A lens’s focal length is the distance between a lens and the point at which the light it collects comes together to form an image. I mean, that’s if you want to get technical. Basically, a lens focal length is the number listed before the “mm”, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm. Different focal lengths affect the images distortion, compression, and how much of it is in focus.
Knowing the best use for each lens’s focal length can help ensure that you’re utilizing your lenses to the fullest extent and are getting the best results.
Here are the top 10 most common focal lengths and what they’re best used for.
1. 14mm: This is a great choice when shooting wide angle shots due to its ultra-wide perspective. You can get almost everything that you see in one photo. It’s especially good for capturing landscapes, interior architecture and design, as well as star photography.
2. 24mm: With its slightly wider angle of view, this lens is great for group shots, landscapes, architecture, or fashion portraits with a purposeful distorted look.
3. 35mm: This focal length is known as the standard lens. It has a field of view similar to that of the human eye and is great for everyday photography, such as street scenes, family portraits, and other general shots.
4. 50mm: The classic lens, perfect for portraits! It matches the true perspective of a the human eye when it comes to compression. If you only have one lens, it should be a 50 (or 35 if you don’t plan on taking close up portraits)!
5. 85mm: Another popular choice for portrait photography, this longer lens gives you a nice compression separating your subject from the background. At 85mm the distortion of the face is minimal making this lens more flattering for close up headshots.
6. 100mm: Another great option for portraits, this lens offers the similar compression as an 85mm however the longer lens implies improved detail due to its higher magnification.
7. 135mm: Getting up there! This long telephoto lens is great for candid shots, sports photography, and wildlife shots from a greater distance. Smaller than the zoom, but with such a tight perspective, I’d personally go for the 70-200.
8. 200mm: This lens usually comes as a zoom 70-200, versatile for shooting super close headshots and beauty portraits, with a detailed subject and smooth blurred background. This lens is versatile, however at this point the lenses are only getting bigger.
9. 300mm: Used commonly by professional photographers, because you are getting some serious closeups with this lens. This lens is best for shooting subjects that are farther away rather than smaller subjects that are super close. Check out Macro lenses for magnified detailed images.
10. 600-800mm: Basically a telescope, If you are looking to photograph subjects that are extremely distant such as star systems or safari wildlife, then this super telephoto lens is your best bet! You can often find photographers on a pro sports field using this lens, with a monopod of course because its BIG!
Some final notes:
- The higher the number, the more “magnified” the image
- The higher the number, the more the background is blurred
- The lower the number, the more a background is in focus. To get the blurred effect you should check out a 1.4 or 1.2.
- The lower the number, the more lens distortion
- Larger numbers mean larger, heavier lenses
- 4.0, 2.8, 1.8, 1.4, 1.2 — These are the lenses aperture, meaning larger glass, larger lens
No matter what kind of lens you choose, understanding these focal lengths will help guide your decision making so you can get the best results possible. Now that you know the top 10 camera lens focal lengths and what they’re best used for, it’s time to get out there and start shooting!
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