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What’s Your Focal Length?

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All About Photography Focal Length and Lenses from @Gayle Vehar via lilblueboo.com

Don’t let the fact that I am going to write a whole post here about focal length fool you. Focal length seems like it could be a little boring. It is probably the fact that it is measured in millimeters and sounds all “mathy!” But knowing a little about it can help you use and choose your lenses wisely.

What is Focal Length?

In easy terms, focal length will determine how much of the scene in front of you your camera will see and be able to photograph. It is referring to the numbers on your lens that might read something like this: 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 50mm, or 35mm.

Some words you might hear related to focal length are “wide-angle” or “telephoto.”

“Wide-angle” refers to focal length numbers like 18mm and 24mm—the smaller numbers. These focal lengths will help you take in a large sweeping scene. They are great for architecture or landscapes, but not flattering for people because they tend to distort things and make them look wider. When was the last time you wanted to look wider or larger than you really are? Never? I thought so!

“Telephoto” refers to focal length numbers like 85mm and 200mm—the larger numbers. These focal lengths will narrow how much of the scene your camera takes in and help far away things appear closer. Most people call this “zooming in” on your subject because though you may be far from your subject, they can fill your frame. Pretty much everything between 85mm and 200mm would be considered a telephoto focal length!

Telephoto focal lengths are great for wildlife, sports, and portraits. These lenses are nice for portraits because they tend to distort in the opposite way that wide-angle lenses do–smaller and thinner. When was the last time you wanted to appear smaller or thinner? This very second? I thought so ;)!

 

Photography Focal Length and Lenses from @Gayle Vehar via lilblueboo.com

Zoom vs. Fixed Focal Length Lenses

Zoom lenses allow you to use a variety of focal lengths with just one lens. If you are using an 18-55mm lens, you can use any focal length between those numbers while standing in one spot to change the scene that fills your viewfinder. However, most zoom lenses limit your widest aperture significantly to either f/3.5 or f/5.6.

Fixed focal length lenses only allow you ONE focal length. When I use my 50mm lens, I can ONLY shoot at 50mm. If I want my subject to appear closer and fill up my viewfinder, I have to actually MOVE closer to them with my feet. However, these lenses offer the widest options for apertures. Even the cheapest of these lenses generally give you a widest aperture of f/1.8!

 

Gayle Vehar for lilblueboo.com

About Ashley Hackshaw

Living a simple, creative life in #smalltownusa Bryson City, NC. Renovating a 1960s ranch house and an old train depot. Thank you for reading! Read more in my about section. 

Comments

  1. Rose D., Frenchtown, NJ says

    Thanks for this post. I just received my Tamron 18-200 mm and I’ve been practicing up a storm!!!

  2. lisacng says

    I have a 50mm on a crop sensor camera so what’s the lowest focal length you think I should go without distorting people? Thanks!

    • GayleV says

      The only focal length you have is 50mm on a 50mm lens. A 50mm lens is a good focal length and shouldn’t distort your subjects at all.

  3. Katia Sergio says

    Can you recomend me a camara. I would love to buy one with advanced features to learn how to shot amazing photos,

    Thank you

    • Heather says

      For someone just learning how to use one of those cameras, I recommend the Canon Rebel T3… It’s advanced enough to give you professional results, yet simple enough to learn on 🙂

      • Katia Sergio says

        thank you Heather, I love pictures with blur background. Does the REbel T3 would do that for me??

        • Heather says

          Yes, it can… The best way to get that would be to purchase another lens to go with it… For that look, I’d say go with the 50mm f/1.8 lens… It is the most affordable, and is quite good! (I have not personally tried this lens yet, but a friend of mine is a wedding photographer, and says she has shot whole weddings with this lens, and loves it)

          • Lisa says

            Hi Katia! Heather is correct! The lens is what is going to give you that nice blurry background. I have both the 50 mm 1.8 and 1.4. The 1.4 is better but you can’t beat the price of the 1.8 and it’s great for a beginner 🙂

          • KatiaSergio says

            Lisa and Heather
            Thank you very much!!! Do you know where can I get the best price for this two items I need to start. I live in NJ and in NY there is a B&H Store, do you have a sugestion where I can get it for a good price??

            Thanks again,

            I love photography posts. I always wanted to learn. There is never late to do it 🙂

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