This classification is based on the maximum aperture value that the zoom lens has. They are great for landscapes. You need to add a conversion step to find the equivalent focal length for your final image. A zoom lens presents certain advantages and disadvantages in comparison to prime lenses (a lens with a fixed focal length). Depending on the focal length, zoom lenses can be: These lenses cover a big part of the scene because they have a short focal length (35mm or shorter). In this case, the first aperture number (f/4) corresponds to the maximum aperture at the smaller focal length (55mm). Variable-aperture supertelephoto zoom lenses like the pair of 150-600mm F5-6.3 lenses offer photographers the ability to fill the frame with distant subjects—which is incredibly rewarding for capturing wildlife, sports, on-stage performances and more. Fujifilm 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 at 100mm, then at 400mm This lens will let you shoot birds up close, and although the zoom isn’t the longest out there, it will still allow you to capture birds in the distance. when you can’t get close enough because your subject will eat you or run away. Lenses with longer focal lengths will narrow our angle of view. It is measured in millimetres (mm). Fast lenses are useful in low light conditions because they allow more light to go into the camera. Decide on the Focal Length Range You Need, 2. There are many advantages to using a zoom lens for macros and closeups. It’s also known as racking the lens. What Are the Advantages of a Zoom Lens vs Prime Lens? But they are usually more expensive. This measure is just the distance between the centre of the lens and the sensor. A zoom lens is a photographic lens that allows you to gradually change the lens's focal length from wide-angle to telephoto and vice versa as needed. I took this photo with a 55-300mm zoom lens, if I had to change lenses to take it I would have missed these beautiful guys. So it doesn’t correspond with how much of the scene the camera will be able to capture. Another is that a zoom lens is slower. To keep in your budget, you might need to concede the zoom range or the aperture values you wanted a bit. A zoom lens is a lens that covers a range of focal lengths. A way of saving money is to buy lenses from another brand instead than your camera brand. As zoom lenses have a range of focal lengths, they can cover several focal lengths inside the same type. In this example, 18-140mm is the focal length range and f/3.5 the maximum aperture the zoom lens can get. A fast lens has a low f value as maximum aperture. Others start regarding a lens as a telelens only if their focal length is above 85mm. The 24mm or shorter lenses are ultra-wide. Using a zoom lens for closeup photography. Travelling, I couldn’t take many lenses with me, so having my 18-55mm zoom lens with me was very handy for both landscape and portraits. Does it mean that the camera will capture just these distances? We will see a broader frame in the camera than with our eyes. 200-500mm). So the angle of view of the lens can be adjusted to best suite the photograph you would like to create. Lenses are built with the correct combination of several lenses. Because if you get, for example, a 16-300mm lens, in your camera it will look like a 24-450mm. All Rights Reserved. When it comes to capturing landscapes or even general travel photography, you’ll be mesmerized by what you see through the lens. . With an interchangeable lens camera, you can calculate the optical zoom measurement yourself by using a simple mathematical formula. Some even set the threshold at 135mm. A zoom lens offers many advantages to both professional and amateur photographers alike. So when you are choosing a zoom lens, keep this in mind. A zoom lens allows for quick and easy re-framing of a scene while staying in the same physical position. The focal point and angle of view can be adjusted within a given range. There are many possible designs for zoom lenses, the most complex ones having upwards of thirty individual lens elements and multiple moving parts. For example, if your camera has a cropping factor of 1.5x and you are using a focal length of 50mm, you need to multiply 1.5 x 50mm= 85mm. A zoom lens is an optical apparatus that contains several lenses and glass elements. DIL (digital interchangeable lens) cameras, which are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras (ILC), also use lenses that are listed by their focal length, rather than an X zoom number. This lens zooms from 100mm (a moderate telephoto) to 400mm (a strong telephoto). If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. 1,886 likes. Shorter focal lengths will widen our angle of view. How to Decide Which Type of Zoom Lens You Should Get? It is vital to set the limit of money you can invest in your lens. I took this photo when I went to Dresden. The second aperture number (f/5.6) corresponds to the maximum aperture at the biggest focal length (200mm). Photographer You might be a portrait photographer that loves shooting with wide-angle. This type of lenses allows more light to get into the camera sensor so you can use faster shutter speed. There are different types of zoom lenses, and each type has specific characteristics. This is great for photojournalism or event photography. Today I will talk about what a zoom lens is, how they work, what their advantages are and when you should use a zoom lens in digital photography. The Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm is a great introductory telephoto lens for bird photography at a very good price point. To get the same exposure, you need to use slower shutter speed. There are some steps you can follow to make the decision easier: Focal length range usually depends on the type of photography you like. If your camera has a full-frame sensor, you can skip this step. The term “zoom” itself does not actually correspond to a specific focal range, despite sometimes being confused with the term “telephoto”. Lenses are a real temptation for photographers, but they can be costly. Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property.