Camera lenses can offer a photographer or filmmaker various options when shooting under certain conditions. Each lens can have a different focal length, aperture and other characteristics.
Significance
Understanding the difference between camera lenses can help a photographer or filmmaker achieve a desired result. Different types of light and environments can affect a photograph, therefore making a certain type of lens ideal for capturing the right kind of image.
Function
Camera lenses affect how the light reaches the film of a camera, and manipulating how much light enters the camera can change the look of the captured image. The focal length affects how light is focused and diffused; the shorter the focal length, the greater the depth of field. The aperture is the hole through which the light enters the lens; the smaller the hole, the more light is needed and the shallower the depth of field will be.
Types
There are three basic types of lenses: normal, telephoto, and wide angle. Normal lenses usually have a 35mm to 70mm focal length, telephoto lenses have a 70mm or higher focal length, and wide angle lenses have 35mm or lower focal length. There are also zoom lenses and prime lenses. Zoom lenses allow the lens the change focal lengths and prime lenses are set at a particular length.
Effects
Each lens affects the image differently. A telephoto lens creates a shallower depth of field, which makes subjects in the foreground and background seem closer, as well as blurring out the background more. Wide angle lens can make a space seem larger and objects farther apart, and a lot more tends to be in focus.
Considerations
Which lens is best depends on several variables, including how much light is available and what is being photographed. For spaces with less light or large subjects, a shorter focal length and larger aperture are ideal. For subjects that are small or at a distance, a greater focal length is best.
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