What Does MM Mean On Camera Lens: Answered
Now, why do you need to understand what it means. More importantly, why do you need to know it, and what can you do with that information going forward?
That's going to be what we're going to be talking about today. We'll end the confusion about the mm markings on your lens then we will dive a little deeper and discuss why it's there and what you can do with that information.
You'll leave this article with more useful information than you asked for, when you showed up! Let's get started, shall we?
MM Is Directly Related To Focal Length
Whoever invented camera lenses, was a genius. Now, whoever standardized the 'name' of a lens made it kinda difficult for the beginner to understand.
No worries, we've got you on this one.
You see, mm is the way we standardize a lens. The mm of a lens is its focal length. Whether it be a zoom lens or a prime lens, the mm of that lens is its focal length.
So, What If I Wanted A Wider Shot - What Camera Lens Would I Use?
Well, the focal length for a wider shot is pretty simple really.
- The lower the mm, the wider the shot will be.
- The opposite can be said for higher numbers.
- The higher the mm, the tighter/narrower/zoomed-in look you will have.
So, What Does MM Mean On A Zoom Lens
Zoom lenses aren't much different than a prime. It works much like a prime but with different focal lengths in the same lens.
Obviously, the major difference is a lens barrel and additional elements and glass (to allow it to zoom).
You can harness the look and reach of multiple focal lengths from a single lens (saves a ton of time, money, and resources by having a good zoom lens instead of only primes).
An example would be a Canon 24-70mm F/2.8 L. This is a lens with a focal length range between 24mm and 70mm.
How Does All Of This Work Inside Of The Camera?
While it's very complicated and mind-boggling how we've developed lenses capable of taking such amazing images... how it does it isn't too hard to understand.
How the lens bends and manipulates the light that passes through it, determines overall quality .
The 'quality' at which a lens does this has a lot to do with price, as well.
Going back to MM... It's actually a measurement. MM is the distance from the point of convergence to your image sensor. The point of convergence is the point within your lens all are waves of light converge - give you your beautiful colorful images.
For example - you have a 100mm macro lens. The light that enters your lens converges 100mm away from your camera's actual image sensor.
It's this distance alone that creates different 'looks' or 'focal lengths'
Prime Lenses And Zoom Lenses - How Are They Different?
This is a loaded question - but I'm going to keep it in context with this article. We have a full-fledged article in the works that will explain, in detail, how zoom lenses and prime lenses are different.
But, zoom lenses are lenses that obviously zoom in and out. What it's doing internally is moving a glass element forward or backward (depending on the way you rotated it).
Prime Lenses On The Other Hand...
...Are fixed focal length lenses. A fixed focal length lens doesn't have a barrel/glass element inside to move back and forth. It is literally fixed and doesn't move.
These are the 35mm, 50mm, or 85mm lenses you see on the market that's just that, 50mm. They don't zoom. The point of convergence remains the same and can't be changed.
Again, we will explain the advantages and disadvantages of either camera lens in the near future.
What About Wide Angle Lenses...
Well, simply put - it can do a lot of things.
Wide-angle lenses are typically lenses that fall below 24mm. A wide-angle lens will allow you to see much more of your surroundings than telephoto lenses would (lens with a long focal length).
Telephoto lenses, on the other hand, are great when you need the reach (sports) - or when you want background compression (nice portraits).
Focal Length Recommendations
I thought it would be fitting for this article to have at least a little bit of a discussion into which focal length is the best depending on what type of photo you're taking.
Because a certain look will always come down to your lens focal length.
Also, remember, these focal lengths we're going to discuss are for a full-frame camera. Your focal length will be different if you're shooting on a smaller sensor (like a crop sensor).
24mm Is A Great Semi-Wide Focal Length
This sits right on the edge of a 'normal lens' and a wide-angle lens.
This is a great environmental focal length and should be used as such.
You should refrain from taking up-close photos of people's faces because of distortion.
Great all-around environmental/travel focal length.
50mm Is Considered The Most Versatile Of All Focal Lengths
50mm may be one of the most common, widely used focal lengths on the planet.
You wanna know why? Because it works so well at so many things.
We're talking portraits, street photography, automotive, even landscapes.
Not only that - the 50mm prime lens (all major manufacturers sell their own) is very affordable (less than $130 for a Canon) and produces amazing images.
You would never go wrong with owning a 50mm. Ever.
85mm Is The Go-To For Portraits (Even Though It's Not My Favorite)
The 85mm focal length is great for a lot of things because of the amount of compression.
As your focal length increases, compression starts to eliminate distortion. 85mm is the focal length that eliminates nearly all lens distortion on the human face.
Plus it's the focal length that allows you to move around a little bit and get the environment along with them if you wanted.
135mm The King Of Portrait Focal Lengths (In My Opinion)
I started shooting portraits years ago with an 85mm like everyone else.
It wasn't until about a year and a half ago that I purchased a 135mm f/1.8 and have never looked back.
This focal length, of course, eliminates all distortion on a subject.
You can get a 'similar' look from a zoom, but the maximum aperture doesn't go nearly as low (f/2.8) So you're losing out on that and it can be almost twice as expensive.
Canon and Nikon sell a 200mm prime lens (f/2) that takes even better photos - but you're looking at a $6000 price tag (versus ~$1400 for a 135mm).
That About Wraps It Up!
Now that was a bit of a winded article for how simple the answer was - but I thought it could only help to explain a little deeper than just a few simple words - but we sure answered your question, what does mm mean on a camera lens, right?! haha
If you have read this far - you're amazing - and it shows that you're serious about learning photography, different focal lengths, and everything in between. Good for you!
If you have any questions at all - feel free to drop us a line on either platform Facebook/Instagram.
Until next time folks, be safe and keep learning and creating!
