Lens Distortion

[Barrycdog]

Expired Image Removed

I have no knowledge of photography but I wondered if this was an issue for those of you who do?

 

[reading48]

There is a definite difference ....

 

[AndyHall]

It's a consideration when taking a photo -- there are times when one wants that close-up distortion effect, and times when one doesn't. Know that a 200mm focal length is a zoom lens, and the photographer may have been 30 or 40 feet away when shooting it.

 

[28thNewYork]

Basically, the shorter the lens (smaller the "mm" number), the more the distortion (not the possible clarity) in the image. A 50mm film SLR lens is usually considered a "good" portrait lens. Non-fullframe digital cameras can use a shorter lens than in "film" and obtain the same amount of distortion. Other factors such as depth of field, length of exposure, and film speed can also effect image quality and clarity, but the lens is usually the primary factor in image distortion. With a digital camera, "auto" control, and a moderate range zoom lens, almost anyone these days can take a good picture.

 

[Patrick H]

As Andy says, it's a consideration when taking a photo. For professional purposes, various lens effects are used deliberately. You see these effects daily in print, on television, and on your computer, without realizing that a good photographer or art director planned things that way. For amateur purposes, the various lens effects are something that can cause unintended consequences. The best advice I can give you is to shoot multiple photos of your desired scene whenever possible, previewing them in your screen (assuming a digital camera) and adjusting as necessary. Then, of course, practice and more practice will help you predict what lens effects you will have with various zooms and wide angle settings, combined with distance from subject. It really can't be explained in detail in a thread such as this. People study for entire semesters learning to use lenses in journalism and art schools. But, digits can be thrown away at no cost, so just take your camera out and practice repeatedly at every lens setting and distance you can imagine. Shoot EVERYTHING in multiple ways. Keep notes. Then note the results. Pretty soon, you'll be able to get the effect you want predictably...and without much effort.

 

[Old Hickory]

Depends on the format. A 50mm lens is considered standard for a 35mm film SLR, while an 85mm is standard for medium format 6x6-6x7cm.

A good portrait lens for a 35mm would be around 80-135mm while a portrait lens for a medium format would be around 135-200mm. These longer lens are used to keep the photographer at a comfortable distance from his subject yet provide good results in the finished portrait.

Basicly a standard lens,(50mm for a 35mm camera and an 85mm for medium format) see pretty much what the human eye sees. Shorter lens begin to give a bubble or fish eye look progressively while a longer lens may begin to slightly make the subject look narrower.