Relation of focal length and field of view


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Lolrence

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Oct 15, 2006
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This might be a rather silly question, but does the focal length have any relation to the field of view at all?

For example, the new carl zeiss 18mm lens has a fov of 99 degrees diagonally, while a normal canon 18-55mm has a fov of 74 degrees (i assume diagonally too). If so, does that mean that even at the same focal length, I can see more with the carl zeiss lens attached?

So in that respect, the focal length is actually not the most accurate judge of how wide a lens can cover, right?
 

You have to take into account the format the lens is used on. The Zeiss is designed for Full-Frame sensors while the 18-55 is designed for APC sensors, but if you mount the Zeiss on a APC sensor body, the FoV would be roughly the same as the 18-55 at 18mm, though thats just about where the similarities of the 2 lens ends..
 

Oh ok... so with both of them mounted on the same body (or any lenses that are of the same focal length for that matter), the angle of view should be the same? (with exception for fisheyes)

Thanks :)
 

Oh ok... so with both of them mounted on the same body (or any lenses that are of the same focal length for that matter), the angle of view should be the same? (with exception for fisheyes)

Thanks :)

Yup yup.
 

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