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Closing the gap between you and your subject.

Moving closer to a subject is the best means of filling your frame with a well-composed shot. Sometimes, moving in isn’t possible. Happily, it’s easy to narrow the space between you and your subject with a telephoto lens—more commonly with a telephoto zoom. Typically, telephoto focal lengths are thought of as 135mm and up. Extraordinary telephoto magnification is available in affordable, All-in-One zooms. Lens: Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD at 300mm, F/5.6, 1/200th sec.

Give your land and cityscapes some breathing room.

Just as telephoto lenses bring your subject closer to you when you can’t move closer to the subject, there are times when the reverse poses a problem. Landscapes, cityscapes and confined interiors are just a few of the subjects whose scope is better captured with a wide angle lens. When it is impossible or inconvenient to move back, a wide angle lens makes it seem as if you had. Lens: Tamron 10-24mm Di II at 10mm, F/22, 1/4th sec. ©Tom Till

We live in the golden age of travel photography.

Traveling light has taken on new meaning, while the desire of returning home with great pictures, pictures that assure treasured memories, remains constant. This makes many of us even more grateful for today’s premium All-in-One zoom lenses which easily do the job of three or more separate lenses. As a bonus, one lens eliminates lens changes during a trip. The focal lengths you want and need are always at the ready. Lens: Tamron 18-270mm Di II VC PZD at 18mm, F/14, 1/640th sec.

Another zoom-telephoto advantage.

Telephoto lenses, as well as their remarkably versatile zoom telephoto counterparts, do more than bring subjects closer to you. As subjects are magnified, they are also better separated from distracting backgrounds. This pleasing effect stems from the narrow depth of field that accompanies greater subject magnification, as well as the visual compression characteristic of telephoto lenses. Lens: Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD at 300mm, F/5.6, 1/180th sec. ©Kel Kyle

DSLR sensors vary and so do DSLR lenses.

It is a safe bet that your DSLR’s image sensor is the APS-C variety or full-frame, which can complicate lens selection. Setting aside the complex reasoning for the differences, remember this about DSLR lens compatibility: (1) If your camera has an APS-C sensor, it is compatible with both Tamron Di and Di II lenses (with the appropriate mount). (2) If your camera has a full-frame sensor, it is compatible only with Tamron Di lenses (with the appropriate mount). Learn more at www.tamron-usa.com.

Life as it happens: The Best Lenses Make the Best Photos.

Life happens fast and precious moments disappear just as fast, so keep your camera handy and ready to shoot! With a premium All-in-One zoom lens attached to your DSLR, you’ll be ready to capture life—as it happens. All-in-One zoom versatility together with the sharpness of Vibration Compensation can help make your pictures look better than ever.

Choosing and Using DSLR Lenses

A key attraction of DSLR cameras is the ability to change lenses, but which lenses are best for you? With a few nuggets of information and jargon explained, lens use and selection is amazingly easy!

Sharpness first, then proceed.

Few things ruin picture quality faster than a lack of sharpness. While overall lens quality and good picture-taking habits promote sharpness, one key feature boosts sharpness dramatically. Vibration Compensation (anti-shake) is unbeatable for even crisper handheld pictures—especially in low light. It is VC that enables using slower shutter speeds for beautiful portraits in natural light without the harshness of flash. Lens: Tamron 28-300mm Di VC at F/5, 1/13th sec. ©Andre Costantini

Blurred backgrounds draw viewers to your subject.

Cluttered, in-focus backgrounds distract a viewer’s eye from the main subject. Pleasingly soft backgrounds are the solution and a wide lens aperture (a lower F number) makes it happen. Lenses with larger maximum apertures, often described as fast lenses, give you added freedom to isolate your subjects—directing viewer attention to precisely where you want it. Fast lenses and low-light shooting also go hand-in-hand. Lens: Tamron SP 28-75mm F/2.8 Di-II at F/2.8, 1/1250th sec. ©Andre Costantini

Fast apertures allow action-stopping shutter speeds.

In addition to their ability to more effectively soften backgrounds, lenses with larger maximum apertures allow a greater volume of light to reach your camera’s sensor, which in turn, makes it possible for you to select a higher (faster) shutter speed. It’s those faster shutter speeds (e.g., 1/500th, 1/1000th sec. or faster) that freezes subject movement for capturing crisp, playful moments or sharp, decisive fast action. Lens: Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di-II at F/2.8, 1/1600th. ©Andre Costantini

Wide-angle - A portrait alternative.

Wide-angle lenses, or an All-in-One zoom with a range that provides wide-angle focal lengths, are often confined to shooting sweeping landscapes or tight interiors, but wide-angle focal lengths are ideal for creating striking perspectives of otherwise everyday shots. A whimsical portrait comes to life by taking advantage of a wide-angle lens’ ability to move extremely close to your subject. Lens: Tamron 18-200mm Di-II at 18mm, F/8, 1/400th sec. ©Andre Costantini

Get close.

Many interchangeable zoom lenses, including some of the wonderfully versatile All-in-One zooms, offer a close-up function. Often called Macro, a lens’ ability to capture small subjects in great detail paves the way to a wide range of fun and creative possibilities. Close-up capacity is often referred to as reproduction ratio, with 1:1 thought of as ideal. However, zoom lenses typically offer more modest reproduction ratios, in the range of 1:3 to 1:5. Lens: Tamron 28-300mm Di VC at 300mm, F/8, 1/80th sec. ©Ruben Dario Cruz

Get even closer.

For those wanting to capture the beauty of small subjects in breathtaking detail, lenses dedicated to that purpose and capable of 1:1 reproduction ratio are highly recommended. Typically, these specialized lenses are a fixed focal length, with 60 and 90mm offerings being very popular. These lenses also excel at general photography and because of their exceptional optical properties are exceptional for fine portraiture. Lens: Tamron 90mm F/2.8 Di 1:1 Macro, F/[x], 1/[xxx]th sec. ©Ken Hubbard

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Tamron is a leading manufacturer of digital camera lenses for photographic, CCTV, industrial, laboratory, video, digital and scientific applications.

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All-In-One Zoom Lenses
by Tamron

over 2 years ago
Portrait How-To
by Tamron

over 2 years ago
Macro How-To
by Tamron

over 2 years ago
Fast Zoom Lenses
by Tamron

over 2 years ago
Macro Lenses
by Tamron

over 2 years ago
Ultra-Wide and Tele Zoom Lenses
by Tamron

over 2 years ago
Choosing Lenses for Your DSLR
by Tamron

almost 2 years ago

A key attraction of DSLR cameras is the ability to change lenses, but which lenses are best for you? With a few nuggets of information and jargon explained, lens use and selection is amazingly easy!

Closing the gap between you and your subject.
Give your land and cityscapes some breathing room.
We live in the golden age of travel photography.
Another zoom-telephoto advantage.
DSLR sensors vary and so do DSLR lenses.
Life as it happens: The Best Lenses Make the Best Photos.
Choosing and Using DSLR Lenses
Sharpness first, then proceed.
Blurred backgrounds draw viewers to your subject.
Fast apertures allow action-stopping shutter speeds.
Wide-angle - A portrait alternative.
Get close.
Get even closer.

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Guestbook for “Choosing Lenses for Your DSLR”

Name/Note Date

08/26/12

Wefunk7979

Yes

08/07/12

victoriacalling

06/11/12

Bas

Goodness

05/25/12

judith marie

I have the 18-270 love it for most things, but then I see other pictures, and think my photos could be better with a better lens. Thank you for tamron myphoto exhibit website.

05/14/12

Min Stair

Thank you! I have been looking at the 28-300. What a great lens. I am so impressed.

05/11/12

Bboyles

Great general description for those not as well adversed in photography and choosing the correct lenses. Kudos to Tamaron for producing one heck of an app!

04/28/12

bosley

d.e. bosley, jr.

03/26/12

Madcalabrian

Excellent work. I am a huge Tamron fan as well.

03/13/12

jdf2012

I have used Nikon lens for years. Recently tried Tamron and made a complete change over. Can't beat my 17 - 50 mm F2.8 it's dynomite.

01/24/12

Bas

I hope to be one of your family

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