Telephoto lens facts for kids

In photography, a telephoto lens is a lens. There are two different uses of the word. The less specific use is to mean a lens that has a longer focal length than a normal lens. Their angle of view is smaller than that of a normal lens. With telephoto lenses things look closer than they really are.

The other meaning of telephoto lens applies to lenses that are constructed in a special way so they can be shorter than their focal length.

For 35 mm film, 50 mm is a normal focal length. Typical telephoto lenses are 85 mm (28°50') and 100 mm (24°). They are used for portraits mostly. Other telephoto lenses that are used often are 135 mm (18°), 180 mm and 200 mm. Many are zoom lenses.

Longer focal lengths (300 to 1200 mm) are used in sports and nature photography.

Different focal lengths

Effect of different focal lengths on photographs taken from the same place:

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  28 mm

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  50 mm

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  70 mm

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  210 mm

The above photos were taken using a 35 mm camera, using lenses of the given focal lengths.

Images for kids

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  A collection of telephoto lenses

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  A 150–500mm telephoto zoom lens

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  A Canon F-1, 35mm camera with a telephoto zoom lens.

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  A 500 mm lens