The two common forms of lens distortion are barrel distortion and pincushion distortion. These two complications usually occur when low quality or practical lenses are used. Wide range zoom lenses and wide angle lenses are notorious for causing lens distortion.
Both of these forms of lens distortion are likely to occur when using any of these lenses, but do you know the difference between the two lenses? Barrel distortion occurs when lines within the image bend outwards, like the lines of a building or trees. Barrel distortion causes an image to look as though it is wrapped around a spear. It causes the distance from the optical axis to decrease magnification. Pincushion distortion is the opposite. It occurs when the lines of the image bend inwards. This increases the magnification distance from the optical axis. It causes the image to be bowed inwards. Lens distortion causes an image to loose perspective because of the convex curves it causes in the images.
