Understanding focal length with your Nikon Quickstart cheat sheet

Nikon Team Nikon Quickstart28 aug. 20253 minuters läsning
Nikon magazine - cheat sheets focal length

Use your free downloadable cheat sheet to get to know what focal length is, how it works and how to use it for better photography and video

Nikon Quickstart is a series of Nikon magazine cheat sheets for beginners, in which we’re demystifying some of the techniques and tricks that will instantly improve your photography and video. The focal length of a lens is a vital component in image making so we’ve made it easy to understand. Download your free Nikon Quickstart cheat sheet as a handy reminder of what lenses to use for the best results in any situation and read here for a full explanation of focal length and how to use it creatively. 

 

Nikon magazine - cheat sheets focal length
1. Super telephoto: 300mm-800mm

Best for: sports, wildlife

Examples: NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRNIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S, NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S

Nikon magazine - cheat sheets focal length
2. Telephoto: 135mm-300mm 

Best for: animals, scenery 

Examples: NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

Nikon magazine - cheat sheets focal length
3. Medium telephoto: 85mm-135mm 

Best for: portraits, fashion

Lenses: NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S, NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S, NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Nikon magazine - cheat sheets focal length
4. Standard: 35mm-85mm

Best for: street, everday

Examples: NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4, NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8, NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR, NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2

Nikon magazine - cheat sheets focal length
5. Wide angle: 28mm-35mm

Best for: travel, vlogging 

Examples: NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4, NIKKOR Z DX 24mm f/1.7, NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8

Nikon magazine - cheat sheets focal length
6. Ultra wide angle 

Best for: landscapes, astro

Examples: NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S, NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8, NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S

 

Download your Nikon Quickstart focal length photography cheat sheet here. Want more? Click here to see all the Nikon Quickstart cheat sheets

Nikon magazine - cheat sheets

Focal length decoded 

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