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Understanding Photography TABLE 1
LEARNING

(Focal lengths for the same AOV for different formats)
Format Full frame / FX APS-C / DX Micro 4/3 Typical Application
Format Format (MFT) Format

Crop Factor (1X Crop) (~1.5X crop) (2X crop)
Lens Type
Ultra wide angle < 21mm <14mm < 10mm Architecture (interiors), industrial
Wide angle 21 to 35mm 14 to 25mm 11 to 18mm Architecture (interiors and exteriors), landscape,
candid, environmental portraits, street
Normal 40 to 50mm ~35mm ~25mm General purpose use, low light, candid and
street.
Short Tele 85 to 135 mm 50 to 90 mm 40 to 55mm Portrait, table top, candid and street
Medium Tele 135 to 300 mm 90 to 200 mm 55 to 150 mm Sports with small courts, wild life
Super Tele 300 to 1000 mm 200 to 800 mm 150 to 500 mm Sports, wild life (especially small animals and birds)
< Less than; ~ Approximate

changing lenses due to the hassles or While there is some truth in this, it is possible applications. Use this as guide
dusty environments also opt for all in really not as before due to advances to arrive at a proper decision.
one lens. Unfortunately, like kit lenses, in technology and design. The picture
they are also slow and have variable quality will be better than the kit Here is one point that you should
apertures (usually f/3.5-5.6). lenses, which means that you can print bear in mind. Lenses designed for full
up to 20x30 inches. frame cameras can always be used
Super zooms meant for full frame on cropped sensor cameras of the
cameras are not popular due to their Here is one recommendation I can same mount. However, the converse
large size which is in turn due to the make based on my personal experience. is not true. Even if you use a lens
large sensor. However, they are very If you like to do a lot of travel/street designed for the smaller sensor (some
popular for APS-C cropped sensor and photography, the ideal combination is a manufacturers do not even permit this)
MFT cameras due to their compact super zoom lens combined with a fast, on a full frame camera you will see that
size (Picture 9). The most common medium wide-angle lens (like a 35mm the entire fame is not covered. This will
focal length for APS-C cameras is f/1.8 or equivalent). The former will cause your full fame camera to work
18-200mm and the corresponding cover most of the situations and the as a cropped sensor camera. It is also
numbers for MFT are 14-150mm. You fast lens will be great for interiors and important to know that whichever way
may get a doubt regarding the picture low light street photography. you may use the lens, the focal length
quality as it is commonly said that does not change. It is always the same
large zoom ratios mean low quality. With this as the background have a look as indicated on the lens – only the AOV
at Table 1. This gives the focal lengths changes when format changes – never
of various types of lenses, formats and the focal length! |SP
Picture 9: Super zoom lens. This
is an MFT lens with a focal length
range of 14-150mm which is
equivalent of 28-300mm on a
full frame. Super zooms have
complex designs both optically
and mechanically to achieve a
very compact size (left). The CONCLUSION
same lens extends considerably
(right) when set to 150mm. All text, diagrams and images © Ashok Kandimalla unless otherwise mentioned.
Despite being derided by many, kit lenses should not
be just dismissed away. They are capable of producing
decent results, far better than many of their owners
realise. However, every lens has limitations and you
Smart Photography February 2018 may someday want to go for something faster, wider
or longer. This article will help you to cut through the
maze and take a good decision.

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