When you buy your first camera, it usually comes with a basic kit lens. That lens is a good starting point, but it won’t be long before you start wondering what to add next. The choice matters because your second or third lens often shapes how your photography develops.
Coming to you from Leigh and Raymond Photography, this practical video walks through a set of lenses worth considering once you’re ready to expand your gear. The focus here is on the Micro Four Thirds system, but the advice is broad enough to apply no matter what mount you use. Instead of racing through a list, Leigh explains why primes—lenses with a single focal length—are such powerful learning tools. They force you to think about composition, they usually open wider for low light shooting, and they make you more deliberate when setting up a shot. The video highlights lenses from TTArtisan, a brand known for manual focus glass that’s affordable but still satisfying to use.
A good example is the TTArtisan 23mm f/1.4. On a Micro Four Thirds camera, it behaves like a 46 mm lens, close to the classic 50mm focal length. That makes it a strong all-around choice for portraits, street shots, or everyday use. The wide f/1.4 aperture gives you shallow depth of field, and pairing it with focus peaking on a body like the OM System OM-5 makes manual focus easier to manage. For a slightly wider view, the OM System 17mm f/1.8 gives you a 35mm equivalent field of view with the bonus of autofocus and weather-sealing, making it a better option if you’re often outdoors.
The video doesn’t stop at everyday lenses. Leigh also brings in specialty options like the TTArtisan 40mm f/2.8 macro, which gives you an 80mm equivalent focal length and lets you get close to small subjects. Manual focus is often a better fit for macro, so the lack of autofocus isn’t a drawback here. For landscapes or astrophotography, the TTArtisan 10mm f/2 provides a 20 mm equivalent field of view, capturing wide scenes without adding much bulk to your bag.
The common thread is that these lenses are compact and purposeful. Each one forces you to work in a specific way, which is how you grow as a photographer. You won’t find a perfect “next lens” for everyone, but these examples show the range of directions you can take depending on what inspires you. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Leigh.
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