You are not alone if you feel confused about zoom lenses and when to use one. There are numerous terminologies and accessories, including lenses, in the photographic world. These can make it difficult for anyone starting photography to make good choices about the things to purchase and those to neglect. To curb this challenge, we always advise new photographers to narrow down or focus on specific forms of photography; this will allow easy selection or purchase of camera lenses.
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When it comes to wildlife photography or astrophotography, you cannot always get close to your subjects as you ought to; you have to shoot the images from a distance. Zoom lenses allow you to take the shots you need seamlessly. Today, we will discuss what zoom lenses are, when and how to use them, how they work, their benefits, types, and how they differ from other lenses. At the end of the article, you will learn how to capture good photographs with these lenses.
What Are Zoom Lenses?
A zoom lens is a lens that can vary its focal length. It is also called or referred to as a variable focal lens. Its user can adjust it to cover any focal length without changing position. They are used to photograph scenes with a lot of depth of field, such as landscapes and architecture. Photographers also use zoom lenses to get a close-up view of their subjects by zooming in on the subject while maintaining the same angle of view.
Zooming in with a lens is different from cropping an image because it allows a photographer to change the image’s perspective without moving closer or further away. Unlike a prime lens, a variable focal lens offers the photographer a reasonable range of diverse focal lengths in a single lens.
Realistically, digital cameras are difficult to understand and operate. The Menu systems are filled with several options, making it difficult to get a perfect uniform setting. However, one must understand them to capture good photos.
We know that understanding the various types of cameras, settings, and techniques can be overwhelming if you are new to the photography industry. Thus, we have provided this master article – camera 101, to help all beginners and even experienced photographers understand their cameras.
Click Below to know all about Cameras, From start to end.
What Are The Types Of Zoom Lens?
Some of the most popular types of zoom or variable focal lenses may include:
- Wide-angle zoom lens
- Telephoto zoom lens
- Macro zoom lens
- Parfocal zoom lens
1. Wide-angle zoom lens
A wide-angle zoom lens allows the user or photographer to cover a wider field of view. It has a focal length range from 10mm to 35mm. This lens is ideal for architectural, landscape, and interior photography.
A wide-angle lens also reveals the difference in size and distance between objects in the foreground and background. You can also use it for astrophotography.
2. Telephoto zoom lens
A telephoto zoom lens has a longer focal length than the average and a narrower field of view. It is typically used for sports and wildlife photography and portrait works. It allows the photographer to compress perspective and create more depth in the image.
3. Macro zoom lens
Macro photographers use a macro or close-up or magnifying lens to capture crystal images of small entities like insects, jewelry, coins, stamps, and related subjects. It enlarges macro elements because of its higher magnification ratio.
4. Parfocal zoom lens
A parfocal lens, also called or referred to as true zooms, maintains its focus when the focal length and magnification are changed.
Note These Things And Learn How To Use Zoom Lenses Like A Pro
Many amateur photographers wrongly use their zoom lenses. A variable focal lens is not mainly for zooming in on pictures without changing position. It also offers you the choice between different focal lengths. Zoom lenses are easy to use.
However, to get improved effects on your images, you must take note of your:
- Focal length
- Depth of field
- Aperture
1. Focal length
The focal length of a camera lens determines the angle of view and the magnification. It tells us how much of the scene or subject will be captured and how the images will appear.
Before using a zoom lens, you should understand that the shorter the focal length, the wider the angle and the greater the magnification. The longer the focal length, the narrower angle and less magnification.
2. Depth of field
The depth of field is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in an image. When using a zoom lens, it’s important to remember that as you zoom in, your depth of field will narrow, and as you zoom out, your depth of field will widen. Therefore, you have to select the most suitable focal length and depth-of-field for the picture you want to shoot.
Note: You can control depth-of-field by changing the aperture size.
3. Aperture
An aperture is an opening in the lens which controls how much light reaches the camera sensor. When photographing with a variable focal lens, use a wide opening to blur the image background and a narrower aperture to keep all aspects sharp and in focus.
When Should You Use Zoom Lens?
A variable focal lens is one of the most powerful lenses in photography. In addition to zooming in on subjects, you can use a zoom lens when:
You want to change the composition of your photographs.
A zoom lens allows you to change or compose your images without changing your position. In a shooting situation whereby you cannot move or change your stance, a variable focal lens allows you to zoom in on the subjects.
You want to conserve space in your photography bag.
Due to a zoom lens’s variable focal length, you only have to harbor a single lens in your kit. You don’t have to carry different lenses with varying focal lengths. A zoom lens is the most suitable lens for minimalist and traveling photographers.
You want more depth of field and details in your photographs
Zoom lenses are specifically designed to allow the photographer a great deal of flexibility in zooming in on areas of interest to capture more detail. All it takes is a quick twist of the zoom ring, and you can shoot photographs of any point of attraction in the subjects.
Furthermore, you will need a zoom lens when engaging in any of the following forms of photography:
- Wildlife photography
- Sport photography
- Astrophotography
- Portrait photography
- Landscape photography, etc.
Zoom lenses are ideal for such sorts of photography because they allow you to get closer to your subjects without losing image quality.
Learn more on:
Wildlife photography – How To Do Little Bird Photography? Capture The Best Shots
Portrait photography – All You need to know about portrait photography. Start portrait photography today!
Astrophotography – Night Sky And Star Photography Tips For Beginners
What Are The Benefits Of Zoom Lenses?
Many professional and amateur photographers prefer zoom or variable focal lenses because of their flexibility and technical brilliance. Some of the benefits and advantages of these lenses over prime lenses include:
1. When it comes to wildlife photography, sports photography, or even just taking pictures of your family at the park, a zoom lens allows you to capture or include a large area (foreground) in the photos without changing position.
2. Zoom lenses allow you to capture more in one frame.
3. Zoom lenses are often lighter and easier to carry than other types of camera lenses with longer focal lengths.
4. With a variable focal lens, you can capture sharp and well-detailed images from a distance without having to worry about camera shakes. They provide quality photos.
5. Zoom lenses are incredibly fast.
Factors To Consider Before Buying A Variable Focal Lens?
Before purchasing a zoom lens, you should consider the following:
1. Your Photographic intention:
You need to know and understand your photographic intentions. By this, we mean your preferred form of photography. This will aid you in discovering the most suitable lens to purchase.
A wide-angle zoom lens will offer you a wide field of view. A telephoto zoom lens captures images of long-distance subjects. Therefore, before purchasing any zoom lens, discover your intentions.
2. The price:
Your budget is another important factor to consider when thinking of purchasing any of these zoom lenses. There are varieties of these lenses with different price tags.
3. Size of lenses to purchase
Zoom lenses usually range from 35mm to 100mm. Super zoom lenses can cover up to 300mm. In fact, some Sigma zoom lenses range from 60mm to 600mm. Therefore, it is also vital to know the best and required size for your shots.
After considering these factors; photographic intentions, budget, and required lens size, you can easily decide the one to purchase.
You can learn how to protect your lens in this article – When To Use A Lens Hood? And What Does A Lens Hood Do?
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People Also Ask
What Is The Difference Between A Zoom Lens And A Prime Lens
A zoom lens is a lens that can change its focal length to suit various shooting requirements. It is typically used for photography and filmmaking. On the other hand, a prime lens has a fixed focal length. Therefore, the main difference between the two is that a zoom lens can change its focal length while a prime lens has one fixed focal length.
What Is The Difference Between A Zoom Lens And A Telephoto Lens?
A zoom lens offers the photographer a chance to magnify or reduce distances between the object and the camera. On the other hand, a telephoto lens has a longer focal length which is ideal for compressive photo effects. However, it has a fixed focal length, which cannot be adjusted by zooming in or out like on a zoom lens.
What Is The Difference Between A Telephoto Lens And A Wide-angle Lens?
A telephoto lens is a lens that has a long focal length, meaning it can focus on objects that are far away. A wide-angle lens has a short focal length, which means it can take in more of the background.
In addition, wide-angle lenses are often used for landscape photography. Telephoto lenses allow for wildlife portraits and close-ups photos.