The Lens: A Practical Guide for the Creative Photographer [Perfect Paperback]

NK Guy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2012

Which lens should I buy for my camera?

It's such a simple question, but choosing the right lens or lenses is actually one of the most important photographic decisions you can make. Nothing affects the quality of a photo more than the lens. It's no longer just about the megapixels-it's the glass that makes all the difference!

Many first-time buyers of DSLRs don't venture past the basic lens included in the box. While some are reluctant to spend more money, others are confused by all the buzzwords or are overwhelmed by all the choices out there. It's really a shame, because interchangeable lenses give you amazing scope for quality photography.

Take in vast sweeping scenes with a wide angle lens. Capture faraway birds with a telephoto lens. Examine the tiniest detail of a flower with a macro lens. Record the perfect portrait with a prime lens. Anything is possible when you choose the right lens for the job!

This book isn't a simple catalogue of available lenses. New products are coming out all the time, and comparing specific lenses can be difficult. Instead, author N.K. Guy gives you all the information you need to make smart buying decisions. Optical technology is demystified, arcane terminology is decoded, and practical tips are provided.

The Lens will help you build the perfect lens collection to suit your needs-now and in the future.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

NK Guy is a Canadian writer and photographer living in Britain. He specializes in travel photography and event portraiture, is the author of the Photographer's Dictionary and is the creator of PhotoNotes.org, a popular online resource for photographic education. He no longer lives aboard a barge on the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal in London, but wishes he still did because it makes for great book bio copy.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Rocky Nook; 1 edition (October 15, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933952970
• ISBN-13: 978-1933952970
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 1 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #167,844 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Writer. Photographer. Canadian.

My public website is http://photonotes.org, and it's where I post interesting updates and the like. Thanks for your interest in my work!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Maybe the Only Book You'll Need on the Subject November 15, 2012

By John Jacobson

Format:Perfect Paperback

This book appears to be a coffee table book. Full color photographs, expensive paper, text interspersed with photos on every page, Wide text margins. One might think the publisher was trying to stretch inadequate text and fill the remaining spaces with photos. Nothing could be further from the truth.

This is a serious book about a serious subject, the camera lens. Almost any topic that deals with the lens is covered in this book. Starting with a historical perspective, it then explores the wave action of light, explains in moderate detail the physics of lens, and then goes into a description of why most modern lens are compared to the lens of 35 mm cameras.

Aperture, F stop, lens elements, fast lens, slow lens, metering, mechanisms, the list goes on and on. Lens from different manufacturers are described, an explanation of why the "perfect" lens doesn't exist, matching the lens to the project, choosing the right lens letting your creativity free . . .

And it's not just the completeness of the presentation that beckons, the simple clarity of the text is a model for those who write of technical subjects for the amateur. The book is not likely to interest the professional or serious amateur, they'll already know most of the material. But for the beginner to middle level amateur, there is much here to study.

This is a very impressive book. If you love cameras, if you'd like good advice about choosing lens for your camera, if you'd just like to understand the relationship between aperture and focal length in composing pictures, and more, then this is a worthy addition to your collection. And maybe the coffee table isn't such a bad spot for this book, you'll be able to pick the book up regularly and learn a bit more about the camera eye view of the world.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading for a wide range of photographers November 20, 2012

By Foti Massimo

Format:Perfect Paperback

I am an amateur photographer, with a strong inclination for technology (due also to my real-life job as a computer programmer). As such I tend to spend a lot of time investigating photo gear, especially lens. I had a pleasant experience reading the book even if, looking back, I have to admit I hardly learned anything new (apart maybe for the chapter on MTF). But I honestly wish I've read this book a few years ago.
In other words, there is nothing here you can't learn spending a significant amount of time on the web. Yet the book provides a very useful and well balanced amount info inside a nice package. I think it would be worth reading for a wide range of photographers, not only beginners, but also seasoned veterans that often don't spend too much time investigating lens (because, unlike me, who spend too much time on gear, they are busy taking great pictures).
Bottom line, the book can help you save an outrageous amount of time and even some significant amount of money. Since lens aren't cheap and a bad choice can badly affect your wallet.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll definitely want this book January 7, 2013

By KT

Format:Perfect Paperback

The lens is easily the single most complicated piece of equipment in any photographer's arsenal. Yet even some accomplished photographers find it hard to grasp all the intricacies and nuances and camera lens hows and whys. That's where this book comes in. Whether you want to learn, need a refresher, are buying this book for a novice photographer, or just want a handy, thorough reference, pick up The Lens. At Amazon's price it's a steal.

And even if you do know everything there is to know about lenses and optics, the photography in this book is awesome.

Can't recommend it highly enough.