Telephoto lens facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

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

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

Different focal lengths

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

  • Angleofview 28mm f4

    28 mm

  • Angleofview 50mm f4

    50 mm

  • Angleofview 70mm f4

    70 mm

  • Angleofview 210mm f4

    210 mm

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

Images for kids

  • Minolta Rokkor Teleobjektive

    A collection of telephoto lenses

  • Canon Teleobjektiv (29909576375)

    Canon super telephoto lens

  • Sigma 150-500 APO HSM

    A 150–500mm telephoto zoom lens

  • 35mm Camera I

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

  • 500mm telephoto lens 01

    A 500 mm lens of a non-telephoto design


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Telephoto lens Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.