The whole camera lens thingy?

Question

I'm looking for a new camera and camera lens. How do I know what lens goes with what camera? I would like to do close up of flowers and bugs, what lens can do that?

Ex lens: http://www.amazon.com/18-50mm-F3-5-5-6-Lens-Digital-521-306/dp/B0002CPFUG/ref=sr_1_2/103-9640635-1814233?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1187922464&sr=1-2

Answer 1

you need something that has a Macro. What your are looking at right now is a wide angle to normal lens. While this lens should have a macro feature it is not specific to shooting small things like bugs. You can do this, but you will not get as close as if you had a macro lens.

They do make them and are usually 50mm. However 50mm macro lenses are more expensive because of their specific purpous.

You can get a macro feature on other lenses for less money but you will not get good results.

Macro filters and attachments are also a good choice if you are on a budget.

Answer 2

Since you are interested in lenses its obvious you are looking for a DSLR since they offer interchangeable lenses. If you only buy lenses offered by the camera manufacturer you won't have to worry about the mount.

All the photography magazines publish a Buyer's Guide. It will be very helpful to you to get a copy and compare the different brands and models. You can probably access the one by Shutterbug magazine by going to shutterbug.com.

Since you want to take close-ups of flowers and bugs you'll need a true macro lens. Most zooms use the word "macro" in their description. They will usually give you a 1:4 or 1/4 life-size image. A true macro, which is designed for maximum sharpness at close focusing distances, will give you a 1:2 1/2 life size or 1:1 which is life size. So if you photograph a bug 1/2 inch long at 1:1 it will be 1/2 inch on your sensor.

All the camera manufacturers offer macro lenses, as do several others such as Tamron, Sigma, and Tokina. Just be sure to order it in your camera mount.

Answer 3

start reading every article you can