Choosing the right lens can completely change the way your video or photo looks. This quick guide explains the differences between wide-angle, telephoto, and fisheye lenses and when to use each.

Wide-Angle Lenses

• Focal length: Usually 16-50mm
• Field of view: Captures a large scene in a single frame
• Use for: Landscapes, classrooms, group shots, or when you want to show a lot of context
• Effect: Objects appear farther apart, and edges may stretch slightly

Tip: Great for cramped spaces because you can fit more into the shot without backing up.

Telephoto (Higher Focal Length) Lenses

• Focal length: 70mm or higher
• Field of view: Narrow; zooms in on distant subjects
• Use for: Sports, wildlife, interviews, or any shot where you can’t get physically close
• Effect: Compresses depth, making background and foreground appear closer together

Tip: Requires steady hands or a tripod.

Fisheye Lenses

• Focal length: Typically around 8–16mm
• Field of view: Ultra-wide, often 180°
• Use for: Creative effects, immersive shots, extreme perspectives, or 360° capture setups
• Effect: Distorts the image, curving straight lines and exaggerating scale

Tip: Fun for dramatic or artistic shots, but not ideal for standard portraits or professional-looking video.

Helpful Tips

• Always consider your space and subject before choosing a lens
• Use wide lenses for tight rooms, telephoto for distant subjects, fisheye for creative or immersive effects
• Check your camera’s crop factor as smaller sensors make lenses appear more zoomed in
• Experiment! The more you try different lenses, the better you’ll understand their effects