Unit 57 – Photography Lenses

Lenses of different focal lengths allow photographers to have more creative control 1.Standard lens 2.Wide-angle lens 3.Telephoto lens 4.Macro lens Why do we use different lenses?

On a 35mm camera the standard lens has a focal length of 50mm. The standard lens produces image with a perspective close to the human eye.

On digital cameras the sensor is often smaller than the 35mm frame. This means that the focal length of a lens is effectively 1.5x longer. So a 50mm lens on a digital camera is effectively a 75mm lens. A 35mm lens on a digital camera is effectively a 50mm lens.

Wide-angle lenses have: 1.A wider field of view – they show more 2.A bigger depth of field for any given aperture 3.A greater sense of space – they extend perspective Wide-angle lenses are typically used for landscape and architectural photography and have a focal length less than 50mm

Telephoto lenses have: 1.A smaller field of view – they magnify the image 2.A small depth of field for any given aperture 3.A smaller sense of space – they compress perspective Telephoto lenses are typically used for wildlife and sports photography and have a focal length greater than 50mm

200mm telephoto lens 80mm telephoto lens 50mm standard lens 21mm wide-angle lens

Macro lenses have an ability to focus much closer to the subject than normal lenses. Attachments such as extension tubes and bellows fit between the camera and lens and allow normal lenses to be used for close-up photography

Macro lenses come in a range of focal lengths but all have the ability to focus much closer than normal lenses

Filters can be used on lenses to enhance or change the image. Neutral density filters act like sunglasses to cut down the amount of light reaching the film or sensor. They come in a range of strengths.

Yellow, orange and red filters can be used with black and white film to make blue skies appear darker

21mm 50mm 80mm 35mm200mm

50mm200mm21mm

Wide-angle lensTelephoto lens

Task for today: In your groups each person must take a series of pictures that show the properties of: Wide-angle lenses Standard lenses Telephoto lenses