Module 3

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

FOCAL LENGTH AND TYPES OF LENSES

 Subtopic 1

Focal Length
Focal Length
Focal Length
Lenses are generally categorized in terms of focal
length, with is measure in millimeters (mm), such
as 30 mm, 200mm, and so forth.
Focal Length

Source: http://static.trustedreviews.com/94/e550c3/b43c/3973-FocalLength-diag.gif
Focal Length
The most common lens type are called a zoom
lens, provides a range of focal lengths, whereas a
prime lens provides a fixed focal length; it does
not zoom.

Whether your lens zooms or not, focal lengths are

usually described as normal wide-angle or
telephoto
Focal Length
Understanding f-stops numbers

At first glance, f-stop numbers can be confusing.

To begin with, higher-number f-stops lets in less
light, and lower-numbered f-stops let in more.
Moreover, the number s seemingly make no sense.
f/8 allows four times as much light to pass through
a lens as f/16, even though mathematically 16 is
only twice 8.
Focal Length
Focal length is not a physical measurement of a
lens, per se, but rather an optical measurement
having to do with where light rays converge inside
the lens.
Focal Length
In simple terms, focal length is
determined by measuring the
distance between the optical center of
a lens and the image sensor, when
the lens is focused at its furtherest
focusing distance.
Focal Length
Understanding f-stops numbers

The f-stop represents the relationship

between the size of the lens opening and its
focal length. It is derived by dividing the
measured diameter of a particular lens
opening in to the focal-length setting of the
lens.
Focal Length
Understanding f-stops numbers
For example, suppose you have a lens zoomed to a focal
length of 60 mm. If the diameter of the lens opening
measures 15 mm, you have an f-stop of f/4 – 60 divided by
15. A diameter measuring 10 mm is f/6 (between f/5.6 and
f/8) – 60 divided by 10.
60 mm 15 mm
(focal length) (lens aperture)

÷ = f/4
Focal Length
The short-focal-length lenses produce a narrower view.
Here “short” and long refer to the optical measurement,
not the physical size, of a lens,

One 18-to-335 mm zoom lens may be physically longer or

shorter than another 18-to-135 mm focal-length lens
depending on how the optics are designed. And while a
300 mm lens has a longer focal length than a 200mm lens,
it may or may not be physically longer.
Focal Length
The view a lens provides is referred to as its
angle of view – how much it sees and captures.
Angle of view is associated with image
magnification – how large or small the subject
appears when your viewing it.
Focal Length
SHORT-FOCAL-LENGTH LENSES have wide angle view,
which makes their subjects appear smaller and farther away.

LONG-FOCAL-LENGTH LENSES have a narrow angle of view

and magnify their, subjects, making them look larger and closer.
Focal Length
Focal Length, Angle of View and Image Size Sensor

The focal length of your lens is a primary factor in

establishing the angle of view of an image – how
much it sees and captures. Regardless of the
camera you use, a long focal length sees a
narrower angle of use, a long focal length sees a
narrower angle of view and magnifies the subject
more than a short-focal-length lens.
Focal Length
Normal focal length
A normal focal length reproduce the subject much
as your eyes sees it – at a standard magnification,
not bigger and not smaller. It provides an angle of
view about 45˚.

This is good angle for a variety of purposes,

including general photography of people, places,
and landscapes.
A normal focal length provides nearly distortion-
free view of the subject – it looks natural, not
round or flat.
Focal Length
Focal Length
Focal Length
Wide angle focal length A wide-angle focal length sees and
records a broader view than normal,
resulting in reduced image
magnification. Subject viewed at a
wide angle appear smaller and farther
away than they really are.

A wide-angle view is especially useful

when you’re working in a tight space
and can’t physically move back far
enough to take in an entire subject,
such as when photographing
architecture (inside and out) and broad
landscapes scenes.
Focal Length
Wide Angle focal length

Source: http://www.ontakingpictures.com/postImages/Mary_focallength1.jpg
Focal Length
Wide angle focal length A wide-angle view may produce a
curved distortion, with subjects at
the center of the frame popping out,
and area at the edge receding.

This effect is especially noticeable

with extreme wide-angle views, close
and even dramatic in some
situations, such as photographing in
close space or on the street
candidly.
Focal Length
Wide Angle focal length
Focal Length
Telephoto focal length

A telephoto focal length sees and records a

more narrow view than normal, resulting in
greater image magnification. Subjects viewed
through telephoto appear larger and closer
than they really are – much as they would
through a telescope.
Focal Length
Telephoto focal length

A telephoto can view especially useful when

you can’t get physically close enough to
you subject, or when you don’t want to,
such as when photographing wildlife,
sports action (from the sidelines), distant
landscape, or candid portraits.
Focal Length
Telephoto focal length

Like, wide-angle, telephoto can produce

distortion , but in a different kind. A
telephoto view makes the subject look
closer and the space compressed, so
subject appears flattened. Foreground
and background appears closer together.
Focal Length
Telephoto focal length

http://photographylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/600mm-1200mm-FoV.jpg
 Subtopic 2

Types of Lenses
Types of Lens
Types of Lens
• 18mm – 55mm
(standard)
• Macro Lens
• Telephoto Lens
• Wide-angle Lens –
Landscape shoots
• Fish-Eye Lens
Types of Lens
• 18mm – 55mm
(standard)
Types of Lens
• Macro Lens
Types of Lens
• Telephoto Lens
Types of Lens
• Wide-angle Lens –
Landscape shoots
Types of Lens
• Fish-Eye Lens
Telephoto and Wide-Angle Lens Shots
DOF in Macro
FOCAL LENGTH (Using Different Lenses) – Any subjects
1. Normal Focal Length - 2 images
2. Wide Angle Focal Length - 2 images
3. Telephoto Focal Length - 2 images
4. Macro Lens - 2 images

(LENS BREAKDOWN)
▪ 18mm – 55mm (Normal Focal, Student Plaza, Room)
▪ Macro Lens – Food Photography, Small objects, jewellery
▪ Telephoto Lens – (Student Plaza, Architectural)
▪ Wide-angle Lens –(Student Plaza, Landscape shoots
▪ Fish-Eye Lens – (Distortion, Wide angle lens type
▪ To be confirmed if available
▪ If not, use the wide angle. Subject is
human face to see distortion