Fast lens

[WelshAl]

Morning,

So i have been looking at purchasing a couple of new lens and been reading reviews on the internet and quite a few comment on a lens being / not being a fast lens. Can you tell just by looking at the specification if a lens is a 'fast' lens?

What defines a fast lens?

Many Thanks

Alan

 

[Martyn...]

It relates to the f number, an f1.4 50mm or 85mm would be a fast lens, the larger aperture allows using a faster shutter speed, hence the 'fast' tag.

An f2.8 zoom, or telephoto would also be described as a fast lens.

 

[WelshAl]

Martyn,

Many thanks.

Alan

 

[chrisbaker42]

They make things easier for low light shots and as stated allow faster shutter sppeds for things like sports photography, cars in motion, birds in flight etc.

 

[WelshAl]

They make things easier for low light shots and as stated allow faster shutter sppeds for things like sports photography, cars in motion, birds in flight etc.

chris,

Thanks. I guessed it had something to do with its ability to cater better for low light shots but didnt link it with the 'f' number. Still relatively new to this.

Regards

Alan