Wide angle lenses are vital pieces of equipment for photographers across various disciplines. The wide-angle lenses allow photographers to capture immersive fields of green, vast starry nights, and even something closer to home, like a client's living room, all while making the space feel large and expansive.
A wide angle lens has a focal length of 35mm or shorter, giving you a larger field of view and enabling you to fit more into the frame. Wide-angle lenses allow you to capture more of a scene than a typical camera lens would allow so you can add more contextual background to your image while still focusing on the subject.
There are a few types of wide-angle lenses, including:
- Ultra-Wide Angle Lens: considered focal lengths under 16mm.
- Wide Angle Lens: ranges from 16mm to 24mm.
- Standard Wide Angle Lenses: range from 24mm to 35mm.
When you're choosing a wide angle lens, you'll have a choice between prime and zoom lenses. Prime wide angle lenses have a fixed focal length and are generally lighter and more cost-effective. You can also find wide-angle zoom lenses that provide a range of focal lengths in one lens. Popular wide-angle zoom lenses include the 10-18mm, 12-24mm, and 16-35mm.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Focal Length Is Considered a Wide Angle Lens?
A wide angle camera lens has a focal length of 35mm or shorter. This gives you a wide field of view and more space to catch stunning scenery. If the lens has a focal length of less than 24mm, it's considered an ultra-wide angle or fisheye lens.
What Brands of Wide Angle Lenses Are Popular?
Many people like to choose a wide angle lens from the same manufacturer that made their camera body. As a result, Sony, Nikon, and Canon wide angle lenses are all very popular. However, Zeiss, Tamron, Sigma, and Hasselblad wide angle lenses are also very popular.
Are Wide Angle Lenses Suitable for All Types of Photography?
While wide-angle lenses are versatile, they are not suitable for all types of photography. For example, they may not be the best choice for portrait photography as they can distort facial features. However, they excel in capturing landscapes, architecture, and other scenes where a large field of view is desired.
Can Wide Angle Lenses Be Used for Video?
Yes, wide-angle lenses can be excellent for video work, especially for vlogs, travel videos, and scenes where you want to capture a broad field of view. The expansive angle allows for more of the environment to be included, offering context to the viewer.
Can Wide Angle Lenses Capture Macro Shots?
While wide-angle lenses are not designed for macro photography, some have a relatively close minimum focusing distance that allows for capturing subjects at a close range. However, they won't offer the same level of detail as a specialized macro lens.
What Is a Fisheye Lens?
A fisheye lens is an extreme form of an ultra-wide-angle lens, usually with a focal length of 8mm to 15mm on a full-frame camera. These lenses create a distorted, spherical view of the world, which can be artistically interesting but is not to everyone's taste.
How Do I Avoid Distortion in Wide-Angle Photography?
Distortion is a common issue in wide-angle photography, particularly around the edges of the frame. Some cameras offer built-in distortion correction, and post-processing software can also correct this.
