Posts Tagged ‘Interchangeable Lenses’

If you have an interchangeable lens camera, such as a DSLR or CSC, then you're probably aware that the ability to use a range of different lenses with your camera can be very useful. You should also be aware that you can't mix and match lenses designed for different camera mounts. You can't use a Nikon lens on a Canon camera and vice-versa.

However, this is not actually always the case. A lens mount adapter can allow you to use your camera with lenses that have a different mount. It can even allow you to use lenses that aren't designed for use with cameras at all.

In this article we'll look at Lens mount adapters. Why you might want to use one, the different types you can find, compatibility issues, and potential problems they can have.

If you are considering purchasing a camera that accepts interchangeable lenses, you need to be aware of compatibility issues. Buying a camera and lens and then finding they don't work properly together could be quite annoying.

It is also important to remember that when you buy into a camera that offers interchangeable lenses, you are buying into a system. So you need to consider carefully the range of lenses available in that system.

In this article we'll look at the different compatibility issues you might come across, and also how some cameras can be used with a wider range of lenses via adapters.

Most compact cameras come fitted with built-in zoom lenses, and interchangeable lens cameras often come with a zoom lens bundled as part of the package. So what are the advantages of zoom lenses, and are there any potential problems to look out for?

This article is part of a series on the various different types of cameras available today.

DSLRs

DSLR stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex. The 'Single Lens' part of the name refers to the fact that the viewfinder looks through the same lens that is used to take the photo (as opposed to a TLR).

The 'Reflex' part of the name meanwhile, refers to the mirror that is used to reflect the light up into the camera's viewfinder. (Actually, the light is reflected up into a pentaprism, which then reflects the light into the viewfinder - the pentaprism is what causes the viewfinder hump on DSLR bodies).

Normally the mirror is in front of the camera's sensor, but when you press the shutter button the mirror flips up out of the way, so that the sensor can be exposed. When this happens, no light can be reflected into the viewfinder, which is known as viewfinder blackout.