Focal length
The focal length of a lens is the distance between the optical center of the lens and the place where it focuses its image (film or digital CCD chip) and is expressed in millimeters. This determines the area of coverage from narrow to wide. Digital cameras generally rate their focal lengths as equivalent to 35mm film camera lenses.
20mm or less = Extreme Wide Angle
24mm to 35mm = Wide Angle
50mm to 80mm = Normal
100mm to 300mm = Telephoto
400mm and above = Super Telephoto
Macro mode or lens
This enables close-up photos of small objects. Good cameras have a macro mode built into their lenses.
Normal lens
Usually a 55mm focal length equivalent and is the most commonly used fixed lens.
Wide angle
A lens less than 35mm focal length equivalent. It allows shooting a more inclusive image in tight spaces. Lenses much wider than 28mm are referred to as fish-eye lenses because of their image
distortion.
Telephoto Lenses
with more than 55mm focal length equivalent. These usually range from 75mm to over 1000mm and are used to snap photos of subjects at a distance.
Zoom lenses
have variable focal lengths and can be changed from wide angle to normal to telephoto. Digital cameras feature both optical and digital zooms. Optical zooms result in highest quality.
Interchangeable
Prosumer and professional cameras permit the use of different lenses lenses. These can range from wide angle to telephoto. Some digital cameras allow the use of the same manufacturers film camera
lenses for flexibility.
Lens extenders
These are available to multiply the magnification of zoom or macro lenses. They attach to the camera’s lens. Some cameras don’t accept extenders.
Filters
Better quality cameras allow the use of filters on the end of the camera lens. These can compensate for light color differences and can create special effects.
Most digital cameras, from consumer to prosumer, come with non-changeable optical zoom lenses. Most also have digital zoom features. Buy the camera with the largest zoom ratio you can afford. They range from 1.2x to 10x or more.
The focal length of a lens is the distance between the optical center of the lens and the place where it focuses its image (film or digital CCD chip) and is expressed in millimeters. This determines the area of coverage from narrow to wide. Digital cameras generally rate their focal lengths as equivalent to 35mm film camera lenses.
20mm or less = Extreme Wide Angle
24mm to 35mm = Wide Angle
50mm to 80mm = Normal
100mm to 300mm = Telephoto
400mm and above = Super Telephoto
Macro mode or lens
This enables close-up photos of small objects. Good cameras have a macro mode built into their lenses.
Normal lens
Usually a 55mm focal length equivalent and is the most commonly used fixed lens.
Wide angle
A lens less than 35mm focal length equivalent. It allows shooting a more inclusive image in tight spaces. Lenses much wider than 28mm are referred to as fish-eye lenses because of their image
distortion.
Telephoto Lenses
with more than 55mm focal length equivalent. These usually range from 75mm to over 1000mm and are used to snap photos of subjects at a distance.
Zoom lenses
have variable focal lengths and can be changed from wide angle to normal to telephoto. Digital cameras feature both optical and digital zooms. Optical zooms result in highest quality.
Interchangeable
Prosumer and professional cameras permit the use of different lenses lenses. These can range from wide angle to telephoto. Some digital cameras allow the use of the same manufacturers film camera
lenses for flexibility.
Lens extenders
These are available to multiply the magnification of zoom or macro lenses. They attach to the camera’s lens. Some cameras don’t accept extenders.
Filters
Better quality cameras allow the use of filters on the end of the camera lens. These can compensate for light color differences and can create special effects.
Most digital cameras, from consumer to prosumer, come with non-changeable optical zoom lenses. Most also have digital zoom features. Buy the camera with the largest zoom ratio you can afford. They range from 1.2x to 10x or more.
