versatile for various types of photography, including street, portrait, and documentary work. The 50mm lens is often referred to as a "nifty fifty" due to its popularity and balanced perspective.
Focal Length: 50mm
The 50mm prime lens, often referred to as the "nifty fifty," is a standard lens that closely mimics the field of view of human vision. It’s known for its versatility, sharpness, and ability to produce a natural perspective, making it a favorite for portrait, street, and everyday photography. Its wide aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and creates a shallow depth of field, ideal for isolating subjects.
Focal Length: 85mm to 135mm
These lenses are ideal for portrait photography because they provide a natural perspective and flattering compression of facial features. They also offer a shallow depth of field, making it easier to blur backgrounds and isolate subjects.
Focal Length: 135mm to 300mm
Telephoto lenses allow photographers to capture distant subjects with greater detail. They are often used in sports, wildlife, and event photography where getting close to the subject isn't possible.
Focal Length: 300mm and above
Super-telephoto lenses are designed for extreme close-ups of distant subjects. They are essential for wildlife photography, bird photography, and sports where long-distance shooting is required. These lenses often come with image stabilization due to the challenges of hand-holding such long lenses.
Focal Length: 50mm to 200mm (with macro focusing capabilities)
Example: Our macro lens is 60mm
Macro lenses are specifically designed for close-up photography, allowing for 1:1 or greater magnification of small subjects, such as insects, flowers, and other details. They can range in focal length but are characterized by their ability to focus very closely.
Some of our Nikon rear lens caps may feel like they stick but there is a trick to taking them off. Use the video below to guide you.