Editing Camera (section)

=== Lens ===
{{Main|Camera lens|Photographic lens design}}
A camera lens is an assembly of multiple optical elements, typically made from high-quality glass.<ref name="Cambridge-in-Color">{{Cite web |title=Understanding Camera Lenses |url=https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-lenses.htm |accessdate=2019-12-13 |work=Cambridge in Color |archive-date=19 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619170605/https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-lenses.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Its primary function is to focus light onto a camera's film or digital sensor, thereby producing an image.<ref name="How-Stuff-Works" /> This process significantly influences image quality, the overall appearance of the photo, and which parts of the scene are brought into focus.<ref name="Cambridge-in-Color" />

A camera lens is constructed from a series of lens elements, small pieces of glass arranged to form an image accurately on the light-sensitive surface. Each element is designed to reduce [[Optical aberration|optical aberrations]], or distortions, such as [[chromatic aberration]] (a failure of the lens to focus all colors at the same point), [[vignetting]] (darkening of image corners), and [[Distortion (optics)|distortion]] (bending or warping of the image). The degree of these distortions can vary depending on the subject of the photo.<ref name="Cambridge-in-Color" />

The [[focal length]] of the lens, measured in millimeters, plays a critical role as it determines how much of the scene the camera can capture and how large the objects appear. Wide-angle lenses provide a broad view of the scene, while telephoto lenses capture a narrower view but magnify the objects. The focal length also influences the ease of taking clear pictures handheld, with longer lengths making it more challenging to avoid blur from small camera movements.<ref name="Cambridge-in-Color" />

Two primary types of lenses include zoom and prime lenses. A zoom lens allows for changing its focal length within a certain range, providing the convenience of adjusting the scene capture without moving the camera or changing the lens. A prime lens, in contrast, has a fixed focal length. While less flexible, prime lenses often provide superior image quality, are typically lighter, and perform better in low light.<ref name="Cambridge-in-Color" />

Focus involves adjusting the lens elements to sharpen the image of the subject at various distances.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Adams |first1=Ansel |title=The camera |last2=Baker |first2=Robert |date=1980 |publisher=Little, Brown |isbn=978-0-8212-1092-5 |location=Boston}}</ref> The focus is adjusted through the focus ring on the lens, which moves the lens elements closer or further from the sensor. [[Autofocus]] is a feature included in many lenses, which uses a motor within the lens to adjust the focus quickly and precisely based on the lens's detection of contrast or phase differences. This feature can be enabled or disabled using switches on the lens body.<ref name="How-Stuff-Works" />

Advanced lenses may include mechanical [[image stabilization]] systems that move lens elements or the image sensor itself to counteract camera shake, especially beneficial in low-light conditions or at slow shutter speeds.<ref name="Cambridge-in-Color" /> Lens hoods, filters, and caps are accessories used alongside a lens to enhance image quality, protect the lens, or achieve specific effects.<ref name="How-Stuff-Works" />