INTRODUCTION
I came across this book in a used bookstore a few months back, and without much hesitation, I managed to get it at a really good price of just $5. At such a price, who will complain anything about this book?
‘The Lens Book’ was written by Roger Hicks and Frances Schultz, and published back in 1994. So that is about 8 years ago now. There must be a lot of changes from then to now. But I guess not. Photography equipments are never the same as our computer, when a month different might be a leap in performances. I will not deny that the new lenses available to us now is definitely an improvement over lenses available 8 years ago, price is more competitive and design is somehow improved. But the concept of lenses remains unchanged and in fact for more than a century, the use of optic remains unchanged to provide an interface between the subject and the camera and the films.
This book will provide a good start for anyone who wants to know more about lenses. It contains lots of information about lenses of any kinds.
DESCRIPTION AND CONTENTS
‘The Lens Book’ came in paperback version, slightly larger than a B5 size paper.
It consists of 160 pages and the contents in the books is as follows
01) What sort of Photographer are you?
02) Some Optical Facts of Life
03) Getting the Most from your Lenses
04) Zooms
05) Wide-Angles
06) Long-focus & Telephoto Lenses
07) Special Purpose Lenses
08) Lens Outfits
There are many pictures of illustrations in the book that make understanding easier.
BOOK REVIEW
CHAPTER 1
At the start of this book, it addresses the type of photographer you are. This chapter was written very objectively on a main points like,
01) What Do You Want To Shoot?
02) How Important Photography To You?
03) What Lens Are Available For You Camera?
04) Should You Change Your System?
05) What Do You Want To Do With The Pictures?
06) What Can You Afford?
All above-mentioned topics are usually the ones that we ponder over and over again, not only when we are new to photography, but also with professional photographer. Although there are no right or wrong with the decision make on the above-mentioned topics, but it does served as a good guide.
CHAPTER 2
Coming next immediately in Chapter 2 is the very important topic on Optical Facts. It was very much simplified for easy understanding. I have let many new members of my photography clubs to read and understand this topic before going further. It does serve its intends well. Main topics covered in this chapters includes the followings,
01) Telephoto & Reverse-Telephoto Designs
02) Zooms
03) Optical Designs
04) Lens Coatings
05) Build Quality
06) Materials
07) Resolution
08) Contrast
09) Flare and Ghosting
10) Field Curvature
11) Illumination
This whole chapter will cover nearly all the common items we should look for in lenses. We should be aware that Lenses is the heart of the pictures you took, so knowing more about the elements in lens design will no doubt beneficial.
CHAPTER 3
Next is the chapter on Getting the MOST from your Lenses. It is useless even if you have the best lenses in the world if you don’t know how to make full use of it. Areas of discussion includes,
01) Use a Tripod
02) Use the Optimum Aperture
03) Use the Optimum Shutter Speed
04) Focus Carefully
05) The Advantages (Or Otherwise) of Autofocus
06) ’Marque’ Lenses and Independents
07) New Lenses Vs Second Hand
08) Repolishing & Recoating
09) Adapters and Conversions
Techniques taught are mainly on getting sharp images. But as we know, getting sharp images is not always the things we want in our pictures. But it serves very good as knowledge.
CHAPTER 4, 5, 6 & 7
The next 4 chapters are on the types of lenses available in the markets. In these chapters, it is very detail in writings and provides verdicts in every type of lenses discussed. Going through these 4 chapters will give you a deep insights of the many type of lenses available, their advantages and disadvantages. It also provides some tips of handling the lenses.
CHAPTER 8
The last chapters of the book cover a few topics like
01) Don’t be Afraid of Exotic Lenses
02) Buy the Best You can Afford
03) Don’t Buy More Lens than You Need
04) Don’t Buy Less Lens than You Need
05) Beware of ‘Bargain’ that You DON’T Really Need
06) How Big an Outfit Do You Need
07) Lens Cases and Outfit Bags
08) Filters
The topic on Filters is very good for understanding, and should be read.
SUMMARY
This is a very well written books with lots of information, good and accurate information. It will not only suit new photographers, but also for more established photographers around the world. Some might find the topics discussed is too technical, but we have to bear in mind that Optical Design is complicated and it is more than simply photography arts.
Spend some hours with this book and you will have a great insight into Lens.
