If I have a Sony Digital Camera, do I have to use only Sony lenses?

Question

And like I know the numbers for the lens... but I'm not quite sure what they mean.

Answer 1

If you have a Sony A100 then any Minolta AF lens made since 1985 will mount to it. You can buy an adaptor to use the older MC/MD manual focus lenses.

Lenses are classified as ultra wide angle, wide angle, normal, short telephoto and long telephoto.

7.5mm to 24mm are ultra wide angle

28mm to 45mm* are wide angle

45mm* to 58mm are considered normal lenses since they approximate the angle of view of the human eye

85mm to 135mm are considered short telephoto lenses

200mm to 1,000mm are considered long telephotos

*Some people consider the 45mm as a short normal lens, some consider it a wide angle.