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07/26/2006 09:38:49 AM · #1 |
I know this is a stupid question. I almost don't want to even ask it.
But whats the point of buying lenses if your camera already has the main function of the lense? Example...why would i get an f2.8 lens if my camera already has the ability to go to an f2.8? |
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07/26/2006 09:54:39 AM · #2 |
I'm not certain I understand. What I think you're asking is, if the camera is capable of using F/2.8, why do I have to buy a lens that is F/2.8?
The answer is, not all lenses can reach F/2.8 - many are limited to smaller F-stops, such as F/3.5 of F/4. The larger F-stops, like F/2.8, are faster and require more design in the lens, and are therefore more expensive.
Lenses with a minimum of F/3.5, for example, cannot open up to F/2.8, even though the camera is capable of such a setting.
If I am totally off-base here, please let me know. I suspect that I am...
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07/26/2006 09:57:51 AM · #3 |
aperature is set inside the lens, not the camera
meaning the camera isn't "capable" of anything except telling the lens what to do. So a 2.8 lens can be told to open to 2.8, but an f4 lens can only be told to open up to f4. |
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07/26/2006 10:12:31 AM · #4 |
| Okay..maybe I should clarify. I currently do not have an external lens on my camera. I just have my camera, thats it. I was looking at external lenses to buy. My camera by itself is capable of opening from 8.0 to 2.7 (although most settings only allow me to get down to a 3.5). My question is. If i can manipulate the settings to get my normal camera lens open to (lets say) 3.5. Why would I be an external lens with f3.5? |
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07/26/2006 10:17:17 AM · #5 |
I would have to assume that the external lens, operating at the same F-stop, would have a different focal length - meaning that it would either be a wide angle attachment, or a telephoto attachment. These would alter the range of photos you would be able to take.
We are talking about your Powershot S2, right? I'm not overly familier with that series, but I have heard that there are additional lens attachments that go on overtop of the mounted, built-in lens. That's what we're talking about, right?
Message edited by author 2006-07-26 10:18:36.
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07/26/2006 10:17:56 AM · #6 |
I think that the only lenses you could get for the S2 are ones that mount in front of the built-in one. These would be either a telephoto adapter or a wide angle adapter, not one of the lenses intended for use on an SLR.
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07/26/2006 10:19:14 AM · #7 |
why would you be?
do you mean why would you buy?
I think you're confusing attachment lenses with SLR lenses. An attachment lens just screws onto the threads of your camera and has no aperature setting at all. A point-n-shoot digital camera will not accept SLR lenses of any kind.
Originally posted by albc28:
Why would I be an external lens with f3.5? |
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07/26/2006 10:47:12 AM · #8 |
| Okay that explains alot. And yeah I meant attachment lenses. Sorry for the confusion. |
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