telephoto lens

noun

Photography.

1. a lens constructed so as to produce a relatively large image with a focal length shorter than that required by an ordinary lens producing an image of the same size: used to photograph small or distant objects.

telephoto lens

/ ˈtɛlɪˌfəʊtəʊ /

noun

1. a compound camera lens in which the focal length is greater than that of a simple lens of the same dimensions and thus produces a magnified image of a distant object See also zoom lens

Word History and Origins

Origin of telephoto lens¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

A telephoto lens offers higher resolution, while a wide-angle lens allows a larger field of view.

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Sometimes she was using a short lens when she should have been using a telephoto lens and vice versa.

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Sporting a telephoto lens with her camera, Philbin now can identify individual whales from their fins and tails and is second to Muul in sorting sighting tips and sending alerts.

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As I didn't want to risk disturbing the potoo into flight, I photographed it with a long telephoto lens.

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But they set aside for me this new camera she owned with a telephoto lens.

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