Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

What type of lens has a focal length longer than a normal lens?

1. Macro lens

2. Standard lens

3. Wide angle lens

4. Telephoto lens

The correct answer is: Telephoto lens

A telephoto lens is defined by its longer focal length compared to a normal lens, which usually has a focal length around 50mm on a full-frame camera. Telephoto lenses typically have focal lengths starting at around 70mm and can extend well beyond that, making them ideal for capturing far-away subjects. This characteristic allows photographers to achieve magnification and a narrower field of view, which is beneficial for wildlife, sports, and portrait photography where distance from the subject is often required. In contrast, macro lenses are specialized for close-up photography but do not necessarily have longer focal lengths than a normal lens, while standard and wide-angle lenses both have focal lengths that are shorter or similar to that of a normal lens. Understanding these distinctions helps photographers select the appropriate lens for their desired photographic outcomes.