A common mistake people make when taking photography for the first time is buying the wrong lenses. It is easy to be blinded by all the possibilities you have with different lenses that you buy the next one you think can give more flexibility. However, more often than not, you are going to use maybe one or two lenses the most; even if you want to take photography from a hobby into a nifty side job. Read on to know how to choose which lenses are right for you.

Telephoto or Zoom Lenses

Zoom lenses are great for those who want flexibility in shooting. Because you can zoom in or out, you can get close to a subject as possible without physically moving closer or farther from the subject. The best thing about zooms is that they have a variable focal length, so they can be used for a variety of shooting situations, from landscape photography to tight close-ups and portrait shots. However, zooms tend to be big and bulky and depending on the kind of lens you buy, may produce standard quality images as opposed to very sharp and crisp photos.

Prime Lenses for More Creative Control

Prime lenses are great for creative shots. Prime lenses have fewer lens elements compared to zoom lenses and they also tend to come with wider apertures. These two features allow users to take sharper, clearer and brighter images. Wide apertures covering a fixed focal length allow you to create photos with sharp subjects against a creamy, blurry background.

Prime lenses are great for those who want to enhance their skills in composition and technique as they require more thought when composing and taking photos because you can't zoom in or out. This means you have to move to position yourself in the best angle for taking a photo. This should be considered if you are someone who prefers to point and shoot or you don't like move positions while shooting.

The Nifty 50

The 50mm is the go-to lens for portrait shooters. The 50mm prime lens has great optical performance and is considered far superior to zoom lenses, especially when it comes to sharpness. The 50mm is also the perfect focal length to take photos that are naturally visually pleasing to the eye because 50mm closely resembles the focal length that the human eye sees the world. And unlike the wider 35mm, the 50mm allows the user to take in as much of the surrounding areas around the subject to tell a story while keeping the subject the main focus of the portrait. No other focal length can achieve this feature. However, the best thing about the 50mm is that it is very cheap. Canon has been producing its standard 50mm lens that retails for less than $100 making this lens one of the most popular prime lenses being used by amateurs and pros alike.

The Classic 35mm

The 35mm lens is a go-to lens for many lifestyle photographers because it is useful in both indoor and outdoor locations. Because it is wider than the 50mm it can capture better lifestyle shots that tell a story, even inside small, tight spaces like delivery rooms or small apartments. This also makes it a great walk-around lens for street photography. When paired with a full-frame camera, the 35mm lens can be the only lens that you need to use, especially if you prefer to take portraits or lifestyle photos.

Wide-angle Lenses

Wide angle lenses are great for those who take outdoor and landscape photos. Wide angle lenses can take in the full glory of mountain ranges or the sun setting on the horizon, as well as city vistas, herds of animals, and large groups of people. If landscapes are your ideal subjects, then you'll likely be using wide angle lenses more often than any other type of lens.

The choice of lenses ultimately boils down to what you want to shoot. Different subjects can be shown in the best light with the right lens, so having this knowledge before you buy your next lens can come in handy. More importantly, it will help you avoid wasting money on lenses that you won't use.