Telephoto vs. Zoom??

davet73 · Jan 8, 2012

Alright, I want to know a basic answer to a basic question. What is the difference between a 70-210mm f/4.5-5.6 TELEPHOTO lens and a 55-200mm f/4-5.6 ZOOM lens (minus the differences in focal lengths, if I am trying to get in the 150-200mm range, as well as price)? I would like to know the difference in the to terms. If I can shoot a shot at 150mm, why should I pick one over the other?
Thanks,
Dave

naptime · Jan 8, 2012

it is my understanding that telephoto and zoom are the same thing.

just like picture, photograph, image etc....

you say tomayto say tomahto

iresq · Jan 8, 2012

Technically/traditionally the telephoto lens has a fixed length were the zoom lens has a range of focal lengths. For the most part the biggest difference is point value when playing words with friends.

pitchblack · Jan 8, 2012

You've opened up a huge can of worms. First, telephoto means over 50mm. For instance, a 100mm f2.8 would be a telephoto. Zoom means you can adjust the focal length. Zoom can be under 50mm (wide angle zoom), around 50mm (normal zoom) or over 50mm (telephoto zoom). A 100mm-400mm is a zoom telephoto. A 16mm-35mm is a zoom wide angle.

The distance you can shoot, say 150mm, is just one aspect of a lens. Also important are are aperture (the F value) and the image quality (IQ). Canon makes three 70-300 lenses that are the same aperture, but the image quality (and price) varies significantly between them. IQ is generally made up of sharpness and contrast. If those values are low, you get dull/lifeless photos. If those values are high, you get bright photos that pop.

Robin Usagani · Jan 8, 2012

Tele means distance. So it is used for lenses that have longer reach. Zoom just means you can change the focal length. So a 16-35 is a zoom lens, but not a tele. Those 2 lenses you posted, they are technically both zoom and tele lens. What mm is considered a tele? I am not sure.. my guess is around 85mm?

Robin Usagani · Jan 8, 2012

you beat me to it. I read the thread, went to the bathroom, replied LOL. Ignore what i said.. just read this.

pitchblack said:
You've opened up a huge can of worms. First, telephoto means over 50mm. For instance, a 100mm f2.8 would be a telephoto. Zoom means you can adjust the focal length. Zoom can be under 50mm (wide angle zoom), around 50mm (normal zoom) or over 50mm (telephoto zoom). A 100mm-400mm is a zoom telephoto. A 16mm-35mm is a zoom wide angle.

The distance you can shoot, say 150mm, is just one aspect of a lens. Also important are are aperture (the F value) and the image quality (IQ). Canon makes three 70-300 lenses that are the same aperture, but the image quality (and price) varies significantly between them. IQ is generally made up of sharpness and contrast. If those values are low, you get dull/lifeless photos. If those values are high, you get bright photos that pop.

radiorickm · Jan 8, 2012

Although they are used interchangably, they really do have different meanings.

Telephoto refers to a FOCAL LEGNTH that is longer than the normal lens. It is the opposite of the wide-angle lens.

ZOOM actually refers to the ability to change the focal legnth of a lens.

You can certainly have a prime lens, single focal legnth in the telephoto range, such as the 300mm F4L

Just as you can have a zoom lens in the wide angle legnth, such as the 17-40 f4L lenses.

Hope that cleared it up a little

naptime · Jan 8, 2012

cool. So then both lenses the op posted about are actually telephoto zoom lenses.

davet73 · Jan 8, 2012

Alright, so if I am looking for something to mainly take photos at the 200mm focal length, and I have a choice between a zoom lens (and of course, I know the difference between a zoom and prime/fixed lens) and a telephoto, the two lenses that I mentioned above would almost be the same (aperture not a factor, only focal length)?

Robin Usagani · Jan 8, 2012

davet73 said:
Alright, so if I am looking for something to mainly take photos at the 200mm focal length, and I have a choice between a zoom lens (and of course, I know the difference between a zoom and prime/fixed lens) and a telephoto, the two lenses that I mentioned above would almost be the same (aperture not a factor, only focal length)?

Sigh.. I think you still don't get it after all of those explanations.

davet73 · Jan 8, 2012

No need to be an asshole.

Robin Usagani · Jan 8, 2012

You dont have a choice between a ZOOM and TELEPHOTO. They are both ZOOM TELEPHOTO.

pitchblack · Jan 8, 2012

What do you want to shoot? What is it for? Does it need to be pro quality? What is your budget? What camera do you shoot?

davet73 · Jan 8, 2012

Thanks Pitchblack and Radiorickm for your answers. That did help me. Schwettylens smart ass remark....not as much help.

davet73 · Jan 8, 2012

pitchblack said:
What do you want to shoot? What is it for? Does it need to be pro quality? What is your budget? What camera do you shoot?

As of right now, it would be for aviation photography as well as, possibly, auto racing. The problem with aviation is that I can only get so close (thanks to damn 9/11). Before that, I could use a typical 50mm with no problem as I had access. Now, nobody does.