Hi- I am looking at digital cameras online and am trying to upgrade from my point and shoot digital camera. I am a novice and I am confused about zoom lenses when listed as 18 to 55mm zoom...what does that translate to in how they are normally listed on a digital camera (3x, 5x, 12x etc) THANKS A MILLION!
2006-06-10 03:02:44 · 2 answers · asked by Amy A 2 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cameras
If it's 18-55mm on a compact camera, then it goes from ultra wide to normal. It also means that it's a 3x zoom lens (55/18=3) The 3x 5x 10x that you see on compact cameras only tells you HOW MUCH it zooms - not where the zoom range starts or ends.
If you're talking about an 18-55mm lens for a digital SLR (I think 18-55mm is the kit lens with the Nikon D50), you have to multiply those numbers by the focal length multiplier of you particular camera. With all Nikons, that's 1.5. With some Canons it's 1.3 or 1.6. Supposing 1.5 (Nikon), the lens would work AS THOUGH it were a 27-83mm lens on a film camera. That means that it goes from wide angle to moderate tele. It won't do ultra wide and it wont do extreme close ups. For a digital SLR, it's perfect for about 70% of your shots. Most people have a lens with that range and a second zoom in the 70-200mm range.
Hope that wasn't too technical. For more info, feel free to send an email.
2006-06-10 04:45:14 · answer #1 · answered by OMG, I ♥ PONIES!!1 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
18-55 is just under a 3x zoom...an 18-57 would be 3x...18-90 would be 5x....18-216 would be 12x (you are very unlikely to be able to afford that, even if anyone makes 1). Think about investing in a camera with interchangable lens capability, then you will have more options for the future
happy snapping
2006-06-10 11:48:37 · answer #2 · answered by daemon.1952 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋