What is the basic lens of photography?

What is the basic lens of photography? This is a five-year question with nearly 50 answers, but it has reappeared. I think this is a very good question. Needless to say, a camera without a lens is very useless, isn't it? Therefore, I respectfully suggest that you consider buying a camera with a "kit" lens and a small 3x zoom lens. They are often belittled, but I don't understand why; I still use mine now, because it is small, light and unobtrusive. No matter what you have read, it is not terrible. Most importantly, it allows you to start using your new camera right out of the box.

For a long time, cameras have a basic lens, which is usually in the so-called "normal" range, and its viewing angle is generally visible to the human eye, that is, it does not include peripheral vision. The focal length of an ordinary lens is roughly equivalent to the diagonal of a frame. The viewing angle is about 50 degrees.

More than 60 years ago, I was fascinated by photography. I started with a double-lens reflex, most of which have a fixed focal length of 80mm, and there is a similar viewfinder on it, just like an upside-down shotgun.

80mm is the "normal" focal length of 6x6cm camera, because the diagonal of 6x6 frame is about 80mm ... When I started shooting with Hasselblad, they had an 80mm lens. I have photographed hundreds of weddings, the most basic 80.

1965 bought a 35mm yashicatel, which is an imitation of Spotmatic of Pindar Pintas, using the same 42mm screw lens.

My camera is equipped with "Beautiful 50" f/1.9, with built-in metering system. According to the diagonal measurement format, 50mm is still considered as "normal" for a 35mm (36x24mm frame) full frame.

But the normal focal length is not suitable for everything, especially portraits. If you take a close-up of your head, perspective distortion will occur (not related to the lens, but too close) because the lens is closer to the nose and ears of the subject.

This explains the long-term trend of modern digital cameras, that is, to provide consumers with zoom at least 1.3 times. People who buy crop sensor cameras can buy a 18-55mm 3X "kit" zoom package, which is equivalent to a full-frame 27-83. The old reliable "normal" focal length is about the middle. 27 or equivalent to a slight wide angle. A focal length of about 80 is a good head focal length, because you can take a close-up if you stand far enough; This seems to bring the nose and ears closer to the normal relationship.

I often go out with only my Sony A6300 body and 16-50mm small lens. Automatic pancakes when not in use. If I take off the after-sales sun visor, this device will be as small as any harmless fool camera. I don't shoot "street", but if I do, this will be my choice. Yes, it is slow. Yes, it has distortion problems, but I run all the lenses in Lightroom, and it has good lens correction for all my lenses. I never worry about the deformation of the needle cylinder or needle pad.

If you are a beginner and don't know where to start, I suggest starting with a short toolkit extension. It will get you used to the camera and quickly show you the limitations of the lens. You will know what you want to shoot and why the lens is not enough. It is too short for wild animals. It's not wide enough to be a landscape (maybe). You need to take a lot of photos with it, so that you can know what you like to do best, so that you can choose your next shot wisely.