Manual focus is a lens mode that allows you to have more control over the type of shots you take. Unlike autofocus, you control the focus instead of your lens. Some lenses are a manual focus lens only, while others have a manual setting.
While you may prefer to use auto focus for all your photography, you will find times when manual is preferred. Manual focus is essential when photographing subjects in low contrast. Autofocus lenses may struggle to actually focus on your subject if the scene lacks contrast, meaning there are no edges for the lens to focus on. Further, you might prefer to use manual focus if you want to capture specific details on a subject, such as with macro or microphotography.
If your lens is not a manual lens, you first need to change the settings on your camera to the manual setting. Then, you can start focusing the ring by hand. Check the window display for the focusing distance and calibrate until everything appears as clear as possible.
Now that you know how manual focus lenses work, you can start experimenting with all sorts of photography. You can take all types of pictures with a manual focus lens. Get the best images with a Rokinon manual lens that includes an internal focus system and a wide rubberized focus ring. Rokinon lenses reduce chromatic aberrations and distortions to help you take better quality images every time. Shop our online store today.
]]>Like photography lenses, cinema lenses come in different styles, such as fisheye, wide-angle, and macro. A wider lens may produce a more distorted image around the edges. Wide-angle lenses are preferred in filmmaking because they capture the background and place the viewer in the scene.
One of the elements that makes cine lenses superior to photography lenses is par-focal. With a cine lens, you can zoom in or out on your subject without losing focus. This feature is often necessary in filmmaking to capture a perfect shot.
Bokeh is the blurry lights you see in the background of some shots. Some lenses will produce rounder bokeh, while others produce a more ovular shape. The shape is affected by the number of aperture blades in your lens. The bokeh will appear more spherical if your lens has a high number of blades.
Flaring is the artistic use of light to enhance a scene. Sometimes, it does not look purposeful, and so it is used sparingly and must be tamed at times. The construction of a lens changes how light bounces within it. Flaring looks good in landscape scenes and other types of B footage but would not suit an interview or dialogue scene.
The benefits of purchasing cinema lenses in a set from the same brand are that you know each lens will be compatible with your rig. Using a lens set from the same style and brand means you won’t need to recalibrate the settings when you switch lenses.
You will find cinema lenses that are compatible with any mount when you choose a Rokinon cine lens set. Knowing how to choose the best cinema lens for filmmaking is tough, but you can guarantee you have a quality lens when you buy Rokinon. Shop our online store today.
]]>If your photos are coming out blurry, dark, or just plain unattractive, use these tips for how to take better pictures with your digital camera to improve your craft. You invested in a DSLR for a reason, so you should learn how to use all its settings and features. Taking great photos requires more knowledge than how to aim and click the button on your camera mount. Keep reading for quick tips that will help you take full advantage of your digital camera.
Using the right ISO setting on your camera will help you take better photos. Your lens will come with a preset ISO setting that you can adjust, depending on the lighting around you. If it is dark, you will want to use a higher ISO that will make your camera more sensitive to light. Using a lower ISO when you have enough light to work with will help you avoid streaks and spots.
The shutter speed you choose will depend on what you’re photographing. Use a fast shutter speed to capture action and fast-moving events like sporting games or animals playing in real-time. If your photography requires a slow shutter speed, any movement of the camera could result in blurring.
Pro Tip: Don’t use a shutter speed slower than your focal length!
Exposure is how much light you allow into your photo; you can think of it as a filter. Most cameras have presets that manually adjust to let you overexpose or underexpose images. You should overexpose when photographing a dark subject, such as the night sky, and underexpose when photographing a subject that is mostly light, such as a busy city street.
Professional photographers know the exposure triangle. Shutter speed, ISO, and aperture work together in a synergy; when you adjust one, you must adjust at least one other. While auto preset settings may make some photography easier, you won’t get the quality photos you desire. It’s important to know how to work with all three to round out your craft.
Although autofocus lenses offer aid when shooting some subjects, you have more control over the settings when you switch to manual mode. Manual settings allow you to set up shots ahead of time and override the AF technology so that you can shoot macro- and microphotography.
You can use wide-angle lenses to take more than wide-angle shots if you know how to use them. In addition to creating a panoramic view, a wide-angle lens can create a sense of depth. Decide how close you want your audience to be to the subject, and choose your focal length accordingly.
The rule of composition is the Rule of Thirds. Imagine your photo on a simple tic-tac-toe grid. You should center your subject on one of the four intersecting points and let the other three points be negative space. Though many casual photographers will center their subjects in the middle of the image, placing the subject slightly off-center can create a more aesthetically pleasing photo.
Many photographers recommend shooting your images raw, especially if you plan to retouch or manipulate your photos in any way afterward. Unlike JPEG files, you must process raw files before you can print them. Raw images are large and take longer for cameras to process than JPEG files.
Taking multiple photos of your subject is not a sign of an amateur. Professional photographers know better than to take one photograph and expect it to be perfect. You should take multiple photos of your subject, especially if you won’t have another chance to capture it again. Further, it’s wise to check the images you are taking between shots to see if you need to adjust your camera settings in hopes of achieving a better-quality image.
No one wants to see blurring or lines in their images—unless they did it purposefully. The best way to avoid unattractive blur lines is to use a tripod. A quality tripod will hold your camera mount so that you don’t have to. Your tripod should be durable and allow you to place it in sturdy positions no matter where it needs to go. You can get tripods that go as low or high as you can reach.
Pro Tip: If you are using a slow shutter speed, you should use a tripod. Even the slightest movement can cause blur lines when you use slow shutter speeds.
Another way to avoid blurring in your photos is simply to hold your digital camera with both hands. If you have strong arms and a steady hold, you should be able to take clear photos. Further, you can prop your arm or elbow on something—such as a tree or wall—to give yourself extra stability, especially if you must hold the same position for extended periods.
If you are having trouble getting quality photos with your camera, you might want to update your equipment. While it might seem like a better investment and the right choice to buy a new mount, you’ll get a better bang for your buck and enjoy lasting quality when you upgrade your lens.
You can save for a better mount in the future by investing in better lenses now. Having a collection of lenses that satisfy each type of photography you want to explore will keep your passion alive and your skills sharp. Having multiple lenses gives you more options. In addition to manual and autofocus, you can keep fisheye, wide-angle, and cinema lenses in your collection to aid you with any project that comes to mind.
Take better photos with the right lenses from Rokinon. Whether you use Rokinon AF lenses, manual lenses, or our special performance wide-angle lenses, you know you have a top-quality, durable lens that will last. Choosing the right lens can be tough. Rokinon offers several versions of each lens type so that you can find one that suits your specific needs. Having the right lens will help you figure out how to take better pictures with your digital camera. Shop our online store today to upgrade your camera.
]]>Standard lenses are the most common lens type. They usually come with your camera’s starter kit. There are two types of standard lenses: zoom and prime. Zoom is the most common because it gives you the most variety, but using a prime lens requires more skill. Prime lenses specialize in one focal length, requiring photographers to carry more than one at a time. They produce higher quality images than zoom lenses too.
Wide-angle lenses are great for architecture and landscape photography. They allow you to capture more of the view in your frame. Additionally, they not only focus on a subject but includes the scenery as part of the focus of the photo.
The most common type of wide-angle lens is the fish-eye lens. It offers an even wider angle—180-degrees—and is known as a super or ultra wide-angle view. People believe it mimics how a fish might view the world.
To produce a sharp, close-up image, you should use a macro lens. Macro photography produces images that make the subject look life-size or even larger than life. You can get a close-up of macro details of your subject with this lens. It is popular for photographing subjects such as:
If you wish to focus your zoom beyond the boundaries of a standard camera lens, you will need a telephoto lens. Though bulky, these professional lenses range from mid-range, which is a focal length between 70mm and 200mm, to super-telephoto, which is a focal length over 200mm and up to 400mm.
Tilt-shift lenses are not common yet still offer photographers a way to advance their craft. They can be used to reduce distortion and manipulate vanishing points. Essentially, the lens can make your subject look small or even toy-like in your frame.
You’re not alone in the journey to understanding the different types of camera lenses. The art of photography is not something you pick up in one day. Still, you can give yourself an advantage with a new camera lens that does more than your kit lens. Shop new Rokinon lenses online today to find prime, zoom, wide-angle, and telephoto lenses, plus many more!
]]>The most important part of creating an impactful documentary is filming a topic that matters to you. If you don’t choose a subject you are passionate about, your viewers will be able to tell and may become disinterested in the film. Your documentary should entertain and educate while showing a unique perspective of your subject matter. You want to ensure the message gets across by making the film accessible to your viewership. One way is by choosing a compelling subject matter. Possible subjects for your documentary include:
Pro Tip: Make sure you research your topic before you start filming. A well-researched documentary will leave a bigger impact.
Even documentaries that teach a lesson should also tell a story. Like any movie, your documentary film should take your viewers on a journey. While you may know the story you are going to tell before you start filming, you can also figure it out during scriptwriting or editing. Every filmmaker is different and figures out their stride as they curate their craft. Further, each documentary you make may call for a different method. The method is not important if you can make the story memorable.
Once you have decided on a topic for your film, you should start figuring out how your film will look. Write down all the shots you will need to complete your documentary and start filming them. You can create a script regarding how you want your film to look and include a list of who and what you will need to complete it. Your list may include interviews and investigative filming to back up claims you are making in your documentary film.
The most important part of creating a documentary that people will remember is proper editing. Editing is where the magic happens. You should use editing software to sequence your shots and ensure they tell the story you want while educating and entertaining your audience. During this step, you will add music and additional sounds and focus on flawless transitions between scenes. You can cut scenes that don’t work or were poorly shot and develop your film into the documentary that you pictured in your mind.
Creating the documentary of your dreams comes down to more than planning. You also need the right camera lens to capture professional-quality shots to elevate your film. In addition to this step-by-step guide to creating an impactful documentary, you’ll want to use a Rokinon Xeen cine lens for superior cinematography. Browse our collection today.
]]>When it comes to taking good photos, your camera lens matters more than the body. Your camera is only as good as its lens. An average camera mount with a great lens will take far superior photos than an advanced mount with a kit lens. Lenses control blur, focus, depth of field, and sharpness while the mount has far fewer functions such as burst rate or video capability.
If you upgrade your mount before your lens, your kit lens may not be compatible with your new mount. It is easier to match a new lens to your mount. When you shop Rokinon online, you can shop lenses by mount to ensure you choose a lens that is compatible with your camera body.
You should put your money toward the lens rather than the mount so that you are budgeting for what will truly impact your images. The lens is what delivers quality photos, and it can be used on multiple mounts. Lenses are long-lasting and tend to hold their value. In the future when you do upgrade your mount, you will still be able to use the same lenses.
You know it’s time to get a new lens when you feel like you’re outgrowing your camera. A high-quality camera lens focuses faster and helps in low-light situations. While your kit lens likely has a few features to get you started, you’ll immediately notice the difference when you upgrade to a professional lens.
Saving money in the long run, expanding your craft, and focusing your efforts are all good reasons to upgrade your lens before your camera body. Save a little more when you buy Rokinon lenses for your Sony E mount. Rokinon lens products offer superior performance and advanced features at a price you can afford.
]]>Figuring out how to get your camera to do more than take close-ups will enhance your photography experience and may even rekindle your passion. Not only do you get to explore life through your lens, but with these fun styles, you can tell your story and share your perspective of the world. Keep reading to uncover what makes each of these photography styles fantastic and unique.
The essential thing to understand about your camera lens when taking close-up images is the magnification. Mainly, the difference between macro, micro, and close-up photography is that they have different magnifications. True macrophotography has a magnification of 1:1, while microphotography’s magnification is at least 30:1. Close-up photography does not reach the 1:1 ratio, falling short at anywhere from 1:2 to 1:1000 (which isn’t very close).
Your lens magnification tells you how big your subject is in relation to how big it appears in the camera. It refers to how big or small of an image your camera sensor can reproduce. The smaller the second number is, the closer in size the subject will be in comparison to real life. If the first number is higher, the subject will be out of proportion to real life.
While some lenses have a macro setting, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have a macro lens. True macro lenses have a magnification of 1:1, which means your camera’s sensor will render a life-like image of your subject. With a macro lens, you can also make your subject seem several times bigger than it is in real life.
Macrophotography zooms in to focus on the most interesting details of a subject, such as its eyes, scales, or petals, while still encapsulating the subject’s overall essence. With these lenses, you can put the main spotlight on one facet of the subject and bring it into more focus than the human eye can muster. Popular subjects to include in macrophotography include:
You can use any lens to take close-up shots. Simply zoom in on your subject to give the viewer a closer look than they might get in real life. Often, this allows you to see more detail, though not quite as much focused detail as you get with macro- and microphotography. You can still see your subject and how it relates to the world with this style of photography. It has a magnification ratio of less than 1:1. A lower ratio like 1:10 would mean that the subject is 10 times larger in real life than it appears on the screen. The best close-up shots are headshots and photos of nature.
While some people use the terms microphotography and macrophotography interchangeably, microphotography has enough distinguishing characteristics to stand alone. Often, there is a slight difference in the subject matter, as microphotography is more about textures and colors. It focuses on the micro details of a subject, such as:
Many lenses claim to have macro capabilities, but without 1:1 magnification, your lens is not truly a macro lens. Further, retailers will call some lenses macro lenses and others micro lenses, and you might expect each to be what it says it is for. Macro and micro lenses are essentially the same, though. Some manufacturers call their 1:1 magnification lens a macro lens, while others call it a micro lens, but they perform the same function.
Taking incredible macro and micro photos is a challenge for even the most seasoned photographers. Understanding how to take specialized photos is just half the battle when it comes to macrophotography. Often, you will need to set up the unique shots you wish to take or wait for the right moment to come along—which can be fleeting. It can be a struggle to find the right subject at the right time, and you want your photos to come out right with the first click.
Some of the best ways to handle the most common problems when taking macro and micro photos are to:
It doesn’t matter how many tools you use to get the perfect shot; no one will know when they see the amazing portfolio of macrophotography you display. Knowing the difference between macro, micro, and close-up photography can elevate your career and open new avenues for you. Once you get used to taking micro and macro images, you’ll be able to set up a photo shoot in no time at all.
You want the right equipment for your macro- and microphotography needs. Using lenses that offer you a macro setting may not have a true 1:1 magnification and, therefore, will not give you the images you desire. Rokinon micro four-thirds lenses are true macro lenses that come with manual focus and updated aperture control rings, which are ideal for advanced digital photography and cinematography. Shop our products for quality you can afford.
]]>Ultra-wide angle camera lenses are known as “fisheye” lenses and provide viewers with a 180-degree angle of a scene. The term was given to the lens in 1906 by physicist Robert Wood who believed the view was similar to how fish perceived the world. This evolutionary advantage for survival has morphed into an artform and lens type with many different uses.
Most people think of circular fisheye lenses when they think of fisheye photography. When viewed on a screen, you see the fisheye view with the corners filled in with a blank screen. Lines are not parallel, and the edges are warped. With circular fisheye lenses, the least amount of barrel distortion is in the center of the photo. Rectangular fisheye lenses are full-frame, but the angle is narrower.
While distortion is not typically preferred in photography, you may find times when you can use it artistically. Use distortion to your advantage to tell a story or attract the viewer’s attention to something in the scene.
You can use your fisheye lens to take super wide-angle shots if you learn how to alleviate the distortion. Straighten curved lines by placing the horizon in the middle of the horizon line. You will essentially “de-fish” your fisheye lens, giving you more options for its use.
Use your fisheye camera lens to take photos of curved objects rather than ones with straight lines that will get distorted. You will develop some unique shots if you work with the curves already present in architecture and nature.
Bookmark this guide to fisheye lenses for easy reference and shop Rokinon EF mount lenses for all your wide-angle camera needs. We carry full-frame, cine, ultra-wide, super-wide, and many more lenses to help you produce the shots you want.
]]>Whether you enjoy photography as a hobby or use it to pay the bills, you want to keep your gear in good shape. You don’t have to have the latest and greatest to take excellent photos, though. Let these tips and tricks guide you before you hit “Buy now” on that order in your cart.
The main reason you may want to update your camera equipment is to take your photography game to new heights. If you aren’t achieving the shots you want, it may be due to your camera’s limited capabilities. Higher-end cameras and lenses offer better ISO handling, faster shutter speeds, and improved focusing systems. Many also have a larger megapixel count, so you’ll get a sharper image.
Your progress could also be limited by having too many gadgets. It might be time to update your camera gear if you find a piece of equipment that can do the job of multiple items. Simplify your processes by upgrading to advanced cameras and lenses. If you’ve been carrying around multiple batteries or SD cards, upgrading your gear could lighten your load. Many modern cameras come with dual SD card slots, and contemporary autofocus lenses perform multiple functions, so you don’t need as many lenses.
If you are making the adjustment from hobbyist to professional photographer, upgrading your camera equipment will give you a leg up. You will want durable equipment that can withstand extensive use, and which can be used in multiple situations. Professional equipment should be able to hold up during harsh weather conditions like rain or high temperatures.
Show prospective clients your dedication to the craft with professional lenses that produce high-quality shots. Regardless of what you photograph, you will want to understand how to use your camera lens to attain a sharper image. You may want a lens that lets you manually control the focus for portrait and macro work and a lens with tracking AF when photographing sporting events, wildlife, and concerts.
Pro Tip: Upgrading your camera gear is expensive! If you work as a professional photographer, you can deduct the cost of your gear from your taxes.
You don’t have to be a professional to take a major interest in photography. Sometimes buying a new piece of equipment is exactly what you need to pick up an old hobby. Your inspiration could be lacking because you aren’t getting the shots you want, which could be due to low-quality equipment. Make sure your upgrade includes a weather-sealed camera and lens if you plan to shoot outdoors.
Additionally, you may want to change the type of lens you are using. Certain lenses work best in certain situations. Try manual lenses that allow you to control the focus and exposure if you are interested in landscape or night sky photography. Still, if you are shooting video, it might be time to upgrade to a cine lens. Cine lenses are superior to photo lenses for film work due to their ability to capture moving subjects and keep shots in focus without signs of any jitters. They also tend to be bulkier and more expensive.
Pro Tip: A camera with a touch screen is a definite game-changer. It is easier than using manual buttons to click around and is helpful for in-camera editing, such as focus stacking.
The main way you’ll know how to tell when it’s time to update your camera gear is by how long you’ve had it. Maybe you’ve had a piece of camera equipment for so long that it is showing signs of age. If your lens is scratched or locking up, it may be time to invest in a newer model. While you may have to dig into your savings account, high-end cameras last longer. Furthermore, you can save money by purchasing models that have been out on the market for a year or two.
You’ll know it’s time to update your camera gear if the manufacturer no longer makes the model you own. Your gear is either out of date or wasn’t popular, meaning you definitely deserve something new. If you ever have problems with your equipment, you want support to be able to assist you. This might not be possible if your equipment is out of date.
Sometimes, you want to update your camera equipment for the wrong reasons. It is tempting to want to buy something new each time you see the latest computers and lenses come out each year. You may want to consider if your gear suits your needs and what your motivation is for wanting a new piece of equipment before you buy.
Photography can be an expensive hobby. You don’t want to make a purchase that you might regret in the future. If you know that you aren’t going to use your camera regularly, upgrading might not be the best option at this time. Try getting regular use of the camera you already own to make sure you have the passion to justify the expense. Other reasons you shouldn’t update your camera gear include:
You won’t go broke with a Rokinon RF lens, which is specifically designed for Canon RF mounts. Our RF lenses come in a variety of wide-angle lens sizes. Rokinon high-performance AF lenses are an affordable option when you need to upgrade your equipment. Our AF lenses are faster and quieter and come with an array of capabilities. Whether or not you know for sure how to tell when it’s time to update your camera gear, you’ll be satisfied with a new piece of gear from a brand you can trust.
]]>Both types of lenses are necessary if you plan to do multiple types of photography, but which one you use depends on your situation. Read on to find out when to use which lens.
Believe it or not, many photographers prefer manual focus lenses. With a manual lens, you control what your camera focuses on rather than letting the lens technology decide. Filmmakers use manual lenses to bring the audience closer to their actors, especially in documentary work. In a chaotic scene, manual focus allows the photographer to pick out precisely what they want to highlight in the shot. Manual lenses are commonly the ideal choice for:
If you choose to use manual focus lenses, you will likely have to carry many of them around with you. Manual lenses come in sets because you must switch your lens depending on how far you are from your subject. You will find that manual lenses are also slower. Manual lenses have click stops at each aperture, which can cause shakiness when the light changes if you are using them to film.
Autofocus lenses come with many advancements and additional technologies, such as facial recognition and tracking, which allow the lens to pinpoint its subject. Many people prefer autofocus lenses for their apparent convenience. They make general photography much more straightforward and accessible and are often effective for photographing moving objects, such as:
AF lenses work best when the subject is against a contrasting background. They may fail in low-light situations since defining features are difficult for autofocus lenses to distinguish. Additionally, if a scene is busy or you are trying to focus on something far away, autofocus may not allow you to pinpoint what you want.
As you develop your photography skills and pursue your passion, you will eventually end up with all sorts of lenses. Eventually, you’ll know the difference between manual vs. autofocus lenses like the back of your hand and be able to switch between them like a pro. Add a Rokinon manual lens or another high-quality camera lens to your collection, and let us take your art to a professional level.
]]>The great thing about photo lenses is that they are versatile. You can take photos and make films with them. Photo lenses come in autofocus and manual, giving you a plethora of options when it comes to photography and filmmaking. Photo lenses tend to be smaller and weigh less than cinema lenses, meaning they are easier to carry around.
Photography lenses come with some limitations. If you are using manual lenses, you may have to carry around an entire set. Further, most manual lenses have click stops between aperture settings, which do not allow for a smooth transition between shots. While you can use autofocus lenses to make films, they do not produce as high-quality shots as cinema lenses. Photo lenses are a budget-friendly option for documentary filmmaking.
Most filmmakers prefer cinema lenses for their advanced features. A cinema lens has the superior ability to maintain focus on a subject while zooming—even if it is moving. Sturdy and durable enough to withstand most outdoor conditions, cinema lenses record continuous motion and have features that allow you to bypass many problems that occur with photo lenses. The great thing about Rokinon’s Cinema Lenses is the de-clicked aperture that allows for smooth video recording while changing how much light your lens intakes. This is a superior advantage over the manual lens which may allow for some jitter when changing the aperture during filming.
Some cinema lenses are heavier and bulkier than photography lenses. Due to the advanced features that make cinema lenses superior, most are more expensive than a manual or autofocus lens.
The differences between cinema lenses and photo lenses may not matter to you, depending on the type of project you’re tackling. Whether for your career or a hobby, filmmaking and photography require some investment. While there are many lenses to choose from, a Rokinon cine lens kit won’t break the bank. Our high-quality lenses fit the most popular camera brands, including Sony, Nikon, and Fuji mounts. There’s never been a better time to capture your dreams in focus.
]]>Filmmakers typically use cinema lenses in cinematography, but you can use photography lenses as well. While cinema lenses have advanced zoom features, they’re generally more expensive and bulkier than photo lenses. Some documentary filmmakers prefer photo lenses because they are easier to carry around and fit into their budgets.
Zoom lenses are most common in filmmaking because they are versatile. Cinematographers who use photo lenses prefer fast lenses because they have a better aperture and maintain the same brightness level as you zoom in and out. Manufacturers also offer a wide range of focal lengths—including macro zoom, which focuses on details the human eye can’t see—with a manual focus option that gives filmmakers more control.
While prime lenses do not zoom, they produce sharper images. In filmmaking, you can get the actor closer to the screen as it pulls more of the environment into the shot. Prime lenses come in wide-angle, standard, and telephoto.
Every photographer has a different preference when it comes to the type of lens they use for portraits. Some benefit from zoom lenses with a wide range of focal lengths that allow them to be far away from their subject. You might take photos of wildlife or a performance and need to keep your distance. Prime lenses offer that sharper image, but you may have to get closer to your subject or carry several lenses to switch them.
If your main interest is taking photos of landscapes or anything else in nature, you’ll have all your needs met with a zoom lens. With a zoom lens, you’ll have just one lens to tote around, and it’ll perform all the functions you need to capture the beauty of nature. Many high-end camera lenses come with an infinity focus setting that allows you to focus on objects at any distance. You might also be interested in macro zoom lenses for close-ups of unique sights in nature.
The most popular way to capture stars has been to change the shutter speed on your camera and adjust the ISO, but you still capture the stars’ tails. The trick to taking photos of the night sky is to use a fast lens with a better aperture. Since you’re working with dim light and the earth’s rotation, you need to maximize your camera’s exposure.
No one enjoys purchasing a new lens only to find out that it doesn’t fit their camera. Manufacturers make different lenses to fit specific mounts. Rokinon carries high-end camera lenses to fit seven different brands and 10 different camera models. Buy Rokinon lenses that will work for any photography or filmmaking project and keep this guide for how to choose the right camera lens nearby.
]]>Having a better understanding of your autofocus lens mechanics will give you the tools you need to take your photography game to the next level. Whether you have a lens you’re not sure how to use or you’re in the market for a new one, you’ll want to know whether it uses phase or contrast detection, as well as how many sensors it uses. Keep reading to get to know your camera.
The first autofocus camera was released in 1977 by Konica, with Polaroid releasing the first AF lens in 1978. Lens technology has advanced significantly since modern SLR and DSRL cameras were invented. Developing blurry photos is practically a problem of the past with autofocus lenses. Designed using periscopes developed for military strategy, AF lenses rely on dual points that aim toward the desired object to deliver a more accurate, or clear, shot.
Autofocus is an algorithm or system that takes the pressure off when you want a perfectly focused photo. With this software, your camera does all the work to figure out how to focus on the subject in your frame. The lens scans the scene and automatically identifies the subject on which to focus.
Autofocus lenses have two types of systems: active and passive. Passive is the standard and most efficient type of lens software, and it is used in DSLR and smartphone cameras. Using phase or contrast detection, the software uses mirrors or algorithms to compare a set of images and determine where they match up. This method tells the camera where to move the focusing ring, so you get a consistently clear photograph.
Phase detection tends to be better at tracking fast-moving subjects because the system works quicker. With phase detection, light bounces off mirrors that quickly adjust to keep the image in focus. Still, contrast detection uses algorithms that probe for edge detail, which can take longer in some cameras. It works best for high contrast photos, in which the algorithm scans the pixels in the camera’s sensor.
With the active system, the lens shoots a beam of red light at the subject which bounces back to the camera to inform the device of the object’s distance from the lens. The camera uses this information to adjust the lens and focus the image. This method is useful in dimly lit environments where standard (passive) autofocus is not working. A downside to active AF lenses is that you can only use them for stationary photography. Active autofocus is also best used for photographing subjects near you.
Sensors are one of the things that make autofocus lenses work. Manufacturers build AF lenses with auxiliary sensors that detect light coming from opposite sides of the lens. The number of sensors in a lens varies by model and by the number of autofocus points in the camera. Manufacturers place at least two sensors on each point, either horizontal, vertical, or cross-type. The quality of a lens’ autofocus improves with the quality of its sensors.
Your autofocus will work best if you are photographing something boldly different from its background. The autofocus function tends to give up when you take pictures of plain blue skies or blank walls. Typically, autofocus chooses to focus on the object in the middle of the frame and fades everything else into the background. Some AF lenses can pick out eyes and faces and choose to focus on these details. In general, autofocus gravitates toward edge detail, meaning the camera will bring the most striking features into focus.
With manual lenses, you must guess or measure the distance between you and your subject to make sure you’re using the right lens and adjusting the focus correctly. If someone moves, you might have to start all over again. Autofocus lenses give you more freedom to move around or allow your subject to move around without constantly messing with the lens. Filmmakers still prefer manual focus lenses, which work well in low-light situations. For instance, if you want to take photos of the night sky, you can manually alter the contrast and bring out light that your lens wouldn’t be able to pick up if using autofocus.
Whether you are an amateur photographer or seasoned at your craft, you will find times when autofocus lenses come in handy. Autofocus technology guarantees a clearer shot when you are photographing moving objects, and it is good at picking up edge detail. Portrait photographers, DIY bloggers, and landscape photographers use autofocus to get clear photos from the first click. Autofocus can prevent you from having to edit images later because the shot you took will appear focused and professional.
The internal focusing system quickly keeps up with the changes in light and distance to produce a sharp image when your subject is on the move. With an AF lens, you can avoid blur lines and streaks when taking photos of subjects in motion. Some incredible shots you could capture with an autofocus lens include:
Autofocus lenses are an essential part of any photographers’ toolkit, right along with camera bags and tripods. The second most important thing to finding a lens that works for your project is finding one that fits your mount. Whether you already know what autofocus lenses are and how they work or are beginning your photography journey, a Rokinon autofocus lens will make all your images look sharp and professional. Rokinon sells lenses for popular mounts manufactured by brands like Sony, Nikon, and Canon. Pay close attention to your camera’s model before choosing a lens that works for you.
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