A camera is only as good as the lens attached to it. At Samy's Camera, we carry a wide selection of lenses and accessories designed to elevate your craft. Whether you're working with traditional DSLR cameras or the latest mirrorless cameras, the right optics and accessories will help you achieve sharper focus, greater creative control, and lasting protection for your gear.
Why Quality Lenses Matter
Lenses are the heart of photography. They determine how light enters the camera, how much of the scene is captured, and how details are rendered. Wide-angle lenses are popular among landscape and architectural photographers who want to emphasize scale and depth. Telephoto lenses allow you to capture distant action at sporting events or wildlife in their natural habitats. Macro lenses open up a whole new world of detail, letting you get incredibly close to subjects like flowers, insects, or product textures.
No matter your subject, investing in the right lens improves image quality, sharpness, and creative expression. Professionals often carry multiple lenses to adapt to different environments, while beginners can start with versatile zoom lenses that cover a range of focal lengths.
Essential Lens Accessories
Accessories extend the life, performance, and versatility of your lenses. At Samy's Camera, you'll find an extensive selection tailored to both professionals and enthusiasts. Popular accessories include:
- Lens filters to reduce glare, enhance colors, and protect the front element
- Lens hoods that minimize flare and protect against bumps
- Lens caps to keep optics dust-free and secure when not in use
- Cleaning kits that include microfiber cloths, brushes, and lens-safe solutions
- Adapters to mount different lenses on your camera body
Among these, lens filters are especially useful. UV filters provide simple protection, polarizing filters cut through reflections for richer skies and water shots, and neutral density (ND) filters allow you to slow shutter speeds even in bright conditions for creative effects like silky smooth waterfalls.
Building the Perfect Setup
Great lenses are only part of the equation. Stability and protection are just as important to consistently capture great results. For sharper images, especially in low light or long exposures, pair your lens with reliable tripods & supports. Tripods provide steady framing for landscapes, portraits, and video work, while compact travel tripods are excellent for those on the move.
Protecting your investment is equally critical. High-quality camera bags & cases are designed with padded dividers to keep lenses safe from bumps, dust, and moisture. Whether you're carrying one lens or a full kit, the right bag makes transporting and organizing your gear effortless.
DSLR vs. Mirrorless: Choosing the Right Lens System
DSLR lenses are designed for bodies with optical viewfinders and longer flange distances. Mirrorless systems, with their shorter flange distance and electronic viewfinders, often support smaller, lighter lenses while maintaining excellent optical quality. Many brands now offer adapters, letting photographers use their existing DSLR lenses on mirrorless bodies, extending the value of older collections while transitioning to new technology.
Photography Lenses and Accessories Reviews
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II Wide Angle USM AF Lens
"Was trying to find this lens everywhere and it was just simply not available. Gave Samy's a shot and They had some of the most hard to find items I needed in stock! Would definitely recommend this lens for anyone with the EF or RF Series camera it is still, to this day, a fantastic lens to have in your collection."
Thomas A, AZ.
FAQs About Lenses & Accessories
Are third-party lenses a good option?
Yes, brands like Sigma and Tamron produce high-quality lenses compatible with most major systems. They're an excellent way to expand your kit without compromising image quality.
Which lens accessories are must-haves for beginners?
Start with lens filters for protection, a cleaning kit for maintenance, and a lens hood to reduce flare in bright conditions.
What's the best way to transport multiple lenses?
Padded camera bags & cases provide safe compartments for lenses and accessories, making it easy to travel with your gear.
What Camera Lenses Should You Have?
An 18-55mm kit lens is a good all-around photo lens to start with. If you bought your camera as a kit with a lens already included with your purchase, you probably have a similar lens. Depending on the style of photography you like to shoot, you might also want to add a wide-angle, telephoto, zoom, or
macro lens next. The wide-angle lens will allow you to capture expansive landscapes or make a small room look larger. A telephoto
zoom lens will make far-off subjects appear closer, while the macro lens will enable you to photograph extremely close-up for crisp detail shots.
What Do Lens Attachments Do?
It depends on the type, but lens attachments are camera
lens accessories that are mounted on the lens to provide a function it didn't previously have. Samy's carries a variety of these accessories, including teleconverters to increase the lens focal range, lens adapters that allow you to use a photography lens on a camera body it was not originally made to work with, and lens filters to either protect your camera lens from damage or enhance the lens's light performance among other functions.
Are Camera Lenses Universal?
No! Photo lenses are not universally compatible among camera lines and different brands. While some brands may be used with a proper lens adapter, it's often recommended to use camera lenses manufactured by the camera brand that you are using. The camera brand lenses are guaranteed to be compatible with certain camera models and will produce stunning images since they are meant to be used together.
What Are Some Types of Camera Lenses?
There are many different types of lenses for cameras. Some common photo lens types include 35 mm,
zoom,
wide-angle,
telephoto, prime, fisheye, long-focus, ultra-wide-angle,
macro,
large format,
normal,
tilt-shift,
auxiliary, and more. Many professionals and camera enthusiasts will have a collection of camera lenses suitable for different types of shoots, as each lens has unique photo capturing qualities.
What Is a Telephoto Lens?
Telephoto camera lenses for photography and videography are used to bring faraway objects or subject matter into focus. Telephoto lenses use long focal lengths compared to a standard camera lens. They are often bulkier and heavier than typical photo lenses, and because of this, using a
tripod with a telephoto lens is often recommended.
How to Clean a Camera Lens?
When cleaning your camera lens, be sure you only use proper
lens cleaning supplies. Use an air blower to remove dirt and dust, and then add a small amount of lens cleaning solution to a microfiber cloth, and wipe the photography lens carefully in a circular motion, removing any oil, smudges, or fingerprints. Be careful when cleaning your camera lens, as the lens is very fragile.
What Are Fisheye Lenses?
Wide-angle lenses that produce a curved and distorted image are referred to as fisheye lenses because the images resemble a fisheye shape.
Fisheye lenses are ideal for capturing photos underwater with a panoramic view.
What Do Neutral Density Filters Do?
One of the many
lens filters available, neutral density (ND) filters reduce the amount of light that is able to enter the camera lens. Neutral density filters allow videographers and photographers to control the exposure and shutter speed, as well as use wide apertures and motion blur to achieve creative visual effects. Often used in landscape photography, neutral density filters enable photographers to capture exquisite detail in photos, even in the brightest lighting conditions. ND filters reduce the intensity of light wavelengths without compromising color balance.
How to Store Camera Lenses
Use lens caps or covers to safely protect the fragile photography lenses when not in use. Camera lenses should be stored in a dry and cool environment to prevent mold growth. Many professionals store their lenses in a
hard camera case or bag that has sections built in for camera lens storage.
What Camera Lenses Should You Have?
An 18-55mm kit lens is a good all-around photo lens to start with. If you bought your camera as a kit with a lens already included with your purchase, you probably have a similar lens. Depending on the style of photography you like to shoot, you might also want to add a wide-angle, telephoto, zoom, or
macro lens next. The wide-angle lens will allow you to capture expansive landscapes or make a small room look larger. A telephoto
zoom lens will make far-off subjects appear closer, while the macro lens will enable you to photograph extremely close-up for crisp detail shots.
Can I use DSLR lenses on mirrorless cameras?
Yes, with the right
adapter. This flexibility allows you to use high-quality DSLR lenses on newer, more compact mirrorless bodies. Check compatibility to ensure functionality.
Are camera lenses waterproof?
Most are not fully waterproof but are water-resistant, which means they can handle splashes but not submersion.
What types of camera lenses can I rent?
From macro to telephoto lenses, camera lens
rental options are vast. Renting is a great way to test different lenses before committing to a purchase.
How do I maintain my camera lenses?
Regular cleaning with a
lens cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth, along with proper storage, helps maintain your lens's performance.
