Fisheye lens, Macro lens & Wide angle lens

[duy_le]

<p>Im just a newbie and this is very basic question could someone please advise what the differrences between those lens & when exactly I could use them!<br>

Many thanks.</p>

[colin carron]

<p>A fisheye lens is one which gives a very wide angle of view (up to 180 degrees) but distorts staright lines into curved lines. They are something of a novelty lens and great for the occasional shot but after a while most people find they become a bit repetitive in look.</p>

<p>The wide angle lens does what it say - takes a photo over a wide angle of view. ( 70 - 90 degrees or more) would be typical. The difference between the wide angle and the fisheye is that the wide angle keeps straight lines looking straight - otherwise known as 'rectilinear'. These lens are used for landscape, architecture and many other things.</p>

<p>Macro lenses are for close up shots. They allow you to take pictures of insects and other small things.</p>

[brucecahn]

<p>Macro is for closeups. A wide lens is generally used in these situations: when you can't back up any more to get the whole thing in, when you want more depth of field (deeper area in focus), when you want the emphasis on the foreground, when you want distortion. A fisheye is a specialty, very wide lens that produces intentional distortion. It is used for effect. </p>

[duy_le]

<p>Thanks! I suppose that a Cannon EF 70-200mm F2.8 L USM is a wide angle one then what should we call a Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM?<br>

By the way, do you know what is "EF", "L", "USM" and "70-200mm"? Has anyone got some kind of glossary for these symbols?</p>

[jim_momary]

<p>Please spend some time in the learning tab (see top of page in blue) to flesh out what you want to know.<br>

Here's a pnet article on lenses that's what you are asking ...<br>

<a href="../equipment/building-a-lens-kit/">http://www.photo.net/equipment/building-a-lens-kit/</a><br>

The learning area is a truly invaluable tool.<br>

Good Luck.<br>

Jim M.</p>

[alan_olander1664878205]

<p>"I suppose that a Cannon EF 70-200mm F2.8 L USM is a wide angle then"<br />No, it's a short telephoto zoom. The 85mm is a short telephoto fixed focal length (prime) lens. With DX cameras, lenses with a focal length less than 35mm or so would be considered wide-angle. An example would be the Sigma 10-20mm. For full frame (FX) cameras, focal lengths less than 50mm or so are considered wide-angle like the Canon 17-40mm. "Normal" focal lengths would be 35mm to 50mm, telephoto would be focal lengths greater than those, depending on sensor size (DX or FX).</p>

[William Michael]

<p>Specifically:</p>

<blockquote>

<p><strong><em> </em></strong><br>

<strong><em>“I suppose that a Cannon EF 70-200mm F2.8 L USM is a wide angle one”</em></strong></p>

</blockquote>

<p>No. The Ca<strong>n</strong>on 70 to 200 F/2.8 L USM is a <strong><em>telephoto zoom</em></strong> lens:<br>

<strong><em>telephoto</em></strong> because it is like a telescope and brings the subject closer;<br>

<strong><em>zoom</em></strong> because it can zoom in and out thus making the subject much closer or just a little bit closer.</p>

<p>The 70 to 200 at work: <a href="../photodb/folder?folder_id=937529">http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=937529</a></p>

<p>***</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p><strong><em>“then what should we call a Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM?”</em></strong></p>

</blockquote>

<p>This is a <strong><em>Prime Lens</em></strong> (not a zoom lens). It has only one focal length – it cannot zoom.</p>

<p>It is also a telephoto lens.</p>

<p>Lenses, in regard to their focal length, are described as: telephoto; or normal; or wide angle depending upon the format of the camera.</p>

<p>Referring only to Canon DSLR’s and two of teh formats available (APS-C and 135 format) e.g. a 40D and a 5D respectively:</p>

<p>A normal lens on a 40D is about a 35mm lens, or 28mm lens, bit on a 5D it is a 50mm lens. A normal lens “sees” about the clear angle of view of the human eye.</p>

<p>So just pause and think for a moment: a 28mm or 35mm lens when placed on a 5D is a moderate wide angle lens. And a 50mm lens on a 40D is a short or moderate telephoto lens<br>

<br /><strong><em> </em></strong><br>

<strong><em>***</em></strong><br>

<strong><em> </em></strong></p>

<blockquote>

<p><strong><em>“By the way, do you know what is "EF", "L", "USM" and "70-200mm"?”</em></strong></p>

</blockquote>

<p>EF = refers to the LENS MOUNT, the coupling of the lens to the camera. EF is the standard mount of the EOS Camera System</p>

<p>“L” = refers to Luxury – and designates a series of lenses of high quality.</p>

<p>“USM” = refers to Ultra Sonic Motor and the Auto Focussing system of the lens.</p>

<p>“70 – 200” = refers to the Focal Length limits of the zoom lens.</p>

<p>***</p>

<p>The EF85: <a href="../photo/10963089&size=lg">http://www.photo.net/photo/10963089&size=lg</a></p>

<p>The EF15mm Fisheye: <a href="../photo/10291472&size=lg">http://www.photo.net/photo/10291472&size=lg</a></p>

<p>The fisheye on two differnt formats: <a href="../photo/10291473&size=lg">http://www.photo.net/photo/10291473&size=lg</a></p>

<p>The 100F/2.8 Macro: <a href="../photo/10163213&size=lg">http://www.photo.net/photo/10163213&size=lg</a></p>

<p>The 100F/2.8 Macro, was used to make the image of the Lizard, who lives under my front steps: <a href="../photodb/user?user_id=2223148">http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=2223148</a></p>

<p>WW</p>

[duy_le]

<p>Thanks everyone for all of the answers! It's clear for me now.</p>