Are lenses a must?

[mrstravis]

I am new to photography and am currently using a Nikon Coolpix L120. It is a great camera and I absolutely love it. However, it does not have the option of other lenses. It says that it zooms to 525mm. I have gotten what I consider to be great shots from far away so I assume that this is correct. My question is, for great pictures, especially during photo shoots (which I would like to get into), are interchangeable lenses necessary? That seems to be what everyone on the forum is using. HELP!!

 

[Kerbouchard]

Since most of us use DSLR's, with a larger sensor than your Coolpix, yes, interchangable lenses are a must.

See, there is no such thing as a 16-525mm zoom lens on a DSLR. Even if there was, it would require a trailer to carry it around and the optical quality would be horrible. Too many design compromises on a lens that is designed to do everything.

Part of the reason a DSLR, in general, takes better pictures than a P&S is that the DSLR, is likely to have the best lens on it for the current situation, while a P&S has a lens that was chosen and designed at the factory to do a little of everything.

 

[Malone]

It really depends on what you are wanting to get out of photography. P&S cameras (esp higher end cameras) can take great snap shots. But, when you want to get more into creative photography, or less than ideal settings, you will definitely benefit from an SLR camera.

If you are wanting to do photo shoots, you will likely want to upgrade your camera. Here is a link that briefly discusses the differences between P&S cameras and DSLRs.

Compact vs. Digital SLR Cameras

There also a lot of useful information in the other tutorials.

 

[ulrichsd]

An SLR is going to be a lot more versatile. Not sure what options are on a Coolpix, but some things that might not be available: manual focus, wider aperture range, larger sensor, wider/longer lens options, low light capability (larger sensor and faster lens), external flash/off camera flash.

I'm sure fixed lens cameras are getting better, but there will always be limitations. Whether or not you need these extra options is up to you.

 

[Dao]

If you are serious about photography, it make more sense to go with a SLR/DSLR or camera that allow you to change lens over the point and shoot type camera.

Two big reasons:
1. Larger recording medium. At this moment, the size of a 35mm film (medium and large format film as well) or digital sensor on DSLR is larger than the point and shoot camera (There are exceptions). Larger the recording medium, more details the final image. Also, with a larger recording medium, it is easier to create a image with a shallower Depth of field. In order words, it is easier to separate the subject from the background by blurring the background. (Photo shoot? Of course, it is better to use a lens that is good for this purpose)

2. Able to change lens. Optical performance usually better if the lens only cover shorter range of focal length. And most (not all) of the point and shoot camera cover a wider range of focal lengths. For example, your camera's focal length range is 4.5-94.5mm (angle of view equivalent to that of 25-525mm lens in 35mm). That is quite wide. And it is very hard or quite impossible to make optics to perform the best at all the focal length. So image quality is not going to be as good as the camera that lens covers shorter range of focal length or even a fix focal length.

 

[Kbarredo]

yes they are a must. Compact cameras sacrifice quality for those extreme focal lengths. Why do you think people love prime lenses. Its like this, would you rather have a lens that is mediocre at all focal lengths or multiple lenses that are great at their fixed focal lengths.

 

[enzodm]

... however, if you do not recognise the limitations of your camera, feel free to continue using it. Nothing is really a must unless you personally need it .

 

[Kbarredo]

... however, if you do not recognise the limitations of your camera, feel free to continue using it. Nothing is really a must unless you personally need it .

True true. Although with anyone who falls in love with photography they eventually will figure out their limitations.

 

[Village Idiot]

Also, is the 525 with digital zoom? A lot of P&S cameras use optical and digital zoom. Where optical zoom is a product of the lens, digital zoom actually zooms in on the image and doesn't use optics. This causes a loss of quality.

 

[mfo]

I am new to photography and am currently using a Nikon Coolpix L120. It is a great camera and I absolutely love it. However, it does not have the option of other lenses. It says that it zooms to 525mm. I have gotten what I consider to be great shots from far away so I assume that this is correct. My question is, for great pictures, especially during photo shoots (which I would like to get into), are interchangeable lenses necessary? That seems to be what everyone on the forum is using. HELP!!

Yes.

 

[KmH]

are interchangeable lenses necessary?

Necessary? No! Great photographs are more about photographer skill, knowledge, and use of light than what camera/lens was used.

Desireable? Absolutely! Lens interchangability is one of the primary advantages a DSLR has over a P&S and Bridge cameras.

I have 14 lenses that cover 8 mm to 600 mm. Some are zoom lenses and some are prime lenses.

 

[mrstravis]

Thank you all for the advice. I went with the coolpix because it was the cheaper alternative to a dslr and I wanted to figure out if I was going to like photography or not. I enjoyed taking pictures of my son during random moments and events but I was not sure if I would like photography. I also felt as though having to carry around and change multiple lenses would cause me to lose a pic. I think that I need to get better with my photography and before I spend that much mney on a camera, especially if I decide not to make this anything more than a hobby. The idea of photo shoots intrigues me. Excites me. I even had my boyfriend and my son put on nice clothes, I hung a comforter over a door and made them pose while I snapped pics. LOL, lame I know, but I had to determine if I would like it. My ultimate fear is doing a photo shoot and the client hating the pics.

 

[mrstravis]

are interchangeable lenses necessary?

Necessary? No! Great photographs are more about photographer skill, knowledge, and use of light than what camera/lens was used.

Desireable? Absolutely! Lens interchangability is one of the primary advantages a DSLR has over a P&S and Bridge cameras.

I have 14 lenses that cover 8 mm to 600 mm. Some are zoom lenses and some are prime lenses.

Thats part of the reason that I didn't want a dslr, having to tote around and change those lenses. They are probably great for photo shoots but when I am just walking around the park snapping pics, nature won't stop for me to change my lens.

 

[spacefuzz]

are interchangeable lenses necessary?

Necessary? No! Great photographs are more about photographer skill, knowledge, and use of light than what camera/lens was used.

Desireable? Absolutely! Lens interchangability is one of the primary advantages a DSLR has over a P&S and Bridge cameras..

I have 14 lenses that cover 8 mm to 600 mm. Some are zoom lenses and some are prime lenses.

Thats part of the reason that I didn't want a dslr, having to tote around and change those lenses. They are probably great for photo shoots but when I am just walking around the park snapping pics, nature won't stop for me to change my lens.

Many DSLRs come with a kit lens, such as an 18-105 which is a great walking around type lens. So depending on what you shoot, you dont have to carry all your lenses with you / be constantly changing them. I have 7 lenses, but my last photo trip I only needed to bring 2.

 

[mrstravis]

Necessary? No! Great photographs are more about photographer skill, knowledge, and use of light than what camera/lens was used.

Desireable? Absolutely! Lens interchangability is one of the primary advantages a DSLR has over a P&S and Bridge cameras..

I have 14 lenses that cover 8 mm to 600 mm. Some are zoom lenses and some are prime lenses.

Thats part of the reason that I didn't want a dslr, having to tote around and change those lenses. They are probably great for photo shoots but when I am just walking around the park snapping pics, nature won't stop for me to change my lens.

Many DSLRs come with a kit lens, such as an 18-105 which is a great walking around type lens. So depending on what you shoot, you dont have to carry all your lenses with you / be constantly changing them. I have 7 lenses, but my last photo trip I only needed to bring 2.

Ok, I did research cameras online before I purchased my coolpix but I didn't understand half of the lingo. So I then tried to research the lingo but that became confusing and frustrating so I stopped researching altogether. I am glad that I joined this forum because I am learning so much.