Telephoto Lenses

A telephoto lens adds yet another interesting dimension to a photograph (see image). You cannot get as close to an object but you can get a very sharp image and a good blurred background adding interest to the image. Telephoto lenses are a bit more complicated. They have fixed length telephoto, zoom telephoto and professional series and regular lenses. I t really depends on what you are photographing that will dictate what type of lens you use and then of course money. A good regular zoom telephoto can run 500.00 + a 600mm fixed length professional series lens can run 7500.00+. This is for a 35mm camera. Of course if you are photographing birds in the wild, say small songbirds and you can afford a 600mm lens you will see a large and substantial difference in the quality between that and a 10 – 300mm regular zoom telephoto.

I used the 100mm – 300mm lens.  I hand held the lens (which I can do with the 100mm – 300mm, if I had a 600mm I would not be able to hand hold the camera).  This shot is accomplished by getting the bird as it is flying by.  You lock the bird in focus and then follow the bird.  This is called panning.  Your whole body usually moves from right to left (or left to right) but the camera is glued to your eye (because once you have the bird locked you fire away).  This is so much harder then hunting could ever possibly be.  What you will end up with is a large assortment of sky backgrounds, different bird part (beaks, feet, feathery fanny etc).  I love this shot and it is one of my favorites.  I have this one framed and have given a couple away.  When you see this framed it just pops and says wow.  Even though the image is not sharp the part of the female mallard duck that is in focus is her bright brown wings.  (Yes, I do have a few that are very sharp and clear etc but this one after thousands of images of ducks in flight is my favorite).  If you shoot with a 600mm you will definitely need a tripod with a swivel head.  I have a Toipop.