by UrMessage

Created on: January 02, 2010

A short discussion of Telephoto lenses

What is a telephoto lens? A telephoto lens can be a medium used in both worlds of cameras and camcorders. The lens itself has a longer than normal focal length lens where the lens is actually smaller than the focal length. There are similar lens that mimic some of these properties, but on truce common factor for all telephoto lenses is that they all incorporate telephoto group lens.

When was the telephoto lens formally recognized and who was named the developer? Thomas Dallmeyer is typically seen as the official originator of the telephoto lens way back in 1891. Others have been credited with the idea and early copies, but Thomas Dallmeyer typically wins the prize.

The telephoto lens is typically credited with the effect of making an object at great distances appear larger or magnified. This effect can be achieved with other lenses but does not have the same perspective, therefore a telephoto lens is preferred since you can stand in one spot, and create several images and perspectives. This effect can also create the blur background feel, magnifying a specific object and washing out everything else.

Another great feature is that you can keep a constant “subject” size. In other words, you can stand in one location and slowly zoom in taking dozens of pictures of the same object while the “subject” remains the same size. For example, if in the picture a box is 1” tall, you would imagine that zooming in or out would change the height of the subject, well with a telephoto you can distort it so that the box stays the same relative size in all the images while the background zooms in or out. It is an amazing perspective that can generate some amazing shots.

World’s Largest Telephoto lens: Of course, if you have any knowledge in anything photographic or cinema graphic, you have heard the name of Carl Zeiss. His name can be found on millions of camera and camcorder lenses by all brands big and small. Of course, you can find his name on cheap cameras, his real quality lies in other pastures. This massive lens was developed for long range shots, most notably wildlife. It has an amazing 21z magnification and weighs an astonishing 500+ lbs. It is not something that can be easily thrown in a back pack and taken up Mount Everest. It has a 1700mm focal length and f/4 speed. This commissioned work is like nothing before, incorporating servos and technology from other fields to create one of the most amazing lenses ever seen. Of course, don’t look for this on your supermarket shelf - if you want one, expect to pay more than you make in a life time.

In the end, telephoto lens can bring out the beauty of nature from a distance. Allowing you to get up close and personal with the subject matter without disturbing it. Creating breathtaking never before see images that literally jumps out at the viewer. A good telephoto lens is a must for any avid photographer.

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