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Beginner

Understanding Focal Length

What is Lens Focal Length

Focal length, usually represented in millimeters (mm), is the bones description of a photographic lens. It is not a measurement of the actual length of a lens, but a adding of an optical altitude from the signal where calorie-free rays converge to form a sharp prototype of an object to the digital sensor or 35mm movie at the focal plane in the photographic camera. The focal length of a lens is determined when the lens is focused at infinity.

Lens focal length tells u.s.a. the bending of view—how much of the scene will exist captured—and the magnification—how large individual elements volition exist. The longer the focal length, the narrower the angle of view and the higher the magnification. The shorter the focal length, the wider the angle of view and the lower the magnification.

Zoom vs. Prime Lens

There are ii types of lenses-prime and zoom. Prime lenses accept a fixed focal length and zoom lenses have variable focal lengths.

Zoom Lens Benefits

The advantage of a zoom lens is versatility. They are ideal when y'all are photographing a variety of subjects such equally landscapes and portraits, and you just desire i lens for both situations. Using a zoom lens too reduces the number of times you lot demand to change the lens which saves time and limits the possibility of getting dust in the camera's mirror box or on the sensor.

Prime Lens Benefits

The main advantages of prime lenses or fixed focal length lenses are their size and weight besides every bit their maximum aperture or f/stop. Prime number lenses tend to exist more compact and lightweight than zoom lenses.

Prime lenses as well tend to accept a larger maximum aperture (f/1.4 to f/2.8). This is an reward when shooting in low lite weather condition as it volition increase the possibility of hand holding the camera and freezing the subject without shake or blur caused by the longer exposures. Photographing using prime number lenses with large apertures besides means you can become a shallow depth of field which is useful for portraiture where yous might want a softer or blurred background (too known every bit bokeh).

Lens Focal Length Comparing

Wide-angle Lens

FX format approx. fourteen – 35mm / DX format approx. 10 – 24mm

Wide bending lenses are popular lenses for landscape photography, interiors, large grouping photos and when working in bars situations.

© Diane Berkenfeld & Lindsay Silverman

Standard Lens

FX format approx. 50 – 60mm / DX format approx. 35mm

Standard lenses are popular equally they are closest to the angle of view nosotros humans see. These lenses accept minimal distortion, which can be flattering to the field of study. They tend to use large apertures and allow a lot of light to enter the lens which makes them fast in low light atmospheric condition. Large apertures (f/ane.viii – f/one.iv) too produce a pleasing out-of-focus effect to the groundwork which concentrates the attending of the viewer on the subject field. Standard lenses are the popular choice for a wide range of photography including portraiture, nature and low low-cal situations where the lensman can not use a flash or is looking to capture the scene with available light.

Telephoto Lens

FX format approx. lxx – 200mm / DX format approx. 55 – 200mm

Telephoto lenses between 70 – 200mm are very popular lenses for portraiture and product photography as well equally nature and wild fauna imagery. They allow the lensman to produce shut crops on the field of study. In the example of portraiture a telephoto allows the photographer to take the photo at a distance that does not intrude upon the subject.

© Mike Corrado & Diane Berkenfeld

Super Telephoto Lens

FX format approx. 300 – 600mm / DX format approx. 200 – 600mm

These lenses provide a skilful range for wildlife and sports photography where the photographer is limited equally to how shut they can get to the field of study.

© Mike Corrado & Lindsay Silverman

Macro Lens

FX format 60mm, 105mm, and 200mm / DX format 85mm

Close-up photography uses a specific range of lenses that allow upward to 1:1 reproduction. These lenses allow the photographer to focus very close to the subject and reproduce them at a 1:1 life-size ratio on picture or an imaging sensor. These lenses are popular for subjects such equally flowers, insects and small products.

Understanding Focal Length of DSLR Lenses – Lookout man the video to learn about the focal length of Nikon DSLR cameras.

Field of view of DX format NIKKOR lenses.

Field of view of DX format NIKKOR lenses.

Field of view of FX format NIKKOR lenses.

Field of view of FX format NIKKOR lenses.

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