An Introduction to Lens Concepts and Techniques
To take better photos, it helps to deepen your knowledge about lenses, how they work, and what they can do. Read these articles to find out more about different lenses and their characteristics, and about key lens-related techniques and concepts such as bokeh, deep focusing, and perspective.
Playlist
Articles
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Standard Lens Techniques: Using the Point of View to Draw the Viewer In
When attempting to convey a scene as you see it, an excellent way to do so would be by using a standard lens. A good idea would be to select a focal length of around 50mm at 35mm film-equivalent, which is close to the field of view of the naked eye.
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RF50mm f/1.8 STM vs. RF50mm f/1.2L USM: What’s the Difference?
Learn about what makes these lenses so popular and how they are different.
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Canon’s Longest Professional Super Telephoto Lenses Join the RF Lineup
Canon’s RF800mm f/5.6L IS USM and RF1200mm f/8L IS USM pack professional grade optics and build into smaller, more portable bodies, offering ultra-long reach with unprecedented mobility.
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Canon’s First Two RF-S Lenses Make Their Debut
Small and light with beautiful image quality, the new RF-S18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM and RF-S18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM are designed to combine the technological and optical benefits of the RF mount with the size and portability of an APS-C system.
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RF24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM: Fast, Wide, and Versatile
With its large f/1.8 aperture, wide and easy to handle angle of view, and relatively compact size, the RF24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM promises a greater range of creative expression when photographing your everyday.
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RF15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM: Get a Wider Perspective
Need a wider lens to take in more of every scene? Check out the small, light, and affordable RF15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM .
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RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM: A Handy Telephoto Zoom Made for APS-C
Weighing just 270g, the RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM is the ideal telephoto companion for those who want to keep their gear light.
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5 FAQs About the RF24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
Canon's smallest full-frame standard zoom lens is designed for creators who want to stay agile.
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RF100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM: Unprecedented Telephoto Versatility
A first-of-its-kind constant aperture zoom lens that revolutionises a much-revered classic telephoto prime.
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RF28mm f/2.8 STM: Pancake Portability
Thin and light, Canon’s first pancake RF prime lens offers portability and versatility with quality.
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RF10-20mm f/4L IS STM: The World’s Widest Non-Fisheye Zoom Lens
Achieve unprecedented coverage and stunning ultra-wide-angle perspectives.
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Macro Lens Techniques – Get Fresh, Appetising Pictures of Tarts & Pastries
A brilliant, mouth-watering pastry adds sparkle to any table. To capture such an image, I recommend getting a close up shot by using a macro lens. If you capture the beautiful gloss which varies with the light, you can make the shot shine and achieve a soft and bright finishing.
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5 Key Elements to Developing the RF10-20mm f/4L IS STM
The RF10-20mm f/4L IS STM lens developers share the essentials behind the lens development.
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7 Ways the RF-S10-18mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM Expands Your Expression
The small, lightweight, and ultra-wide-angle L329 will add unique perspective into your photos and videos.
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RF200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM: Canon’s First Telephoto Zoom to Reach 800mm
Zoom from 200mm to 800mm with the RF200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM, which provides an unprecedented focal range in one compact, lightweight body.
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RF24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z: Hybrid Extraordinaire
The RF24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z is the perfect lens for both photography and videography with its focal length and large aperture.
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The RF f/4L Zoom Trinity: A Professional Lens “Starter Kit”
Learn about this set of three professional lenses that combine portability, quality, and versatility.
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EF100mm vs. RF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM: Which to Choose?
Spoiler: EOS R camera system users should choose the RF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM.
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RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM: A New Versatile Standard
Canon’s light, compact new f/2.8 standard zoom lens makes workhorse specifications more accessible than ever.
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RF16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM: For Wider Possibilities
Enjoy greater versatility with Canon’s new f/2.8 constant aperture ultra-wide-angle zoom lens.
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RF50mm f/1.8 STM vs EF50mm f/1.8 STM: 6 Key Comparisons
Compares the RF50mm f/1.8 STM and EF50mm f/1.8 STM in terms of its external design, resolving power, bokeh quality, backlight performance, real world image stabilisation effect, and operability.
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Two Perfect EOS RP-RF Lens Walk-around Pairings to Tell Stories With
A lifestyle and street photographer shares her favourite pairings for walkarounds, as well as some quick tips.
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RF100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM & Two RF Extenders: A New Super Telephoto Era
Canon’s first L-series super telephoto zoom lens for the RF mount and two new extenders promise to make shooting distant subjects even more exciting.
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Lens Techniques: 4 Secrets to Mastering Your EF-S18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
The versatile EF-S18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM has a focal length range that is excellent for shooting a wide variety of scenes. Use it to your fullest advantage with these techniques.
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Telephoto Lens Techniques – Creating Multiple Layers of Bokeh
When you come upon an abundance of flowers blooming before you, you may feel like shooting a single flower up close, but how do you turn it into a great-looking photo that fully utilises the space around the flower as well? Using a telephoto lens, I will introduce a way to take photos featuring several layers of bokeh circles. (Report by: Sayaka Suzuki)
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Macro Lens Techniques: Brilliantly Capture the Sparkle in a Water Droplet
Learn how to incorporate a starburst into macro shots of water droplets.
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Super Telephoto Lens Techniques – Wildlife Silhouettes Against the Sun
Up your wildlife photography amp and get some tips for using your super telephoto lens to capture impressive shots of silhouettes of wild animals against a giant background sun.
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Macro Lens Techniques: Liven Up Your Underwater Photos with Foreground Bokeh Dots!
Macro lenses are often used for photographing small fish, but here is a technique for using them to take underwater shots with foreground bokeh.
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Lens Review: RF15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM in Landscape Photography
A landscape photographer shares why he thinks the RF15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM ultra-wide-angle lens is “UWA-some”.
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RF-S14-30mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ: Canon’s First RF Power Zoom Lens
Create dynamic videos with Canon’s first lens to feature a built-in power zoom.
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RF24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM: The Surreal World of Centre Focus Macro
Your RF24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM can achieve rather unique macro effects in manual focus mode. Learn about them!
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RF Lens – A New Era of Imaging
The EOS R system is Canon’s next evolution of EOS. At the heart of the EOS R system lies the 54mm large diameter RF mount. This revolutionary RF mount promises higher image quality – wider lens elements can be placed closer to the sensor, thus, reducing light refraction and aberrations.
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3 Steps for Capturing Impressive Close-ups of Athletes in Action
Sports portraits don’t necessarily have to be posed. Here’s how you can capture impressive, dramatic close-up portraits of an athlete in action—and make them look like studio shots.
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RF Lenses: Which One Suits Me?
Learn about each RF lens and find out which is the one that best suits your photography interest
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Expand Your Range of Shooting Possibilities with the All-New RF Lenses
Canon announced the launch of four new RF lenses for use with the newly developed RF mount — the core of Canon’s new EOS R System. The four lenses, built on the unique characteristics of the RF Series, comprised of Canon’s initial lens offering.
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10 Concepts to Know Before Buying Your Second Lens
Learn more about lenses so you can choose a better second lens.
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What’s the Difference Between RF-S and RF Lenses?
Explore the differences and how they make your picture different.
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RF Lenses vs EF Lenses: What's the Difference and How to Decide?
What is the difference between the RF and EF mount systems? Is it really worth buying an RF lens? Read on to find out.
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Lens Basics #9: Large Aperture Lenses
Large aperture lenses are also known as "bright" or "fast" lenses. Learn why photographers love them.
