Zoom or Telephoto
Submitted by Mick on Fri, 2009-09-11 13:30
G'day guys
Wondering if the camera buffs here could explain the difference between a zoom lense and a telephoto lense and their different applications. Looking through some stuff last night and it did my head in. Also which books would you recommend to help a novice get the most out of DSLR photography predominantly sports (surfing etc ) and landscapes.
Cheers Mick
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If the lord did not mean for us to eat fish and game, he wouldn't have made them outta meat
The speed of light is faster than the speed of sound. That's why so many people appear bright...until they speak.
Sekans
Posts: 65
Date Joined: 31/01/08
A zoom lens is simply a lens
A zoom lens is simply a lens which can operate at various focal lengths as opposed to a fixed focal length lens, for example a 10-20mm lens is a zoom lens where as a 20mm lens is a fixed focal length lens. Contrary to what many people believe zoom does not always mean that you can get close up photos of objects far away. Telephoto refers to a lens with a long focal length, these lenses are what you would use to take a 'close up' photo of a far away object. I would normally call lenses with focal length range of about 100mm and up telephoto's. A 500mm lens will make the object appear much larger on your photograph than a 100mm lens would. I hope this somewhat explains it for you? Or maybe i've just confused you more... lol
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Hi Mick Have a look at this site. It has some good info
http://web.canon.jp/imaging/enjoydslr/part3/3C.html
Sorry I can't help you with the zoom/telephoto explanation, but I am sure Tailor Marc or Kaney will know.
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kaney68
Posts: 401
Date Joined: 29/07/08
Yep.. pretty much as Sekans mentioned above..
Hi Mick,
Yep.. pretty much as Sekans mentioned above..
Tele's have a fixed focal length- 100mm, 200mm, 300mm, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, 1200mm
A zoom lens gives you much more flexibility with composition (pulling in or backing off) where as a fixed or prime lens is static. If your subject comes in too close, there's no way of backing off.
This is a big problem when shooting sports, in particular field stuff - soccer, AFL, Rugby. But prime tele lenses are fast and required.
For surfing photography - are you looking at shooting shore based, from a boat or in the water ??
Ideally you want at a minimum a 500mm for shore based.(Could get away a touch shorter if close in beach breaks)
These lenses are not cheap.
You could look at something such as a Canon 100-400 or 35-300 and use a 1.4 converter. Or even look for a 2nd hand 300mm f2.8 (There was 1 in the Quokka last week - I know the guy selling it) you could always put a 2x converter on to give you a 600mm f5.6
Sigma make some reasonable lenses at a pretty good price.. Maybe have a look at their range. From memory they do a 50-500 (a bit slow, but will give you the range)
Let me know if you need any more info..
cheers,
Paul
Mick
Posts: 501
Date Joined: 28/08/06
Cheers for the info there
Cheers for the info there guys. Question answered. The majority of the time it will be for Jakes here in Kalbarri. You are very close to the action so distance isn't too much of a problem. Also looking at shooting out of the boat and in the water eventually. I ended up buying a Nikon d5000 with a 18-55mm VR and a 55-200mm VR. So far really enjoying the whole photo thing but the more I read and look into it the more I need to spend. And I dont need another addiction. But I want it. I want it all.
Been looking at an underwater housing for it and came across the Ikelite. Around $1300 but looks like a well featured unit. Been talking to a few of the guys up here and they have said if you get a few good shots of the young sponsored guys and send them to the respective sponsors bucks could come my way. Means I can support my new habit. Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks for all the info guys.
Cheers Mick
If the lord did not mean for us to eat fish and game, he wouldn't have made them outta meat
The speed of light is faster than the speed of sound. That's why so many people appear bright...until they speak.
kaney68
Posts: 401
Date Joined: 29/07/08
no worries
No worries Mick...
I'd probably look at getting a 1.4x or even 2x converter to get you closer.. If you don't have the $$'s to get big glass at the moment.
Sure, focusing speed will drop and the image will look a bit darker in the view finder, but your images will be much tighter !!
The surf breaks up there look superb.. just need to show more of the rider rather than the wave IMO.. but either way, mix it up a little to show scale and placement
I've got a job on at Challenge Stadium tomorrow, might try and get to Trigg for a couple of quick surfing shots after if the conditions are right..
Kalbarri........hmmm... might have to make a quick holiday out of it with the family and bring my gear !!
cheers,
Paul
ody
Posts: 581
Date Joined: 30/12/06
Hi Ya, "Also looking at
Hi Ya,
"Also looking at shooting out of the boat and in the water eventually."
To be quite honest, if you have any sort of focal length, a boat will be moving far to much for you to get any photos. The slightest movement will destroy the pics. When using long focal length, you need a really stable platform. I've yet to see a boat that could be described as that relative to photography.
Cheers.
kaney68
Posts: 401
Date Joined: 29/07/08
not really
Just make sure you set a set a shutter speed of over 1/500 (to be safe) and you'll be ok !
I've had to shoot on all sizes of boats from a small rib to launches...
Pitching around trying to shoot yachts and women who want to paddle from Fremantle to Mauritius..
Obviously the smaller the boat, the more rock and roll and bit more of a challenge, but all works out well.
Sekans
Posts: 65
Date Joined: 31/01/08
Also, If you want a new lens
Also, If you want a new lens have a look for second hand, i've found that most second hand lenses are like brand new (most owners will take very good care of their glass) and can be ALOT cheaper than what you would pay new. The best places to find them seem to be online photography forums and clubs.
kaney68
Posts: 401
Date Joined: 29/07/08
This is what you really need....
This is what you really need....
http://www.outdoorphotogear.com/blog/hands-on-with-the-canon-ef-1200-f5-6l-lens-296
Don't worry about the US $120,000 price tag....
You could shoot from the comfort of your car !!!
ody
Posts: 581
Date Joined: 30/12/06
Hi Ya, that lense is
Hi Ya,
that lense is insane. you'd need three slaves to carry it around for you.
Cheers.