| Even the simplest of compact cameras comes | | | | have a wide-angle setting or 28mm or 35mm. If |
| with a built-in wide-angle lens. But the view this | | | | you want something wider you will need specialist |
| range of focal lengths provides is essential for the | | | | wide-angle zoom (such as a 17- 35mm) or to opt |
| tourist | | | | for a fixed focal length lens, such as a 24mm. |
| Since zoom lenses have become the norm for | | | | Wide-angle converters can also be bought to |
| both SLR and compact users, most | | | | extend the range of the built-in lenses on some |
| photographers now have instant access to both | | | | digital cameras. |
| telephoto and wide-angle lens settings. But the | | | | At work or play |
| exact range of focal lengths available varies | | | | A wide-angle is not the obvious choice of lens for |
| significantly from zoom to zoom. | | | | a portrait. However, the broad angle of view can |
| For those still using mm film, a wide-angle lens is | | | | be extremely useful if you want to show the |
| one which has a focal length of mm or less. A | | | | room that the person is sitting in - or give an |
| wide-angle lens on APS and digital cameras, which | | | | indication of the work that they do. A 28mm lens |
| have a smaller image, will have a shorter focal | | | | shows more about the way of life of a person at |
| length - but most manufacturers will refer to its | | | | work than any close-up of his face could possibly |
| equivalent 35mm-format length for simple | | | | do. |
| comparison. | | | | Foreground emphasis |
| For many travel destinations, a wide- angle is the | | | | One of the problems of a wide-angle lens is that it |
| most obvious focal length to use. It gives a wide | | | | can give undue emphasis to the foreground. This |
| view that is ideal for panoramic landscapes, and | | | | often means that you deliberately have to |
| for shooting the exteriors and interiors of buildings. | | | | arrange the composition so that this space is not |
| It is the essential choice when you want to show | | | | 'empty'. |
| everything in front of you - particularly when | | | | A helping hand in tight corners |
| obstructions stop you from moving any further | | | | Typically when photographing buildings you are |
| away from the subject. | | | | restricted in how far you can go so as to fit |
| Wide-angle lenses can also be useful for pictures | | | | everything in. Walls, roads or other buildings get in |
| of people -when you want to show the | | | | the way of using more distant viewpoint so the |
| environment in which they work as well as their | | | | only alternative is to use a wider lens setting. |
| appearance. A typical all-purpose SLR zoom will | | | | |