Choosing the right focal length lens depends primarily on what you want to capture in your photograph and the desired perspective. Here’s how you can approach this decision:
Understanding Focal Length
Focal length, measured in millimeters (mm), determines the field of view and magnification of a lens. A shorter focal length provides a wider field of view, while a longer focal length provides a narrower field of view and magnifies the subject.
Choosing Based on Subject
The type of subject you intend to capture should guide your selection:
Wide Focal Lengths (e.g., 16mm, 24mm, 35mm)
- Ideal for:
- Landscapes: Capturing expansive scenes with long leading lines.
- Architecture: Fitting entire buildings into the frame.
- Environmental Portraits: Showing subjects within their surroundings.
- Street Photography: Including a wide view of the scene.
- Characteristics:
- Wider field of view.
- Often have greater depth of field (more of the scene in focus).
- Can introduce distortion, especially at very short focal lengths.
- According to the reference: Wide focal length lenses, like 16mm, 24mm, or 35mm, thrive when you want the entire scene in focus, like when shooting simple landscapes with long leading lines.
Standard Focal Lengths (e.g., 50mm)
- Ideal for:
- General-purpose photography.
- Everyday snapshots.
- Portraits with a natural perspective.
- Characteristics:
- Field of view is similar to human vision.
- Balanced between wide and telephoto.
- Versatile for many subjects.
Telephoto Focal Lengths (e.g., 70mm, 135mm, 200mm)
- Ideal for:
- Portraits: Isolating subjects and creating background blur.
- Wildlife: Capturing distant subjects.
- Sports: Bringing the action closer.
- Isolating textures and distant features to create dramatic backgrounds
- Characteristics:
- Narrow field of view.
- Compresses perspective, making backgrounds appear closer to the subject.
- Often requires a tripod for stability.
- According to the reference: Choosing a long focal length lens, like 70mm, 135mm, or 200mm, is wise to isolate textures and distant features to create dramatic backgrounds.
Practical Considerations
- Your Style: Consider the types of photographs you like to take most often.
- Budget: Lenses can vary greatly in price, so budget accordingly.
- Space Limitations: Choose a lens based on the amount of space you have available.
- Intended Use: Select the most appropriate focal length for the task at hand.
Examples
- If you want to capture a vast landscape with mountain ranges and a winding river, a wide-angle lens (16mm - 35mm) will include everything in your shot.
- For a headshot, you'd likely prefer a telephoto lens (85mm - 135mm) to isolate the subject and blur the background.
By thinking about the subject and considering these factors, you can choose the focal length that best suits your needs.
