35MM zoom

[EVAN III]

   With all the different zoom lenses I don't know what does what. Can someone explain in a languge I can understand? I'm used to scope and bino stuff, such as 8X and 3X9. If a tele-converter is 2.0X does that mean it's like a 2X power scope, or does it mean it will increase a 200 mm lense to 400 m? Also what is 200 and 400 mm lense, is it like 2X and 4X power? Any other info will help also.

                       Thanks
                            EVAN III
 

 

[spectr17]

There is a formula I saw somewhere Evan that converts 35mm lenses to optical zoom x rating.

I know my 10x optical zoom lens on my digital Olympus 2100 camera is equivalent to a 380mm tele lens on a 35mm SLR camera according to my camera op manual. Basically a 2x tele lens is 2 times the OPTICAL zoom in digital camcorders and digital cameras. So a 5x optical lens on a digital camera would be like hanging a 180mm tele lens on a 35mm SLR camera.

Digital zoom is a whole nother creature in digital cameras and is done by enlarging the pic digitally which makes it grainy. This is why most people don't pay attention to a camera's digital zoom rating and most don't use it.

Clear as mud right?

 

[billkay]

Just to add a little more mud.... a 200mm lens for a 35mm film camera is considered a normal telephoto length.  A 2X converter will double that length to 400mm; doubling the magnification, but at the cost of 2 stops of light.  Meaning you need 4x the amount of light either through decreasing your shutter speed or opening your apeture by 2 stops, or a combination of both.  Increasing your film speed is another alternative to make up the difference.  As difficult as it sounds, a good auto camera will do all this for you if you point it in the right direction.

 

[EVAN III]

   Spectr17 and billkay,

  Thanks for the replies, I had to put on the hip waders, but I think I caught what your saying.*LOL*  Anyway, Thanks alot.

                       EVAN III