Focal Length | Understanding Camera Zoom & Lens Focal Length | Nikon | Nikon (2024)

What is Lens Focal Length

Focal length, usually represented in millimeters (mm), is the basic description of a photographic lens. Itis 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. The focal length of a lens is determined when the lens is focused at infinity.

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.

Zoom vs. Prime Lens

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

Zoom Lens Benefits

Theadvantage of a zoom lens is versatility. They are ideal when you arephotographing a variety of subjects such aslandscapes and portraits, and you just want one lens for both situations.Using azoom lens also reduces the number of times you need 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 mainadvantages of prime lenses or fixed focal length lensesare their size and weight as well as their maximum aperture or f/stop.Prime lensestend to be more compact and lightweight than zoom lenses.

Prime lensesalso tend tohave a larger maximum aperture (f/1.4 to f/2.8). This is an advantage when shooting in low light conditions as it willincrease thepossibilityof hand holding the camera andfreezing the subject without shake or blur caused by the longer exposures. Photographingusing prime lenses withlarge apertures also means you can get ashallow depth of field whichis useful for portraiture where you might want asofter or blurred background (also known as bokeh).

Lens Focal Length Comparison

Wide-angle Lens

FX format approx. 14 – 35mm / DX format approx. 10 – 24mm

Wide angle lenses are popular lenses for landscape photography, interiors, large group photos andwhen workingin confined situations.

Standard Lens

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

Standard lenses are popular as they are closest to the angle of view we humans see. These lenses have minimal distortion, whichcan beflatteringto the subject. They tend to use large apertures and allow a lot of light to enter the lens which makes them fast in low light conditions. Large apertures (f/1.8 – f/1.4) also produce a pleasing out-of-focus effect to the background which concentrates the attention of the viewer on the subject. Standard lenses are the popular choice for a wide range of photography including portraiture, nature and low light situations where the photographer can not use a flash or is looking to capture the scene with available light.

Telephoto Lens

FX format approx. 70 – 200mm / DX format approx. 55 – 200mm

Telephoto lensesbetween 70 – 200mm are very popularlenses for portraiture and product photography as well as nature and wildlife imagery. They allow the photographer to produce close crops on the subject. In the case of portraiture a telephoto allows the photographer to take the photo at a distance that does not intrude upon the subject.

Super Telephoto Lens

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

These lenses provide a good range for wildlife andsports photography where the photographeris limited as to how close they can get to the subject.

Macro Lens

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

Close-up photographyuses a specific range of lenses that allow up to 1:1 reproduction. These lensesallow the photographer to focus very close to the subject and reproduce them at a 1:1 life-size ratio on film or an imagingsensor. These lenses are popular for subjects such as flowers, insects and small products.