{"id":29010,"date":"2017-04-24T18:00:32","date_gmt":"2017-04-24T22:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=29010"},"modified":"2017-04-24T18:00:32","modified_gmt":"2017-04-24T22:00:32","slug":"how-to-choose-the-perfect-lens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/how-to-choose-the-perfect-lens\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Choose the Perfect Lens"},"content":{"rendered":"

It happens almost every single day, sometimes a few times a day. I get an email that goes something like this:<\/p>\n

“Mark, I need some help! I recently got a new camera. The kit lens is ok, but I\u2019d really like to get a better lens \u2013 which one should I buy? I\u2019ve done hours of research but just can\u2019t decide. I only have enough money to buy one lens and I\u2019m afraid I\u2019ll get the wrong one. Please help!”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Does this sound like you? If so, have no fear, I\u2019m here for you.<\/p>\n

The Truth<\/h4>\n

Let\u2019s get one thing settled before we even begin. Someone has to tell you, so it might as well be me. Take a seat if you must.<\/p>\n

There is no perfect lens.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There will always be a sharper, faster focusing, lighter, better lens. You\u2019re going to find one with better bokeh, less distortion, higher contrast than the one you just purchased. Trust me, it\u2019s going to happen.<\/p>\n

Free yourself from the fear of buying the wrong lens. Embrace buying a good lens that you\u2019ll love for years to come. Trust me on this one \u2013 it works.<\/p>\n

One Lens to Rule Them All<\/h4>\n

My apologies to Tolkien fans, but unless\u00a0Sauron was secretly making lenses alongside his rings, there is no single lens to \u201crule them all.\u201d It just doesn\u2019t exist.<\/p>\n

Think of your lenses less like a \u201cone to rule them all\u201d and more like an army of specialists. You have a specialty, so one will be used more than others. But you\u2019ll never have just \u201cone perfect\u201d lens.<\/p>\n

Let Me Tell You About My Dad<\/h4>\n

I grew up in rural Montana surrounded by tools. My dad was a carpenter, gardener, mechanic, electrician, and ham radio enthusiast.<\/p>\n

We had a shed for the gardening tools; picks, hoes, spades, rakes, and even small tractor. We had a woodshop filled with things that little boys love; a table saw, radial arm saw, lathes, chisels, hand planes, hammers, and drills.<\/p>\n

There was a section of tools just for the cars; jacks, socket sets, oil filter wrenches, a timing gun, tap and die sets. There were specialized tools like drum brake adjustment tools. I haven\u2019t even mentioned the \u201cham shack\u201d filled with soldering irons, needle nosed pliers, wire cutters, voltage tester, and other gadgets.<\/p>\n

These were not just tools that were laying around to be looked at, we used these tools, a lot. I was hammering shingles on a roof before I knew my multiplication tables. My brother and I were using chainsaws (unsupervised) before we realized that girls were interesting.<\/p>\n

My dad taught us about the tools, what each one did, and most importantly, did not<\/em> do. We were shown how to take care of the tools and keep them organized. My dad had several toolboxes, each one specific to a certain type of work; a woodworking toolbox, a toolbox for fixing the cars, a small electrician\u2019s toolbox, and one to keep with the tractor.<\/p>\n

One day my dad told me was time for me to get my own tools. We went to the shop and built a small wooden toolbox. I was so proud when my dad presented me with my first tool; a hammer. For a long time that single hammer was all I had. I borrowed other tools when I needed them, but over the years my toolbox filled up and I could tackle all sorts of tasks.<\/p>\n

Your Toolbox<\/h4>\n

Think of your first big lens purchase as that proverbial hammer. It\u2019s the tool that will work for most<\/em> situations. Then, over the years, you\u2019ll add more lenses for specific tasks. You may have a lens for scenic photos, one for portraits, a lens for low light events, and one just for creamy bokeh. But to start \u2013 you just need one tool, there will be time for the tool shed later.<\/p>\n

Free yourself from the expectation that you have to buy the perfect lens<\/em>. Buy a great lens, and then rent or borrow if you need something for a specific job. Over time, fill your toolbox. It took me about 17 years to get all of my lenses, there\u2019s no rush.<\/p>\n

Let me show you how this looks.<\/p>\n

My Travel<\/em> Photography Toolbox<\/h5>\n