Mandatory Lenses  

Everything you have asked depends on the brand and type of camera that you want. I have a Canon and I use a fixed 50mm lens with a wide aperture. This seems to work well, around, from landscapes to portraits. But, if you like to do close-ups, you would want a zoom/macro lens. Wide angle lenses are generally good for landscapes and certain effects. The ones with a really wide angle (fish eye) can distort the photo is a certain way as to bend and bulge it. I wouldn't recommend that as a primary lens, but it can be useful as a special-effects lens. Also, digital cameras have a 1.6 crop compared to a film camera. This means that a 50mm lens is like an 85mm lens on a film camera.

I know my Canon comes with a special battery that is rechargeable. It should last quite a while before it needs to be replaced. And, it's not really expensive if it goes dead.

I have a 28-300mm lens which works for most anything. It's got a wide enough zoom so that it's very versatile.

Additionally, I have some creative lenses- a selective focus Lensbaby, a fisheye lens, and a pinhole lens.

I plan on getting a macro lens, a wide angle lens, and a telephoto lens in the future.


A wide angle lens is good for landscapes... so if you shoot a lot of landscapes, that is a must! If you don't... you can probably hold off awhile on getting one. Or you may even decide you don't need one at all.

DSLRs have a rechargeable battery. And your camera should come with a charger. I would highly recommend buying at least one extra battery though! I always keep a fully charged spare battery in my camera bag... it has come in handy more times than I can count!!!

I have a 28 mm wide angle that I use sometimes for wide group shots. I think you can get rechargeable batteries but it really depends on the camera. Lithium batteries are the next best thing. they last a long time.

A basic lens, that most people will start out with would be a 18-55. Most manufacturers sell them cheap, and sometimes include them with the camera body, if you buy a kit.

the first question is if you have all these questions why are you buying a SLR camera? You are making a major investment and you will spend more on the lens than you will on the camera. I bought a Canon Rebel with an 18-55 lens. Since then I have purchased a 28-200 zoom lens valued at $695, a 50 mm f 1.8, and I just purchased a a 24-70 f 2.8 zoom lens valued at $695. I am not buying the top of the line lens. My advice is to put your tax refund in the bank and do some serious research into what you need for a camera. You may be able to have your needs met with a DSLR like camera. What type of photography do you plan to do? I like Action Sports and take a lot of photos of indoor sporting events. I need a fast lens. When I take photos of games outside I need a long telephoto lens. If I had to start with only one lens I would choose my 24-70 f2.8 zoom lens. When you do buy a lens buy the best you can afford. Go for Quality and not quanity.