Telephoto

Telephoto lenses are optical systems with long focal lengths (typically 70mm and above) that magnify distant subjects, making them appear closer and larger in the frame. These lenses are characterized by their compression effect, which visually reduces the apparent distance between objects at different distances from the camera, creating a flattened perspective that can be highly flattering for portraits or dramatic for landscapes. The narrow angle of view isolates subjects from their surroundings by eliminating distracting backgrounds and delivering a shallow depth of field that blurs backgrounds when using wide apertures. Telephoto lenses are essential for wildlife, sports, and event photography where photographers cannot get physically close to their subjects. They range from moderate telephotos (70-135mm) popular for portraits to super-telephotos (300mm+) used for wildlife and sports.