telephoto

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Describing a camera lens that makes distant objects appear closer and larger.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: a telephoto lens. It is not usually used after a verb.

   Patterns

   • telephoto lens
   • telephoto zoom

   He used a telephoto lens to photograph the birds without disturbing them.

   A telephoto lens is essential for sports photography from the sidelines.

   The paparazzi relied on telephoto equipment to get close-up shots.

2. 2nouncountable

   A lens or photograph made with a lens that magnifies distant subjects.

   Grammar: Countable; often short for 'telephoto lens' or 'telephoto shot.'

   Patterns

   • a telephoto
   • shoot with a telephoto

   She attached a telephoto to her camera for the wildlife trip.

   The final image was a telephoto taken from across the valley.

Common combinations

telephoto lens

A telephoto lens compresses the distance between objects.

telephoto zoom

This camera has a powerful telephoto zoom for close-ups.

telephoto shot

The telephoto shot captured the mountain peak in detail.

use a telephoto

You should use a telephoto to photograph animals from far away.

Synonyms and how they differ

long lens

Informal and general; 'telephoto' is the technical term for a lens that magnifies distant subjects.

zoom lens

A zoom lens can change focal length, while a telephoto lens has a long fixed focal length, though some zoom lenses include telephoto range.

Opposites

Word family

telephotography noun

The practice of photographing distant subjects with a telephoto lens.

Commonly confused: telephoto or telescopic?

Practice

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