Telephoto Lenses Explained - The Quick Guide to Understanding Telephoto Lenses

Understanding telephoto lenses is the easy part of2. Lens Mount - the lens mount is the way the
selecting a lens to buy for your digital SLRlens 'fits' on the camera body. Manufacturers have
camera. Selecting the right lens in the shape andtheir own specific design so that you must buy
size that fits your needs is the hard part! Therelenses specific to that camera and that
are only a few major camera brands and modelsmanufacturer. There are third party lens makers
to choose a camera from but the number ofbut when selecting one of their lenses you must
lenses available will make your head spin! How doselect the style of lens with your camera brand's
you find the best Nikon telephoto lenses? How docompatible mount.
you select the best telephoto lens for an Olympus3. Right Lens for Right Job - knowing what you
camera? How do you know which telephotointend to use the lens to capture helps you
lenses for Canon Rebel cameras are right for thenarrow the decision of the type of lens to
right job? Which sigma telephoto lenses for Nikonpurchase. You must know the focal length of the
D80 is the one for you? Where do you go to gettypes of pictures you wish to take as well as the
telephoto lenses explained?maximum aperture. A normal lens is akin to what
If you are overwhelmed by the choices you arethe human eye sees (usually a 50mm lens that
not alone. Digital SLR lenses come in all shapes andcomes standard on a 35 mm camera). A zoom
sized and prices! Some are for amateurlens (telephoto lens) lets us 'see' beyond the
photographers and others are designed specificallyhuman eye. We can 'see' much further with a
for professionals who need a studio work lens liketelephoto lens than we can normally. It enhances
a Tiffen close up lens or journalists need sportsand expands our view. The larger the lens number
telephoto lenses.in mm the greater the distance the lens can
So let's have a look at the basics of lens selectionshoot. If you are shooting birds on the far side of
and the driving factors for this important andthe river you will want a 300-750mm perhaps. If
potentially really expensive investment:you are on the sidelines at your kids' lacrosse
game you might prefer a 200-500mm lens. Like
1. Camera Type - what brand of camera youyour dad always said, "Choose the right tool for
have DOES determine lens compatibility. Not allthe right job!"
brands are interchangeable. Just like cars,It does not matter if you are looking for the best
manufacturers won't you dedicated to their brand.Nikon telephoto lenses or telephoto lenses for
Camera lenses now must 'talk' to the camera.Canon Rebel cameras. Even if you want to find
That is how aperture settings get automaticallythe right Sigma camera lens that are compatible
changed by the camera's input. Due to that yourwith your Olympus DSLR, selection is all based on
camera and your lens have to speak the samepersonal choice of digital lens length and
'language'...the language of Nikon lenses to Nikonunderstanding telephoto lenses.
cameras and Canon lies to Canon Camera.