Basics.Photography


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Venus Optics Laowa Lens Codes

Laowa lenss use various codes in their names to denote compatibility or particular features. Here’s how to make sense of them.

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Pentax Lens Codes

Pentax has used a bunch of codes in naming their camera lenses over the years. So what do they all mean? Here’s a guide.

What is a Prime Lens?

You might have heard recommendations that if you want the fastest and sharpest lenses you should use prime lenses. So what is a prime lens?

Fishermen on Galata Bridge Istanbul

What is a Fast Lens?

Get to grips with fast lenses–what they are, how they work and why they’re so popular among photographers. Learn what defines a fast lens, the benefits of shooting with one, and good lenses to start with. Plus, discover some lens gotchas to watch out for.

Rockinon 12mm Manual Focus Wide-angle Lens for Nikon F-mount. Photo by David Coleman - havecamerawilltravel.com

Rokinon Lens Codes

The names of Rokinon lenses include special codes to indicate compatibility and features. Here’s how to make sense of them.

Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens. Photo by David Coleman - havecamerawilltravel.com

Sony Lens Codes Explained

Sony uses a bunch of confusing codes in naming their camera lenses. Here’s how to make sense of them.

Tiffen Professional Series 9 Clear Filter

What are Series-Size Filters?

You don’t come across series-size filters much anymore, but if you’re using a vintage manual-focus lens, you might run into them.

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Zeiss Lens Codes Guide

Zeiss uses a bunch of codes and distinctive names n naming their camera lenses over the years. So what do they all mean? Here’s a guide.

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Tokina Lens Codes Guide

Tokina uses a bunch of codes in naming their camera lenses. So what do they all mean? Here’s a guide.

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Tamron Lens Codes Guide

Tamron uses a bunch of codes in naming their camera lenses. So what do they all mean? Here’s a guide.

Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Prime Lens

Sigma Lens Codes Guide

Sigma uses a bunch of different codes in naming their camera lenses. Here’s an explanation of what they mean.

Fujifilm XF 50mm f1.0 R WR Lens. Photo by David Coleman " havecamerawilltravel.com

Fujifilm Lens Codes

Fujifilm uses a bunch of different codes in naming their camera lenses. Here’s how to make sense of them.

Nikon Nikkor 80-400mm lens

Nikon Lens Codes

Nikon uses a bunch of different codes in naming their lenses. Here’s how to make sense of them.

Canon EOS Rebel T7. Photo by David Coleman " havecamerawilltravel.com

Canon Lens Codes Guide

Canon uses a bunch of different codes in naming their lenses. Here’s how to make sense of them.

Native vs Extended ISO

Native vs Extended ISO Range Explained

Many digital cameras these days come with impressive ISO ranges. But if you look at the specs more closely, they’ll often break it down into native ISO and extended ISO. Here’s an explanation of what that means.

Focal Plane Mark Camera

What is a Camera’s Focal Plane Mark?

Wondering what that odd, tiny mark you often see on the top of cameras is? It’s shown as a circle with a line through it. It’s the focal plane mark. Here’s what it’s used for.

Camera Hot Shoe

What is a Camera’s Hot Shoe?

Discover what the hot shoe on your camera does and find accessories to fit in it. From a physical mounting point to electrical connection, explore the basics of the hot shoe and why a cover is helpful to protect it.

Online Photography Courses

Best Online Photography Classes & Courses

Whether you’re looking to brush up, dive deeper, or learn a new photographic skill, here’s a roundup of some of the best online classes and courses for photographers.

sun flare through viewfinder

Keeping the Wrong Kind of Light Out of the Camera

We expect light to come in the front of the camera. Shooting with the lens cap on doesn’t tend to work so well. But we don’t always expect it to come in the back. Here’s a real-world example of light leak through the viewfinder.