The different camera lenses

Choosing a lens is essential in photography: it determines the field of view, the framing, the magnification, and the rendering of the different planes. There are several major families of lenses, each suited to particular shooting situations.

The normal focal length lens

On a 24 × 36 mm sensor, a focal length of about 50 mm is considered a normal focal length. Its field of view is close to human vision and provides a relatively natural rendering.

It is a versatile focal length, suitable for many situations, especially when you want to maintain natural proportions in the image.

Wide-angle lenses

Wide-angle lenses are generally shorter than 50 mm on a 24 × 36 format.

They allow for a wide field of view, which is particularly useful when the photographer lacks physical backing space. The edges of the image may also show more distortion. In low-angle shots, lines may converge upward in particular.

They are especially suited for architectural, landscape photography, or situations requiring a wide field of view. They can also be used to intentionally create an exaggeration effect.

Some wide-angle lenses also feature shift movements, which are particularly interesting for architectural photography.

Long focal length lenses

Long focal length lenses, greater than 50 mm on a 24 × 36 format, have a narrower field of view than human vision.

They make it possible to frame a subject located at a distance and give the impression of compressing the different planes of the image, with less pronounced vanishing lines. They can also be used when the photographer cannot get closer to the subject or when they wish to limit the depth of field.

Telephoto lenses

Telephoto lenses, generally beyond 100 mm in 24 × 36, have a focal length much greater than the diagonal of the sensor and therefore a greatly reduced field of view.

They allow you to photograph very distant subjects without having to get close to them. They are particularly suitable for wildlife and sports photography, and when the subject must be photographed from a distance.

Macrophotographic lenses

Macro lenses are designed to photograph subjects with high magnification, reaching or exceeding a 1:1 ratio.

They allow for extremely close focusing to the subject while maintaining high image quality. They are particularly used for photographing small subjects.

Variable focal length lenses: Zoom lenses

Zoom lenses have a variable focal length thanks to a system consisting of numerous elements grouped into several lens groups.

Their main advantage is replacing several prime lenses with a single lens. They therefore offer great versatility and prevent the constant need to change lenses.

On the other hand, depending on the model, this versatility may come with compromises regarding optical quality, weight, or maximum aperture.

Apochromatic and special lenses

Apochromatic lenses are designed to correct multiple optical aberrations, including chromatic, spherical, and coma. They are particularly suited for applications requiring high precision, such as reproduction work or specific imaging techniques.

There are also special lenses, designed to meet specific photographic needs.