Short Description
Wide angle refers to the minimum focal length offered by the cameras lens. A short focal length provides wide
angle shots allowing a wider field of view to be captured. The smaller the focal length the wider the shot. If you
halve the focal length you double the width that can be captured. For example a 15mm photo will be twice as wide as
a 30mm photo.
Wide Angle Photo Example
The following photo illustrates the differences in how much 15mm 18mm and 24mm focal lengths capture of a given
scene relative to a neutral 50mm focal length. As you can see the wide angle focal lengths permit the photographer
to capture a significant amount more.
wideangle Vancouver Cityscape at 15mm

The following photo of Vancouver taken on a
5d MkIIat 15mm illustrates the
different levels of wide angle focal lengths vs a neutral 50mm focal length. Original photo by
The Real
Darren Stone
Why Use a Wide Angle
Abandoned church at 18mm

This photo demonstrates the perspective a wide-angle lens offers. While still fitting in the entire
scene the short 18mm focal length emphasizes the church against the background. Photo by
Kansas
Poetry.
Cameras that are good at wide angle photos can be useful for capturing wide landscapes, taking group photos in
tight spaces, architectural photos and much more. Wide angle lenses permit you to get very close to your subject
while still capturing the background around them. Being able to get so close to your subject makes them very big
and creates impact. Wide angle lenses provide artistic possibilities that are not possible with longer focal
lengths. The longer the focal length the smaller the relative difference between foreground and background, this
means if you really want to emphasize the subject a wide angle lens is the way to go.
Wide Angle Compact Digital Cameras
The following are great digicams with wide angle lenses.
Discussion
Showing 5 comments