Absolute Beginner's Guide to Digital Photography

48 ABSOLUTE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TODIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

FIGURE 4.3

A “normal”

focal length of

150mm for a

large format

camera is extra

long on a

35mm!

The difference between what is considered a normal focal-length lens for each type

of camera is described in Table 4.1.

Table 4.1 Normal Focal Length Lenses for 35mm, Medium-Format, and

Large-Format Cameras

For this type of camera... A normal focal-length lens is...

35mm 50mm

2 1/4×2 1/4 (6×6cm) 75mm

4''×5'' 150mm

Usage varies somewhat. For example, lenses from about 40mm to 58mm are also

referred to as normal focal lengths for a 35mm camera.

A lens of normal focal length has certain advantages over lenses of longer or shorter

focal length. Normal focal length lenses have the following characteristics:

■ Faster. They open to a wider maximum aperture, so they can be used with

faster shutter speeds or in dimmer light than lenses that do not open as wide.

■ Less expensive. The lenses are the least expensive of all lenses because they

are manufactured in such large quantities.

■ More compact. Normal focal length lenses are often the smallest lenses

available. If you’re traveling with a 35mm camera, a 50mm is a must-have.

■ Lighter. These lenses often weigh less than even wide-angle lenses!

What you choose for your lens suite is a matter of personal preference, however.

Some photographers habitually use a shorter focal length because they want a wide

angle of view most of the time; others prefer a longer focal length that narrows the

angle of view to the central objects in a scene. If you have a 35mm camera, a 50mm

lens is a good focal length to start.