Fotografielenzen

Fotografielenzen are optical devices attached to cameras to control the passage of light and to form images on a sensor or film. They are defined by focal length, maximum aperture, optical design, and construction, and they come in many varieties chosen to suit different photographic tasks.

Focal length and field of view are central to lens classification. Wide-angle lenses have short focal lengths and produce broad scenes, standard lenses offer a natural perspective, and telephoto lenses use long focal lengths to magnify distant subjects. Zoom lenses cover a range of focal lengths, while prime lenses have a single focal length and are often prized for image quality and wide maximum apertures. The effective field of view can also be influenced by the sensor format, such as full-frame, APS-C, or micro four thirds, which changes the practical focal length through crop factors.

Aperture, measured in f-stops, determines light intake and depth of field. Lenses with larger maximum apertures (smaller f-number) collect more light and create shallower depth of field, while smaller apertures increase depth of field. Modern lenses may include features such as image stabilization, fast and silent autofocus motors, weather sealing, and specialized coatings to reduce flare and chromatic aberration. Optical design often uses aspherical elements and low-dispersion glass to improve sharpness and contrast across the frame.

Lenses must be compatible with camera mounts, which vary by brand and system (for example, Canon, Nikon, Sony, or Micro Four Thirds). Some systems allow adapters to use different mounts, but with potential limitations. Practical lens choice depends on the camera system, subject matter, lighting, and desired balance of sharpness, bokeh, and portability.