Zoom vs Telephoto

[martinez_81]

Hi all,
Can someone tell me what is exactly the difference between Zoom and Telephoto lenses in terms of specifications and application?

Thanks

 

[The_Traveler]

telephophoto implies a long focus lens that makes objects appear closer.
eg telescope, telephone, etc.

zoom lens is a lens that changes focal lengths - can be ultra-wide to wide, wide to normal, normal to medium telephoto, etc.

 

[Garbz]

Before anyone asks there are reasons that you would pick a fixed telephoto lens over a zoom lens. Fixed focal lenses can often be made with very wide apertures, and are typically shaper and otherwise better performing than their zooming counterparts.

 

[DSLR noob]

Telephoto just means long (focal length, not physical lens length) Zoom mena sit has more than one focal length

 

[martinez_81]

Thanks for the advice. So basically telephoto are tailor-made for only one focal length, whereas zooms can vary, for example 75-300, etc?

Cheers for that:thumbup:

 

[The_Traveler]

It's more like

how it works - zoom (changing focal lengths) and prime (one focal length)
how it sees - wide angle - normal - telephoto