Get More From Your Zoom Lens

Using a zoom is pretty self explanatory however over the years I’ve found the following three best practices greatly improve my experience with this type of lens. Although this advice applies to all types of zooms, it’s really geared toward the standard 24-70mm that almost everyone has used and owned at some point.

Most zooms will have markings for specific focal lengths on the barrel. These focal lengths will typically be the common ones such as 28, 35 and 50mm. On my Fuji 16-55 they would be 16, 23, 35 and 55. I suggest picking one and leaving it in that setting for a while. Not only will this allow you to see if you like that specific focal length but it will also stop you wasting time zooming in and out if you see something happen quickly. To go a step further, you can set a specific focal length when you feel a better one is suited for a particular environment you’re in. For example if you’re shooting in a tight market, perhaps leaving the lens in 28mm will result in less missed shots. Think of it like a prime where you can select a focal length.

If you’re unsure what focal length you want to use then I suggest leaving the camera in the widest one possible. In most cases it would be either 24mm or 28mm. It’s much easier to spot an opportunity, then zoom into it than the other way around. If you’re at 28mm and the frame you need is at 50mm, you can still see it and know when to stop zooming. However if you start at 70mm and need a 35mm shot, then it will not be as efficient. Also you don’t know what you don’t see. So if you started at 70mm, you might only zoom out to 50mm because it looks ok, however the best composition was at 35mm but you didn’t take it because you didn’t see it.

Finally don’t be lazy! Just because you can zoom in, doesn’t mean you need to stay in the same spot (unless you have no choice obviously). Treat your zoom like a prime and move around the scene. Zooming in with your lens is not the same as walking closer to the subject so keep moving around.