The Long Lense League

[boBQuincy]

To clear up a very common misconception, "reach" is what long lenses offer. Perspective compression is a factor (and *only* a factor) of the relative distances between the camera and picture elements. If I had taken the photo of Cindy's castle with a 50mm and used editing software to zoom in on the central portion of the image the perspective would be identical to the 200mm, this has been proven many times.

The difference is I would have had to zoom in quite a bit and most of the frame would have been outside my area of interest (not to mention the pixelation from zooming), hence the need for reach and the need for a long lens. What the long lens gives us is the ability to fill the frame with what we are interested in.

Point #2: a 200mm is a 200mm even on most crop dSLRs. Why? Because almost all dSLRs use the same lens mounts and dimensions as their full frame counterparts. This allows use of the full line of lenses but also locks in the magnification of the lens to be the same as on a FF. Yes, the angle of view is narrower but the magnification (which is what we use a long lens for) is identical.

This may seem trivial but by knowing how long lenses work may also help to clear up "why" and "when" to use a long lens (or a wide angle lens). Once we have visualized the image and how the subjects relate within it *then* we can decide what lens we need to fill the frame with what we want to keep.

 

[handicap18]

200mm shot from the last row of the 100 section, 25 rows up I believe:

Next time I go I'm bringing my 70-300mm lens. Had NO problems at all bringing in my camera bag. Quick check at security, that was about it.

 

[WDWFigment]

^I understand your point, but If I'm using the lens in such a manner that I intentionally move backwards and zoom in to achieve the effect of perspective compression--regardless of whether this could also (poorly) be done by an editing program--what does it matter what you call it?

I'm probably in the minority here in not caring, and this is just because I am somewhat averse to the technical side of photography.

 

[handicap18]

Here's one at 130mm taken with the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR that I rented last year and will be renting again in November. Charity hockey game with the Boston Bruins Alumni.

Former Bruin and NHL Hall of Famer Brad Park:

 

[vandort]

Sony 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 lens at AK this August--

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Sigma 70-200mm @ 200mm


IMGP2876 by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr


IMGP2899 by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr


IMGP2795 by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr


IMGP2780 by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr

 

[Jamian]

Canon EF 70-200 f/4L IS:
From the TTC:

 

[TheGoofster]

 

[Suburbanmom]

Drum line

Nikon D300; ISO 200; f/2.8; 1/80 at 200mm

 

[cpbjgc]

200 mm Exposure:1/2500 at f/4.5 ISO 100

 

[mabas9395]

Both sons age 11 and 13 on the same football team. Having a long lens has made the shots from the stands seem like I'm right on the sidelines.

Shot at 500mm f/6.3 1/1600 sec

 

[SC Mouse Fan]

Here is the view from our seats. Upper deck row N. These are taken with a Nikon D90 and Tamron 18-270mm lens.

Shot at 18mm f11 1/400

Shot at 270mm f6.3 1/800

Sometimes it comes in handy to have the reach of a long lens.

 

[Jamian]

Kepler Cascades, Yellowstone National Park:

 

[zackiedawg]

I love big teles for getting incredibly detailed, count-the-feathers closeups when I'm out birding, not to mention the shallow DOF and creamy backgrounds...here are a few from my 300mm F4 APO:

 

[DizzyV6P]

I love my Canon 70-200 f/4L

 

[BorisMD]

Cocoa Beach 70-200 f/4 L IS at 200 f/10

I'm trying to decide if I should crop out the horizon

 

[TheGoofster]

 

[tjl1388]

It's football season baby!! Most of these are with the good ole 18-200VR

 

[boBQuincy]

Blue Angels @ 200mm - Jacksonville Beach

 

[MarkBarbieri]

A few shots from the arboretum this morning. Canon 7D with 300mm f/2.8.