When you’re new to photography, one of the things that are high up on your to-do list is to master your gear. Aside from camera settings, you also need to familiarize yourself with crucial equipment like lenses. However, it can be overwhelming even for non-beginners, especially when they switch to a different brand or format.

Here’s where the quick tips above by nature and wildlife photographer Simon d’Entremont come into the picture. There are many different choices and considerations that you’ll encounter when it comes to lenses. So, he wanted to demystify various lens types in the video above to help you get the right one the next time you’re looking to buy.

To do this, he breaks down the variables, lens types, terminologies and definitions that you need to know when getting a new lens. Camera shops will ask you about what you’re looking for in terms of focal length, prime vs. zoom, aperture and mount type. So, it’s important to have an ample understanding about these details to make sure you’re getting the lens (or lenses) that you need.

But if you’re already a little further along and you’re thinking of moving from one mount or system to another, Simon has a bonus tip. You can use adapters instead of buying a new lens. This way, you can use your existing lenses when you get a new camera instead.