How to Maximize the Potential of Your Kit Lens • Rose Clearfield

When you first purchase a DSLR camera, most likely you buy an entry-level camera body with a kit lens that comes with it because you don’t know what kind of lens you want or need. I bought my first DSLR in late 2012 with a kit lens. I had absolutely no understanding of the best lenses for my photography. In May 2013, I upgraded slightly to a zoom lens with a greater focal range. The quality wasn’t much better than the newest kit lenses on the market today. It was my primary zoom lens until August 2016. I used it extensively on multiple vacations, on numerous day trips and other short excursions, and for hundreds (literally) of Etsy listings, blog posts, and articles.

Brand new to DSLR photography, a kit lens is a great place to start. With a few simple tips, this lightweight, affordable lens will get you through years of shooting in varied environments and experimenting with a wide spectrum of photography. A kit lens is a great fit for landscape photography, street photography, portrait photography, blog photography, and even macro photography. You’ll be hard pressed to find another lens at this price point that has such a light weight and offers such versatility.

On the Photorec.tv blog this week, I’m sharing my best tips for maximizing the potential of your kit lens, covering advice from finding the “sweet spot” of your lens to moving to get your shots. Whether you’re just thinking about investing in a DSLR camera or you’re frustrated with your current level of photography but aren’t ready to upgrade lenses, you’ll be able to pick up some advice to transform your average photos into polished, professional images.