Zooms

Zoom lenses have the ability to change their focal length within a designed range. Typically the range of focal lengths is indicated as for example 24-70 mm,  indicating that any focal length between the limits can be chosen. The focal length of a zoom lens is usually changed by rotating a control ring on the lens (‘zoom ring’) although some lenses use a push-pull control where the focusing ring is pushed forward or pulled toward the camera (instead of rotating)

While flexible, zoom lenses tend to have some weaknesses:

  • zooms are bulkier than primes.
  • zooms tend to be less sensitive to light, necessitating longer a shutter speed or higher sensitivity.
  • zooms can not be optimised for every focal length in the range. Therefore zooms tend to be at their best at some focal length, while others are less optimal.
  • therefor zooms tend to not have the same level of image quality as a comparable prime lens.
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