Interchangeable lenses for snapshots

A "snapshot" that captures casual everyday moments as they are. The low threshold and high degree of freedom that you can start immediately with a camera are popular. Here are some recommended interchangeable lenses for those who want to take snapshots with a single-lens reflex camera. There is no rule that the lens used for shooting must be this. However, lenses that are said to be suitable for snapshots have something in common. With these lenses, you'll be able to get the hang of snapshots faster. I will also explain the points when choosing a lens, so please refer to it.

What is a snapshot?

A snapshot is a photo that takes a quick and instant shot of what happened in your daily life or what you saw. “Snap” means “immediately and quickly”, and the method of shooting a subject that changes its appearance the next moment is called snapshot shooting. It is important to take a picture of what you are, and you do not have to do location scouting or set up a tripod in advance. It is a style that captures what you feel at that time as you see it without making it. While walking around the city, decide on the subject, and when you touch the chord, just release the shutter. Anyone can feel free to get started with just one camera. When shooting a person, it is better to devise an angle so that the camera is not conscious and select compact equipment so that it does not give a feeling of intimidation. Since snapshots are taken while walking around , choosing a camera with excellent mobility will lead to ease of shooting.

Points to choose a lens for snapshots

Size/weight

The camera should be hung from the neck so that it can be held quickly so that you don't miss a good moment. If you choose a compact lens, you will be able to carry it without stress. Lighter single focus lenses and pancake lenses tend to be preferred over large lenses.

Focal length

Since photography is free, there is no rule that "must be at this focal length" for snapshots. It's a snapshot if you can take a quick shot, whether it's super wide-angle or telephoto. However, in general, lenses with a wide angle of about 28 mm in the 35 mm format and a focal length of about 85 mm at a medium telephoto are often used. The angle of view of 35mm and 50mm is preferred for single focus. In the city, if you use a super wide angle, you can see extra things, and if you use a telephoto lens, the angle of view is too narrow. Check here for more. In addition, many telephoto lenses are long and heavy, so they are inferior in terms of portability. It's a good idea to try a general focal length such as 35mm or 50mm first, and then find your favorite focal length as you get used to it.

F value

A lens with a small opening value allows you to enjoy bokeh at a shallow depth of field. Even if you like sharp photos, it's worth choosing a bright lens. The reason is that by opening the aperture, you can shoot at a high shutter speed even after shooting in the evening or in the dark. By choosing a lens with a small F value, it is possible to reduce camera shake. Large-aperture lenses tend to be heavy, but some lenses are designed to be compact, so if you have the possibility of shooting in the dark, you should choose a bright lens.

Image stabilization mechanism

Snapshot does not use a tripod. It's quick to hold, focus quickly, and release the shutter, which can sometimes lead to rushing movements. In such a case, a lens equipped with an image stabilization mechanism is a strong ally. There is no problem if the camera itself has image stabilization, but in other cases, you can reduce image stabilization by choosing a lens with an image stabilization mechanism.

AF speed

For snapshots, capturing the moment is of utmost importance. You don't want to miss a photo opportunity because autofocus takes a long time. Choose a model that can focus quickly. Introducing a system such as a stepping motor and inner focus, a lens capable of high-speed AF is suitable for snapshot photography.

Single focus or zoom

For snapshots, a single focus lens that can shoot only one angle of view is preferred. Many zoom lenses are large and heavy, so they are not very portable. Considering that you will not miss a photo opportunity, a zoom lens with a changeable angle of view is more advantageous. Both have advantages and disadvantages, so it may be a good idea to try both. Most of the products introduced this time are single focus lenses, but if you feel that they are not difficult to carry, you can say that they are suitable for snapshot photography.