Taking Photos with a Telephoto Lens

If you have a digital SLR camera then you can take photos by using a telephoto lens. A telephoto lens is a special type of lens which allows you to get up close to the subject without having to move.

Lenses

A compact digital camera cannot have different lenses fitted, this is because it does not have an adapter for additional lenses. You will only be able to use telephoto lenses with digital SLR cameras. Your compact camera may, however, feature a telephoto mode.

What Does a Telephoto Lens do?

A telephoto lens works in a similar way to a telescope. These make distant objects appear much closer. Telephoto lenses are available in a wide range of different sizes. Any lens with a focal length over 50mm can be called a telephoto lens. Normally the smallest zoom telephoto lens has a focal length of at least 70mm.

The bigger focal length of the lens will mean that it's got much more powerful magnification. Telephoto lenses are ideal for photographing wildlife when you can't get close enough with a standard lens. Few people would like to stand close to a lion when they could just as easily stand 50m away with a telephoto lens!