How to Compare Telephoto and Zoom
Zoom and telephoto are often used interchangeably to describe camera lenses that are used to get photos of distant subjects. However, there is a distinct difference between the two: a telephoto lens magnifies distant objects like a telescope, while a zoom lens is simply one with an adjustable focal length. A zoom lens may or may not also be a telephoto lens.
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Instructions
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Choose a telephoto lens if you don't want to include anything but your subject in the photograph. A telephoto lens has a long focal length, which means that the field of vision is very narrow and the depth of field is shallow.
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Use a zoom lens if the background and periphery is important. A zoom lens has a varying focal length, which allows a wider field of vision and more depth of field for some photographs.
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Opt for a telephoto lens if your subject is far away and you can't or don't want to move closer because your presence might be disturbing. For instance, telephoto lenses are usually used to take photographs of wildlife.
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Attach a zoom lens if you want to take photographs in a variety of situations. Because zoom lenses are adjustable, they can take the place of several regular (or prime) lenses. Most modern cameras come with zoom lenses as standard equipment.
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Tips & Warnings
A telephoto lens is simply a lens with a long focal length, so you can see and photograph distant subjects. Zoom lenses are adjustable lenses, and some can be adjusted to telephoto focal lengths. However it isn't practical to keep a telephoto lens on your camera all the time because it's unwieldy.
