2. Lens in General
A camera lens (also known as
photographic lens or photographic
objective) is an optical lens used in
conjunction with a camera body
and mechanism to make images of
objects either on photographic film
or on other media capable of
storing an image chemically or
electronically.
-Eye of Camera
3. What is Lens Focal
Length?
Focal length, usually represented in millimeters
(mm), is the basic description of a photographic
lens. It is not a measurement of the actual length
of a lens, but a calculation of an optical distance
from the point where light rays converge to form a
sharp image of an object to the digital sensor or
35mm film at the focal plane in the camera.
Lens focal length tells us the angle of view—how
much of the scene will be captured—and
the magnification—how large individual elements
will be.
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.
4. Types of Lenses
• There are two major types of lenses:
• Prime lenses
• Zoom lenses
5. Prime lens
In film and photography, a prime lens is
a fixed focal length photographic lens,
typically with a maximum aperture from
f2.8 to f1.2. The term can also mean the
primary lens in a combination lens
system.
• Prime lens have fixed focal length.
• Prime lens have fast aperture.
6. Zoom lens
A zoom lens is a mechanical assembly of lens
elements for which the focal length can be varied,
as opposed to a fixed focal length lens. A true
zoom lens, is one that maintains focus when its
focal length changes.
• Have variable focal length.
• Have variable aperture.
7. Lens Types
There are six types of lenses
• Standard lens
• Wide angle lens
• Telephoto lens
• Macro lens
• Tilt-Shift lens
• Fish-Eye lens
8. Standard lens
A standard lens is one with a mid-range focal
length, typically around 50mm. They have an
angle of view which is roughly the same as the
angle that the human eye can comfortably view,
meaning that they produce images which
appear "natural" to the viewer.
• Standard lens focal length fall between
35mm-85mm
• Most of the time standard lens varies
according to your camera [if your camera is
crop sensor than your standard lens will be
50mm . If you have a full frame camera than
your standard lens will be 70mm.
10. Wide Angle lens
A wide angle lens is one with a short focal
length. They provide an angle of view beyond
that of a standard lens, allowing them to capture
more of the scene in a single shot. Extreme wide
angle lenses are known as fisheye lens; these can
capture around 180 degrees, making for some
intriguing, almost abstract photos.
Wide angle lenses are useful for photographing
landscapes, cramped interiors, and other
subjects which won't fit into a normal lens's field
of view.
Fisheye lenses take this even further, and are
popular for photographing action sports like
skateboarding and surfing, where their inherent
distortion gives photos a dynamic feel.
• Its focal length fall between 8mm-35mm.
12. Telephoto lens
A telephoto lens has a long focal length and
provides a high level of magnification, allowing
you to photograph subjects at a moderate to far
distance. They tend to be bigger and heavier
than other types of lens, although modern
technological advances have made them more
compact and easier to handle.
Telephoto lenses are popular for any type of
photography where you can't get near to the
subject, including wildlife and sports events.
They are also commonly used in portrait
photography, where a moderate telephoto lens
will provide a natural, undistorted perspective.
• Its focal length fall between 85mm-2500mm
and +more.
14. Macro lens
A macro lens is one designed especially for
close-up photography. They have a different
internal construction from normal lenses which
gives them very good sharpness and contrast,
meaning that they produce some really eye-
catching photos.
Macro lenses are useful for photographing any
subject at very close range. Typical subjects
include insects, animals, and plants, but they
are also popular for taking extremely detailed
photos of everyday objects.
• Macro lens can focus really close to a
subject giving you a very detailed image.
• In image a 24mm macro lens is shown, this
lens in particular also called a probe lens
due to its unique shape
16. Tilt-Shift lens
Simply stated, a tilt-shift lens is a lens in
which the optics can be tilted and/or shifted
in relation to the image sensor. Tilt-shift
lenses also rotate to allow the lens to tilt
and/or shift in a wide range of directions.
• Its focal length fall between the focal
length of wide and standard lens, from
24mm-50mm
18. Fish-Eye lens
A lens of small focal length, having a highly
curved protruding front element, that covers
an angle of view of almost 180°. It yields a cir
cular image having considerable linear
distortion.
• Fish-Eye lens are extreme wide angle
lens.
• Fish-Eye lens focal length fall between
8mm-14mm.
20. Example Image
Focal Length Lens Type Common Subjects
8mm - 24mm
Ultra wide angle
(fisheye) Wide panoramas and skyscapes, artistic
24mm - 35mm Wide angle Interiors, architecture, landscapes
35mm - 85mm (50mm
common) Standard General purpose
85mm - 135mm Short telephoto Portraits, candid
135mm - 300mm Medium telephoto Close sports, action
300mm+ Super telephoto Far sports, wildlife, nature, astronomy
Lens focal lengths, types, and uses
21. Points to consider while using Lens
• APERTURE
• A lens's aperture determines how much light it lets through. More
often than not, a wider aperture (lower f-number) is preferable, as it
will allow you to take photos indoors and in other situations with little
or no natural light.
• A wide aperture also allows you to use a faster shutter speed, which
is important when photographing fast-moving subjects or when hand-
holding the camera.
22. Points to consider while using Lens
• FOCUSING
• Most modern camera lenses have a built-in autofocus mechanism
which takes the guesswork out of getting sharp photos. Some
specialist lenses may use a manual focusing system, so be sure to
check this out before using.
• Internal focusing means that the outside of the lens stays perfectly
still, which can be beneficial in macro photography where any
movement could scare your subject away.
23. Points to consider while using Lens
• IMAGE STABILISATION
• When photographing at slow shutter speeds, camera movement can
cause blurring in your photo. Image stabilisation (IS) is designed to
reduce this, making your shots sharper and allowing you to shoot at
slower speeds without using a tripod.
• A lens with image stabilisation will typically give you an extra 2 to 4
stops of exposure, allowing for exposures 4 to 16 times longer
without a noticeable increase in blurring. This can be very useful
when shooting in low light, or when hand-holding a telephoto lens.
24. Points to consider while using Lens
• SIZE AND WEIGHT
• You should choose your lenses based on the subjects and situations you
intend to photograph rather than the lens's size and weight, but these can
be important as a final consideration.
• The most important factor is the lens's focal length - longer lenses tend to
be bigger and heavier. Aperture also plays a small role in the lens's weight,
with a wider aperture requiring a more complex, heavier internal
construction.
• Heavier lenses are sometimes necessary, and you should support them
properly using a tripod or monopod. However, be aware that this will
reduce your mobility.
• The size of a camera lens can be important if you need to carry it in a travel
bag or pack it to take on a plane, where space is limited.