Lens

DSLR and compact system lenses have lenses that can be changed. Most compact cameras have a lens that can’t be changed but which can zoom.

Focal length is the zoom setting of the lens e.g. 24mm is a focal length. You can see the focal length on the outside of your lens.

Shorter focal lengths e.g. 18mm are called wide angle, they allow you to get more into your photo.

Longer focal lengths e.g. 200mm are called telephoto. They make the subject appear closer.

Zoom lenses have a range of focal lengths that enable you to zoom out to get more into your photo or zoom in to make you subject bigger in the frame. The lens on most entry-level cameras has a zoom range of 18mm to 55mm.

An 18-55mm zoom lens has a focal length that is quite wide angle to moderate telephoto.

Prime lenses have a fixed focal length which can’t be changed. They are usually smaller than a zoom lens though and provide excellent image quality, plus a large maximum aperture.

Focal length changes the relative size of things in your photo.

This photo was taken using a focal length of 35mm. On an entry-level camera this gives a normal angle of view, which is the same as you see it with the naked eye

This photo was taken using a wide-angle focal length of 14mm. You can see that the foreground looks large in comparison to the people and the background who look small and further away.

This photo was taken using a 200mm lens, which is a telephoto focal length. The scooter riders look relatively close together and of a similar size, even though they are at different distances from the lens.