Wide Angle vs. Telephoto Lenses: Which Should You Choose?

Why I Like Telephoto Lenses

Header Image Photographed By Sally Mann

Longer focal lengths are perfect for bringing far-off objects and settings closer. There's a condensed, richer sense of detail in images shot on telephoto that you can rarely replicate with a wide lens.

From the trials of Zambia on an African Safari to local studio portraits and stylized shoots, the photos crafted on my 70-200mm EOS Canon or 80mm lenses have always been a favorite.

No matter the backdrop or subject, the beautiful bokeh and soft backgrounds create a near hyper-realistic scene I treasure. Captured on my Canon digital and a range of film cameras, I perpetually gravitate toward showcasing the tele-forward galleries for the portfolio.

Important to note: my portfolio of work circulates human emotion, intimate details, and frames of sentiment unique to tighter scenes. I hardly shoot street sets or large landscapes that require a much broader perspective. My portrait work, lifestyle grabs, and even settings set outdoors derive from a unique view of my preference: tighter, creamier, and almost ethereal cacophonies of frozen time.

I hardly find myself with a wide lens on the camera, simply because I don't find the need to if I don't want to.

Technicalities & Use Cases To Consider:

For technicalities, "telephoto" is used informally to refer to lenses with a restricted field of view that are longer than 80mm. They are separated into three groups:

• Short telephoto lenses have focal lengths between 85mm and 135mm and are ideal for daily usage due to their portability.
• Medium telephotolenses have focal lengths between 135mm and 300mm, which can be heavier than short telephoto lenses.
• With focal lengths above 300mm, super telephotolenses have magnifying power akin to a telescope but are too hefty for handheld shooting.

A deep depth of field is required if you want the entire scene in focus, as most wide lenses come with a lower aperture suitable for adequate exposure in any lighting condition. Telelenses are often manufactured with much higher apertures, making achieving an adequately focused image in softer light more challenging.

Comparisons & Examples

Many photographers I admire also imitate these similar sentiments with tighter focal lengths and shallower depth of fields.

Intel from LargeFormatPhotograph.com suggests that Sally Mann used a Rodenstock 300mm f5.6 APO-Sironar-N lens for her large-format photography. It's reasonably apparent Mann used longer ultra-tele lenses to provide depth to her most notable projects; you cannot quickly achieve her level of pure chasm without one.

My favorite Instagram follow, Pia Riverola, sports gorgeously warm tones and, you guessed it — depth. Similar to the famous and recognizable works of an old-timer, Willem Eggleston.

Notice the textures and their nostalgic-like tone; each frame's profoundness extends beyond its pictured subject matter, almost as if you're wondering what's beyond the composition.

The images exude a sense of absolving mystery, defiance against the rules, and idiomatic design.

Below are images captured by the Mamiya 645 medium format camera with an 85mm lens, or my Canon 70-200mm, across various digital and SLR camera bodies. Each frame is labeled with the corresponding setup. I look forward to utilizing even longer lenses in the future, much like Mann's haunting negatives.

In Conclusion

Gone are the days when photography rules remain relevant.

After a decade of method, patience, and endurance in this ever-evolving industry — the best tool for any artist is the one they love the most. For me, it's a set of particular lens lengths, aperture settings, and camera bodies that I know will better embolden my visions than others.

If you prefer the fisheye for funky fashion portraits and street scenes under sunny skies — go for it.

Sometimes, it's healthy to branch into the unknown or uncomfortable.

However — creating stunning results through practice, trial and error, and varied gear to find the recipe you like is equally a part of the creative process.

💌 There's More!

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