Customer Reviews

David Busch's Quick Snap Guide to Using Digital SLR Lenses

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was a revelation for me! I purchased a fairly advanced digital SLR without having a lot of experience, and have been struggling with learning all the nuances of photography and the equipment used. Lenses have been one of the biggest puzzles. What lenses should I get? Why does one 70-200mm lens cost $300 while another one costs $1700? How do I choose among telephotos and wide angle lenses? This book answers all those questions, and a lot more.

It's arranged in two page and four page layouts, with each set of pages dealing with a specific aspect of selecting or working with lenses. There are chapters on improving the quality of your results with any lens, using filters, and the correct use of every lens control. I learned about "bokeh," depth-of-field, perspective, and how to shoot great close-up pictures with the lenses I already have.

I'm glad that there is a book that takes just one aspect of digital photography and goes into it in detail. This is a wonderful resource for anyone who has purchased a digital SLR camera and now needs to know how to go the next step with lenses.

This is my first "Quick Snap Guide" and I have found it extremely well-organized and informative. It goes into just enough depth, not technical, but thorough and well-explained both in the text and in the many well-captioned photographs and illustrations. Not only does it describe each type of lens (its function, design, strength, and limitations) but it goes into detail about how the size and type of lens is a factor--but only one factor--for the qualities you might want in your photographs. So, for example, depending on the depth of field you want, you choose a certain type and size of lens, and then a certain aperture and shutter speed combination. The relationship between your choice of f stop, your ISO, your shutter speed, and available light are all as important as your choice of lens. So, with relatively few lenses you can cover just about any effect and any type of photograph.

It should be noted that this book is aimed at owners on non-pro digital slr's (in other words, owners of cameras which don't have a full 35mm sensor) since, in his recommendations and guidelines for the lenses are already based on a multiplier of 1.5 or 1.6. This takes some adapting for those of us used to taking a lens labeled 50mm and automatically thinking of it as a 75mm lens, or that if we want 50mm we have to buy a lens marked 35mm. There is no need to do that, it is already factored in, which threw me at first.

Lenses are also explained: their construction; all the little markings, scales, buttons, and controls usually found on lenses; filter types, uses, and threads; tripods; zoom and prime types and the benefits of each; optional controls such as vibration reduction; optional attachments for lenses such as adapters, close-up attachments, extension tubes, and bellows--regardless of manufacturer, if it has anything to do with lenses, it's here.

Photography pointers are also given, both general in nature and specifically related to lenses. You will want to know general tips on how to get good bokeh (and what lens qualities contribute to it); how to avoid lens flare (which lenses are most likely to have it); what general camera settings are the most likely combinations when you want a specific feel; types of focusing; types of optical aberrations (chromatic, vignetting, barrel & pincushion distortions and what you can do about them); the difference between DX and FX lenses and crop factors (multipliers) of non-pro digital cameras.

Really, almost everything is here. I say "almost" because there are a couple of things I would have found useful that weren't here. Speaking generally, I would have welcomed side-by-side comparison pictures in which the same scene was photographed with different lenses to give an even better feel of the strengths and limitations of different focal lengths. Yes, each focal length is illustrated in its own section, but not directly compared to other options. Speaking specifically for my needs, I would have welcomed a bit of information on which lenses would be best for photographing geometric subjects with strong edges (such as architecture, and two-dimensional artwork such as a painting), both of which are difficult to get "square". Portraits, sports, landscapes, closeups, candids, etc., are all well-covered, but no mention of architectural photography. From my own experience, I find a zoom lens with a focal length between 28mm and maybe 45mm (figuring full-frame) to give the best result, but I would have loved to have some professional guidance on the subject because my observations are hit-and-miss.

On the whole, however, the book is outstanding. It is clear and pleasant reading as well as a well-indexed reference source. Not only is this book a definite keeper, I plan to get other David Busch books as well based on this experience, starting with his "Quick Snap Guide to Photo Gear".

This is exactly what I have been looking for. I am not new to photography, but I have been away from it for a long time. I needed a refresher course on a few things and this was it. It did not go in to long drawn out descriptions, but had just the right amount of information.

Excellent book. Well written and easy to understand. Being a beginner in the area of digital SLR's, this book gave me the information I need to understand the different types of lenses and what to look for when I buy new ones. The information in this book makes it easy to determine which lens to use for which purpose. My photography has improved greatly after reading this book.

A good basic guide to using lenses a must for any novice photographer. Well explained in a simple to understand manner. Busch is a good author on photography and is well worth reading.

I really love this book. I have learned more in 2 days of reading this than I have in the past 2 semesters in Photography class. This book, simply and easily explains lens, controls and features, filters and attachments, image quality, and the different types of lens like telephoto, wide-angle and macro. He explains what the lenses can do, how to choose, when to use which lens, etc. I am highly satisfied.

My only complaint is that a link in the book for [...]is incorrect. I cannot fin the chart.gif on the website he refers me to in the book. I have looked on his website also.

I just finished reading this great book on lenses. I feel it taught me what to look for when buying lenses and how to get the most for my money. Excellent book for beginners. I have several of Mr. David Busch's book and find them all extremely useful for learning about digital photography.

Good book for new photographers especially at this price.I didn't think I would like it. I actually ordered it by accident.

Almost everything written by David Busch is outstanding and this book is no exception, the book is very informative a would easyly recommend.