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Chapter 6: Problem 28

Your camera may have a zoom lens, ranging between wide angle (short focal length) and telephoto (long focal length). How does the size of an object in the camera's focal plane differ between wide angle and telephoto?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Objects appear smaller with a wide-angle lens and larger with a telephoto lens.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Focal Length

Recognize that the focal length of a camera lens determines the field of view. A short focal length (wide angle) captures more of the scene, while a long focal length (telephoto) magnifies a narrower portion of the scene.
02

Object Size at Wide Angle

With a short focal length (wide angle), objects appear smaller in the camera's focal plane because a larger area is captured within the frame. This means the size of the object takes up a relatively smaller portion of the image.
03

Object Size at Telephoto

With a long focal length (telephoto), the lens focuses on a much narrower area, making objects appear larger in the camera's focal plane. This magnification makes the object take up a larger portion of the image.
04

Compare the Two

Summarize the difference: At wide angles, objects are smaller due to the broader view; at telephoto, objects are larger due to the narrower view but increased magnification.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

wide angle lenses
Wide-angle lenses are designed to capture a broad field of view. They have short focal lengths, usually less than 35mm. This characteristic allows them to include more of the scene within the frame, making them ideal for landscapes, architecture, and group photos.
When using a wide-angle lens, objects within the camera's focal plane will appear smaller compared to other lenses. This happens because you're capturing a larger area of the scene in one image:
  • Excellent for capturing expansive views.
  • Great for photos where you want to show the environment or context surrounding a subject.
However, keep in mind that wide-angle lenses can sometimes cause distortion, making the edges of the image look curved or stretched.
telephoto lenses
Telephoto lenses are designed for capturing a narrow field of view and have long focal lengths, typically 70mm or more. These lenses are perfect for photographing distant subjects, such as wildlife or sports events, by bringing them closer in the frame.
With telephoto lenses, objects in the camera's focal plane appear larger due to the magnification effect. This makes the objects occupy a more significant portion of the image. Here are some key points about telephoto lenses:
  • Excellent for isolating subjects in a scene.
  • Ideal for portrait photography to create a shallow depth of field and blurred background.
However, these lenses can be heavy and might require a tripod for stability to avoid blurry images from handshaking.
magnification
Magnification in photography refers to how large an object appears in the image compared to its actual size. The lens's focal length plays a crucial role in magnification.
Wide-angle lenses (short focal length) provide low magnification because they cover a larger area, making objects appear smaller. In contrast, telephoto lenses (long focal length) offer high magnification by focusing on a smaller area, making objects appear larger.
Consider these points about magnification:
  • Low magnification is useful for fitting more of the scene in one shot.
  • High magnification is beneficial for detailed views of distant subjects.
Both types of magnifications have their applications, so understanding them will help you choose the right lens for your photography needs.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Consider two optically perfect telescopes having different diameters but the same focal length. Is the image of a star larger or smaller in the focal plane of the larger telescope? Explain your answer.

T/F: In the past, astronomers placed telescopes in highflying aircraft in an effort to rise above the water vapor in Earth's atmosphere.

Match the following properties of telescopes (lettered) with their corresponding definitions (numbered). a. aperture b. resolution c. focal length d. chromatic aberration e. diffraction f. interferometer g. adaptive optics (1) two or more telescopes connected to act as one (2) distance from lens to focal plane (3) diameter (4) ability to distinguish close objects (5) computer-controlled atmospheric distortion correction (6) rainbow-making effect (7) smearing effect due to sharp edge

The speed, wavelength, and frequency of gravitational waves are related as \(c=\lambda \times f\). If we were to observe a gravitational wave from a distant cosmic event with a frequency of 10 hertz (Hz), what would be the wavelength of the gravitational wave?

The martian rover Curiosity can move across the landscape of Mars at speeds of up to \(4 \mathrm{cm} / \mathrm{s}\). In contrast, our typical walking speed is about \(4 \mathrm{km}\) per hour \((\mathrm{km} / \mathrm{h})\) a. How long would it take Curiosity to cross a soccer field \((110\) meters ) b. How long would it take you to walk the same distance?
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