When you’re stepping into the world of photography, certain tools can elevate your game, and telephoto lenses are one of them. They bring distant subjects closer, making them essential for wildlife, sports, and landscape photography. Whether you're new to telephoto lenses or looking to refine your skills, this guide is tailored to help you master the art of using them.
What Is a Telephoto Lens?
A telephoto lens is a specialised type of camera lens crafted to bring distant objects closer. With a longer focal length—usually starting from 70mm and beyond—this lens lets you photograph faraway subjects with stunning clarity and detail, making it an essential tool for photographers who want to capture what’s out of reach.
What sets a telephoto lens apart is its ability to compress space in your image. Unlike standard lenses, it alters the relationship between the background and foreground, making them appear closer together. This unique compression effect gives your photos a distinct look and feel, drawing attention to your subject while beautifully blurring the background.
Whether you’re snapping a majestic deer in the forest or freezing the action of a footballer mid-kick, a telephoto lens helps you isolate your subject and focus the viewer’s eye exactly where you want it. It’s a game-changer for those moments when you need to bridge the gap between distance and detail.
Common Mistakes with Telephoto Lenses
Using a telephoto lens can feel a bit challenging at first, but with practice and attention to detail, you’ll quickly gain confidence. To help you get started, here are some common mistakes people make when using telephoto lenses—and tips on how to avoid them:
Camera Shake
One of the first hurdles with telephoto lenses is dealing with camera shake. These lenses magnify not just your subject but also any small movements of your camera. Even a slight hand tremor can result in blurry images.
To prevent this, consider using a sturdy tripod whenever possible, as it will keep your camera stable. If a tripod isn’t practical, enable your camera’s image stabilisation feature, which can help reduce the impact of movement. Additionally, practice steady handholding techniques, such as keeping your elbows tucked in and using your body as support.
Poor Focus
Focusing accurately can be a challenge, particularly with moving subjects like wildlife or sports. Many beginners rely on manual focus, but it can be difficult to achieve sharp results quickly in fast-paced situations.
Switching to continuous autofocus (AF-C) can make a big difference. This mode allows your camera to track moving subjects, keeping them sharp as they move through the frame. It takes some time to master, but once you’re comfortable, you’ll find your photos look much crisper and more professional.
Ignoring Depth of Field
Telephoto lenses are known for their shallow depth of field, which can create stunning background blur (bokeh) but also make it easy to accidentally blur parts of your subject. For instance, you might focus on a bird’s beak while the rest of the bird appears out of focus.
To avoid this, pay attention to your aperture settings. A wider aperture (e.g., f/2.8) will create more blur, while a smaller aperture (e.g., f/8 or f/11) will increase the depth of field, keeping more of your subject in focus. Experiment with different settings to understand how they affect your shots.
Overpacking Gear
Telephoto lenses are often bulky and heavy, which can make them cumbersome to carry, especially during long shoots or when travelling. This extra weight can leave you feeling exhausted and less inclined to take your time framing shots.
To avoid this, opt for lighter, more compact telephoto lenses, such as a 70-300mm model, which balances portability and performance. A comfortable, padded camera strap or backpack can also help distribute the weight and make carrying your gear less of a burden.
Creative Shots with Telephoto Lenses
Looking to stretch your creative limits with a telephoto lens? These versatile lenses offer so much more than just zooming in on distant subjects. Here are a few imaginative ways to use your telephoto lens and add a unique flair to your photography:
Isolated Subjects
One of the most striking features of a telephoto lens is its ability to compress the background and foreground. This effect naturally draws attention to your subject, making it stand out. Whether it’s a lone tree in a vast field or a person in a busy street, the lens helps you create clean, uncluttered compositions that are visually striking. Play around with angles and positioning to find the perfect balance in your frame.
Silhouettes
For a dramatic and artistic touch, use your telephoto lens to capture silhouettes during sunrise or sunset. The long focal length allows you to frame your subject perfectly against the glowing sky, creating bold and eye-catching shapes. Try photographing tree branches, birds, or people in profile for added impact. The key is to position your subject between you and the light source, ensuring a sharp outline against the vibrant colours of the sky.
Abstract Details
Telephoto lenses are fantastic for uncovering the hidden details in faraway scenes. Zoom in on interesting textures or patterns, like the rugged ridges of a mountain, rippling waves on the sea, or even architectural elements in a cityscape. By focusing on these details, you can create abstract, almost painterly images that offer a fresh perspective on familiar subjects. Experiment with your framing and play with shadows and light to enhance the visual appeal.
Tips for Taking Care of Your Telephoto Lens
Investing in a telephoto lens is no small expense, so taking good care of it is essential to ensure it stays in top condition and delivers sharp, beautiful images for years to come. Here are some simple but effective tips for maintaining your lens:
Clean Regularly
Dust, smudges, and fingerprints can easily build up on your lens, affecting the clarity and quality of your photos. To keep your lens spotless, use a microfibre cloth for gentle cleaning and an air blower to remove any particles without scratching the glass. Avoid using harsh cleaning agents or tissues, as these can cause damage. Make cleaning a regular part of your photography routine, especially after outdoor shoots.
Protect the Glass
The front glass element of your telephoto lens is vulnerable to scratches, which can ruin your shots. A simple way to protect it is by attaching a UV filter. Not only does this guard against scratches, but it also shields your lens from dirt, water, and other environmental hazards. A UV filter is much cheaper to replace than a damaged lens, making it a wise investment.
Store Safely
Telephoto lenses are delicate and need to be handled with care, especially during travel. Always store your lens in a padded case or a dedicated camera bag with proper compartments. This protects it from accidental bumps and drops. Ensure the lens cap is securely attached when it’s not in use to prevent dust or scratches. For added protection, consider a lens pouch or a wrap for extra cushioning.
Avoid Moisture
Humidity and moisture can be harmful to telephoto lenses, potentially causing internal fogging or even mould. If you’re shooting in damp or humid conditions, use a weather-sealed lens whenever possible. After shooting, store your lens with a silica gel pack in your camera bag to absorb excess moisture. If your lens gets wet, wipe it gently with a dry, soft cloth and let it air out in a dry environment.
Telephoto Lenses for Sports Photography
If you’re capturing fast-paced action, a telephoto lens is essential. Whether you’re photographing a thrilling football match, a cricket game, or surfers riding the waves, these lenses allow you to get up close to the action from a distance, without getting in the way. To make sure you don’t miss any key moments, it’s important to choose a lens with the right features. Here’s what you should look for:
Fast Autofocus
When shooting fast-moving subjects, such as a footballer racing towards the goal or a sprinter at the starting line, quick and accurate autofocus is crucial. A telephoto lens with fast autofocus helps you track these fast movements without losing focus on your subject. This means you won’t end up with blurry photos when your subject is in mid-action, like kicking a ball or leaping over a hurdle. The quicker the autofocus, the more likely you are to capture that perfect moment in sharp detail.
Wide Aperture
Low light can be a challenge during evening games or indoor sports, but a wide aperture (such as f/2.8 or f/4) can help you get the results you need. A wide aperture lets in more light, allowing you to use faster shutter speeds to freeze movement without introducing blur. This is especially important for shooting in dimmer conditions, such as under stadium floodlights or in a gym. The wide aperture also creates that desirable background blur (bokeh), helping your subject pop out of the frame, while keeping the action as clear and focused as possible.
Image Stabilisation
Even the steadiest hand can cause a bit of shake when shooting handheld, particularly with a long telephoto lens. This is where image stabilisation (IS) comes in handy. IS helps to reduce the impact of camera shake, keeping your images sharp even when you’re following fast-moving subjects or shooting at slower shutter speeds. This is especially useful when you don’t have a tripod or monopod to stabilise your camera, allowing you to capture sharp, blur-free action shots with more ease.
Focal Length of 200mm or More
When shooting sports or fast-paced action from a distance, you’ll need a lens with a focal length of at least 200mm to get in close to the action. Lenses with this focal length allow you to zoom in on players or athletes without having to move closer to the scene. A popular choice for many sports photographers is a 70-200mm zoom lens, which gives you the flexibility to adjust your framing as the action unfolds. For situations where you need even more reach, such as photographing surfers at the beach or capturing distant athletes on the track, consider lenses with a longer focal length, like 300mm or 400mm.
Why Choose a Telephoto Lens for Action Photography
For sports like football, cricket, or surfing, a telephoto lens gives you the best chance to capture sharp, impactful images. It allows you to isolate your subject, bringing the action closer while creating a dramatic effect. The combination of fast autofocus, a wide aperture, and image stabilisation will help you shoot confidently in dynamic environments.
Whether you’re tracking a fast-moving ball, capturing an athlete mid-air, or snapping a cyclist speeding down a road, a telephoto lens with these key features is a must-have for action photography. By investing in the right lens, you’ll ensure your photos are sharp, dynamic, and packed with the energy of the moment.
Landscape Photography with Telephoto Lenses
Though wide-angle lenses are often the first choice for landscape photography, telephoto lenses offer a whole new way to see the world and can add a unique touch to your photos. If you’re looking to explore different perspectives and create dramatic, striking images, here’s how telephoto lenses can work wonders for your landscape shots:
Compressing the Scene
One of the most powerful features of a telephoto lens is its ability to compress the scene. This means it makes objects that are far apart—like distant mountains, trees, or hills—appear much closer together. It creates a flattened, almost surreal effect, which can turn a regular landscape into something quite dramatic. By bringing distant elements closer, you can emphasise the scale of certain objects, creating a powerful visual impact. For example, you might take a photo of a mountain range, where the layers of mountains look stacked on top of each other, adding depth and texture to the shot.
Focusing on Details
Telephoto lenses excel at zooming in on specific details within a landscape. They allow you to isolate parts of the scene and capture finer elements, such as a lone tree standing against a backdrop of hills or the texture of a cliff face. This makes telephoto lenses perfect for capturing smaller, often overlooked features of a landscape without distractions. Instead of the wide expanse of a valley, you can focus on a particular part of the scene, making it stand out in the composition. This approach works especially well when you want to highlight the beauty of an isolated subject in a vast landscape.
Shooting in Harsh Light
Landscape photography often means dealing with harsh lighting, particularly during midday when the sun is high and creates strong contrasts. Telephoto lenses can help you manage this by allowing you to isolate your subject and control the frame. By zooming in on a specific part of the scene, you can avoid the harshest light and focus on areas where the light falls more gently. For instance, instead of photographing an entire sunlit mountain range, you might zoom in on a shaded section or a specific feature that’s lit more evenly. This gives you more control over how light interacts with your subject, making it easier to create images with balanced tones and less blown-out detail.
Telephoto vs Zoom Lenses: What’s the Difference?
Many people often confuse telephoto lenses with zoom lenses, but they’re not the same thing. While both types of lenses allow you to change the framing of your shot, their designs and intended uses are quite different. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right lens for your photography needs.
Telephoto Lenses
A telephoto lens is specifically designed for capturing distant subjects. These lenses either have a fixed focal length (prime) or a longer-range zoom. A fixed focal length means the lens has one set zoom, such as a 200mm or 300mm, while a longer-range zoom can cover a range of telephoto focal lengths, like a 70-200mm lens. Telephoto lenses are ideal for photographing subjects that are far away, like wildlife or sporting events, as they allow you to magnify distant objects and bring them closer without disturbing them. Their ability to "compress" the scene and make objects appear closer together also makes them popular for certain creative and landscape photography styles.
On the other hand, a zoom lens is any lens that can adjust its focal length. Unlike a telephoto lens, which is specifically designed for distance, a zoom lens doesn’t necessarily have to be a telephoto. For example, a 24-70mm zoom lens is a versatile lens that covers a wide to mid-range focal length, but it’s not considered a telephoto lens because its maximum focal length (70mm) isn’t long enough to magnify distant subjects. In contrast, a 70-200mm zoom lens is considered a telephoto lens because it offers a long focal length range that is ideal for capturing faraway subjects with clarity and detail.
Telephoto Lenses for Wildlife Photography
Capturing wildlife in its natural habitat is one of the most rewarding yet challenging types of photography. The key to successful wildlife shots lies in being able to observe animals without disturbing them, and that’s where a telephoto lens becomes your best friend. These lenses allow you to keep a respectful distance while still capturing incredible details. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your telephoto lens when photographing wildlife:
Use Silent Shutter Modes
Wildlife can be incredibly sensitive to noise, and the sound of your camera's shutter can startle animals, causing them to flee or behave unnaturally. Many cameras have a silent shutter mode, which eliminates the click sound, helping you remain discreet while shooting. By using this setting, you can capture animals without them noticing, allowing you to snap those candid moments without disrupting their behaviour. This is especially useful when photographing shy or skittish animals, like birds or deer, where even the slightest noise can cause them to run off.
Opt for Lenses with Weather Sealing
Wildlife photography often takes you into unpredictable and harsh conditions—think rain, snow, or dusty environments. To protect your gear and ensure it performs well in these challenging conditions, it’s wise to opt for telephoto lenses with weather sealing. These lenses are built to withstand moisture, dust, and other elements, allowing you to shoot in all types of weather without worrying about damaging your lens. Whether you’re out in the wilderness during a rainstorm or shooting in the heat of summer, a weather-sealed lens provides the durability you need to focus on capturing the perfect wildlife shot.
Be Patient
One of the most important aspects of wildlife photography is patience. Animals don’t follow a schedule, and the perfect shot often requires waiting for the right moment. You might spend hours in one spot, observing and waiting for the subject to come into focus or do something interesting. A sturdy tripod can be incredibly helpful here, providing stability for your camera while you patiently wait. It also prevents hand fatigue from holding a heavy telephoto lens for long periods. Bring along some snacks, a comfortable seat, and a lot of patience. In wildlife photography, it’s not just about taking pictures—it’s about taking your time to connect with nature and capturing fleeting moments that others might miss.
Choosing the Best Telephoto Lenses
When it comes to choosing the best telephoto lens, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The right lens for you depends on your specific needs, whether you’re into wildlife photography, sports, or landscape shots. Budget is another key factor to consider, as telephoto lenses can vary greatly in price. To help guide you, here are some top picks from leading brands that are highly recommended for different photography styles.
If you’re a Canon shooter and are into wildlife or sports photography, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM is a fantastic option. With a versatile 100-500mm zoom range, this lens allows you to capture distant animals or athletes in great detail. The lens also features image stabilisation (IS), which is crucial for handheld shots at long focal lengths. Though the aperture range is on the narrower side, the performance and sharpness, particularly for Canon's mirrorless cameras, make it a top choice for those who want quality without breaking the bank.
For Nikon mirrorless camera users, the Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is a high-quality, professional-grade lens that performs exceptionally well for both sports and portrait photography. With a fast f/2.8 aperture, it excels in low-light conditions, allowing you to shoot in various environments without sacrificing sharpness. Its Vibration Reduction (VR) helps reduce camera shake, especially when shooting handheld at longer focal lengths. If you’re looking for a reliable, high-performance lens for your Nikon mirrorless system, this one won’t disappoint.
For Sony users, the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS is an excellent telephoto zoom lens that’s perfect for capturing distant subjects, whether you’re photographing wildlife, landscapes, or sports. With a 200-600mm zoom range, it offers plenty of reach, allowing you to photograph subjects far away while maintaining sharpness and detail. The Optical SteadyShot (OSS) image stabilisation helps prevent motion blur, even when shooting handheld at longer focal lengths. It’s an ideal choice for those looking to maximise their Sony mirrorless camera’s potential while keeping the budget in check.
Final Thoughts
Telephoto lenses open up a whole new world of possibilities in photography. Whether you’re capturing the elusive movements of wildlife or composing breathtaking landscape shots, these lenses allow you to bring distant subjects into sharp focus, offering a unique perspective that can’t be achieved with standard lenses. For amateur photographers or travel enthusiasts, experimenting with a telephoto lens can truly transform the way you see and shoot the world around you.
Take the time to get to know your lens—understand its strengths, limitations, and how it behaves in different lighting conditions. Practice as often as you can, and don’t be afraid to push your creative boundaries. Whether it’s trying out new compositions, capturing small details, or experimenting with the compression effect, the telephoto lens is incredibly versatile. Embrace the challenges that come with using a telephoto lens, like focusing on moving subjects or managing depth of field, as these will only help you grow as a photographer.
With the right care—such as regularly cleaning your lens and protecting it from the elements—and a bit of creativity, your telephoto lens will soon become an indispensable part of your gear. Whether you're shooting wildlife on safari, capturing sports action, or isolating the beauty of a remote landscape, a telephoto lens can help you see the world in a whole new way and take your photography to the next level. So, don’t hesitate to experiment and embrace the potential that this powerful tool offers.
For more tips and inspiration on photography, don’t forget to check out my other blog posts for even more insights and ideas that will help you improve your skills and capture stunning images. Your journey with a telephoto lens will be full of exciting discoveries and endless creative opportunities.
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