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Focal Length Explained: What Lens is Right for You?

Byinfo@bergreenphotography.com

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a shelf full of lenses, wondering which one is the perfect choice for your photos, you’re not alone. The process of selecting the ideal lens can feel overwhelming, but today we’re breaking it down step by step. By the end of this guide, you’ll understand different focal lengths well, their unique characteristics, and how to choose the right lens for your photography style.

Understanding Focal Length

Focal length is a fundamental concept in photography that determines how much of a scene your lens can capture. Measured in millimeters, focal length affects both the angle of view and the depth of field.

Here’s how it works in simple terms. If you want more detail, keep reading as we’ll get into the nitty gritty but I want to try to help you actually understand if in a way that helps you.

Wide-angle lenses (16-35mm):

Capture more of the scene with a broad field of view, making them ideal for landscapes and architecture.

Standard lenses (35mm, 50mm):

Closely mimic how the human eye sees, offering a natural perspective perfect for portraits and general photography.

Telephoto lenses (85mm-200mm+):

Zoom in on distant subjects, compressing the background and foreground for stunning wildlife or sports shots.

The right range of focal lengths and length will help you tell your story by controlling the amount of the scene included, how the subject interacts with the background, and the overall composition.

Choosing the Right Focal Length for Your Photography Style

To make the best lens choice, consider your photography style, the type of scenes you capture, and the specific results you’re aiming for. Let’s dive into different genres and the lenses best suited for each.

Landscape Photography

For landscapes, wide-angle lenses like 16-35mm or 24mm are essential. These lenses allow you to capture sweeping vistas, dramatic skies, and grand perspectives.

My Favorites for Sony include:

My favorites for Canon include:

Pro Tip: Landscape photographers often prioritize image quality over aperture size. Lenses with f/4 apertures are more affordable and lightweight than their f/2.8 counterparts, making them great for daytime shoots.

Alternative Options: A telephoto lens, such as a 100-400mm, can add variety by isolating distant features in the landscape.

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand lenses that flatter your subject and create beautiful background separation:

85mm: The gold standard for headshots and close-ups. It offers a natural compression that enhances facial features and creamy bokeh for background separation.

My favorites for Sony include:

My favorites for Canon include:

50mm: Ideal for full-body portraits, environmental shots, and general versatility.

My favorites for Sony include:

My favorites for Canon include:

35mm: Best for environmental portraits where the subject’s surroundings play a significant role in the story.

My favorites for Sony include:

My favorites for Canon include:

Prime lenses with low apertures (e.g., f/1.8 or f/1.4) are the go-to choice for portraits, offering better bokeh and sharper results than zooms.

Wedding and Event Photography

Wedding and event photographers need flexibility to capture a variety of moments in dynamic environments.

24-70mm Zoom: A versatile workhorse, standard lens ideal for wide angle, venue shots, and tighter portraits without switching lenses.

My favorites include:

Prime Lens Setup: A two-camera system with a 35mm and 85mm lens offers exceptional image quality and creative control.

My favorites for Sony include:

My favorites for Canon include:

Low-Light Performance: Weddings often require shooting in dimly lit venues, making low-aperture zooms or primes essential for sharp, well-exposed images.

Wildlife Photography

Capturing wildlife often means shooting from a distance. For this reason, telephoto lenses are a must:

70-200mm: A popular option for versatility.

100-400mm or 150-600mm: Ideal for serious wildlife photographers who need to isolate distant subjects.

Sigma 60-600mm: Offers excellent image quality and a 10x optical zoom range for maximum versatility.

Image stabilization is especially important for longer focal lengths to counteract motion blur.

Travel and Street Photography

When traveling or shooting street photography, compact cameras and versatile lenses are key:

35mm: Wide enough to capture scenes but not so wide that it distorts details, perfect for storytelling.

50mm: Excellent for capturing candid moments with a more intimate feel.

Zoom Lenses: A 24-70mm or 16-35mm zoom lens that provides flexibility without adding too much bulk.

Astrophotography

For capturing the night sky, you need a lens that gathers as much light as possible:

  • 14mm to 24mm Wide-Angle Lenses: Great for expansive skies and Milky Way shots.

  • Fast Apertures (f/2.8 or Faster): Crucial for sharp, bright photos in low light.

My recommendations are:

Product, Food, and Macro Photography

Close-up photography demands precision and detail:

Macro Lenses (50mm to 90mm): Designed for capturing intricate textures and details.

My suggestions:

Alternative Option: In a pinch, 50mm or 85mm prime lens can work for general close-up shots but won’t offer true macro capabilities.

Beginners or Versatile Shooters

If you’re starting out or want a one camera lens, that does it all:

50mm f/1.8 (Nifty Fifty): Affordable, lightweight, and versatile, it’s a great entry point.

24-70mm Zoom: A do-it-all lens for multiple genres.

Wide-Angle Zoom (16-35mm): Fun for experimenting with landscapes and group shots.

Comparing Popular Focal Lengths

Each focal length serves a unique purpose. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:

  • 24mm: Excellent for wide scenes but prone to distortion in portraits.

  • 50mm: A versatile option for a variety of genres, though not ideal for tight spaces or distant subjects.

  • 85mm: Perfect for portraits with flattering compression and background blur.

  • 100mm+: Great for isolating distant subjects, like wildlife or sports.

Aperture and Distance: Key Considerations

While focal length determines your perspective and field of view, aperture plays a crucial role in controlling light and a shallow depth of field:

  • Wide Apertures (f/1.4, f/1.8): Ideal for low-light conditions and achieving creamy bokeh.

  • Narrower Apertures (f/4, f/5.6): Suitable for landscapes and scenarios where sharpness across the frame is essential.

Summary: Finding Your Perfect Lens

The right lens depends on your photography style, goals, and budget. Consider these recommendations:

  • Wide Scenes: 16-35mm or 24mm.

  • Portraits: 50mm or 85mm.

  • Versatility: 24-70mm zoom.

Take the time to identify your preferred genres and shooting scenarios. You can also analyze your existing photo catalog—filter by focal length to see which one you naturally gravitate toward.

By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each focal length, you’ll make more informed choices, avoid wasting money, and elevate your photography. Let us know in the comments which lens is your favorite and why—we’d love to hear from you!

Camera Lens Basics

What is a Camera Lens?

A camera lens is a crucial component of a camera that focuses light onto the image sensor to capture images. Camera lenses come in various types, including prime lenses, zoom lenses, ultra wide angle front-angle lenses, telephoto lenses, and macro lenses.

Focal Length Explained

What is Focal Length?

Focal length is the distance between the camera’s image sensor and the optical center of the lens when the lens is focused at infinity. Focal length is measured in millimeters (mm) and determines the angle of view and magnification of the image.Different focal lengths are suitable for various types of photography, such as landscape photography, portrait, and wildlife photography.

Lens Types

Prime Lenses

Prime lenses have a fixed focal length and are known for their high image quality and wide aperture. These prime lenses are ideal for portrait photography, street photography, and low-light photography. Examples of prime lenses include 50mm, 85mm, and 135mm lenses.

Zoom Lenses

Zoom lenses have a variable focal length and offer flexibility and convenience. ThesezZoom lenses are suitable for various types of photography, including landscape, wildlife, and sports photography. Examples of zoom lenses include 24-70mm, 70-200mm, and 100-400mm lenses.

Telephoto Lens

Telephoto lenses have a long focal length (typically above 70mm) and are used to capture distant subjects. That’s why telephoto lenses are ideal for wildlife, sports, and portrait photography. Telephoto lenses can compress the perspective, making distant objects to appear closer together.

Aperture and Lens Speed

Understanding Aperture

Aperture is the measure of how much light enters the camera through the lens. Aperture is represented by the f-number (e.g., f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6). A lower f-number indicates a larger aperture, which allows more light to enter the camera.

Sensor Size and Compatibility

Camera sensors come in different sizes, including full-frame, APS-C, and Micro Four Thirds. Lens compatibility depends on the camera body and sensor size. It’s essential to choose a lens that is compatible with your camera body and sensor size.

How to Choose the Right Lens

Consider Your Photography Style

Consider the type of photography you want to do (e.g., landscape, portrait, wildlife). Think about the camera body and sensor size you have. Research different lenses and their characteristics.

Check Lens Features

Check the lens’s focal length, aperture, and image stabilization. Consider the lens’s weight, size, and build quality. Read reviews and compare different lenses.

Additional Considerations

Image Stabilization

Image stabilization helps reduce camera shake and blur. Look for lenses with optical image stabilization (OIS) or electronic image stabilization (EIS).

Lens Compression

Lens compression occurs when a telephoto lens makes objects appear closer together. Consider a lens with a long focal length (e.g., 200mm, 300mm) for compression effects.

Conclusion

Choosing the right camera lens depends on various factors, including your photography style, camera body, and sensor size. Understand the characteristics of different lenses, including focal length, aperture, and image stabilization. Research and compare different lenses to find the best one for your needs.

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Interested in more content like this? What else do you want to hear about?

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About the Authors

We’re the Bergreens, a photography team based in Evergreen Colorado. On the blog, we share my favorite gear tips. You can find everything you need to know about drone photography including drone accessories as well as more gear guides such as this ND filter guide.

Be sure to check out how to shoot with the 70-200mm lens or this 35mm to 50mm comparison. Download our free guide on how to build a creative business and a life you love. If we link to a product we love, Amazon links are affiliate links.

Download our free guide on how to build a creative business and a life you love or our free money and gear guide for photographers. Don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know how we can help! If we link to a product we love, Amazon links are affiliate links.

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