What is the telephoto setting?

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The telephoto setting on a camera is colloquially understood as a large zoom. In fact, the telephoto setting creates a different starting position for the light and how it falls on the sensor. The telephoto setting is therefore first of all a change in the focal length.

Telephoto lenses are often larger and heavier than wide-angle lenses.
Telephoto lenses are often larger and heavier than wide-angle lenses.

Telephoto setting on a camera

  • The telephoto setting describes the focal length of a lens. The concept of setting comes from compact cameras on which a permanently installed lens should cover the entire focal length range from wide-angle to telephoto. An electronic zoom can then be used to switch from the wide-angle setting to the telephoto setting.
  • Wide angle and telephoto are the opposite poles and stand for certain focal length ranges. A wide angle is usually used for focal lengths between 24-35mm (35mm equivalent), everything below that counts as super wide angle or fisheye. It also describes the maximum angle that can be mapped, based on the camera.
  • On the other hand, one speaks of a telephoto from approx. 100mm focal length. Everything in between is called the normal focal length. There are also telephoto lenses with a focal length of 800mm, there are hardly any upper limits (a telescope can also be called and used as a telephoto lens).
  • Colloquially, a subject is "brought closer" with the telephoto setting. You "zoom" the subject closer to you in order to be able to depict it larger.

When is the telephoto setting useful?

  • You will mostly use the telephoto setting when something you want to photograph is very far away. The classic use of large telephoto lenses is wildlife photography, that is taking photos wild animals in natural surroundings. Since you cannot get close to the animal, use a telephoto lens with a very large focal length to still be able to image the animal in full format.
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    If you do not let your digital camera automatically adjust the focal length ...

  • Telephoto settings also have other effects. With the same distance to the subject and the same aperture setting, a strong telephoto setting ensures greater blurring in front of and behind the focal plane. Therefore, light telephoto focal lengths (85-105mm) are often used for portraits.

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