Digital Photography Technology

What is a standard lens? A standard lens or prime is a 50mm focal length lens when used with a 35mm camera. It is called a standard or prime lens because before zoom lenses became popular, this lens is what always came with a new camera.

The standard lens has approximately the same angle of view as what a person sees. This makes photographing a scene easier as what you see is what you get.

Standard lenses are easier to design as there is less glass as compared to a zoom. Less glass makes the lens lighter and less complex

A lens of this type is also pin point sharp due to its simple design.

Lens opening or speed is the next advantage, as a f/1.4 or a f/1.2 are readily available.

Taking pictures with a standard lens becomes less complex. Low light conditions become more manageable as a flash does not become as necessary. No zoom adjustment lets you take a picture when time is of the essence.

Now that you have learned about standard lenses, try one. All of the great photographers of our time never used the complex lenses that we now have. Keep it simple. The less camera adjusting that is required to take a pictures lets you concentrate on taking the picture.